Chemist II

Agency : Environmental Protection Agency

Closing Date/Time: 07/02/2024

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/24) $6,005 monthly; Full Range $6,005 - $8,678 monthly.

Job Type: Salaried

County: Sangamon

Number of Vacancies: 1

Plan/BU: RC062

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Posting Identification Number 39052

Please upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licenses you possess to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application.

Note: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency must verify and have proof of higher education and coursework (if applicable) for any degree earned before any offer can be extended.

• Answer all questions thoroughly-DO NOT STATE SEE RESUME*

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Division of Laboratories, Quality Assurance Unit, Springfield Combined Laboratory is seeking to hire a Chemist II to serve as Assistant Quality Assurance Officer (A-QAO). The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, detailed, and possess the ability to adapt to change in a collaborative, fast paced environment. The ideal candidate will also need to be able to communicate effectively verbally, electronically and in writing with both internal and external stakeholders.

The benefits of working at the EPA include a 37 ½ hour work week, a generous salary and benefits package (paid time off for vacation, sick or personal leave, holidays) pension and other retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and insurance eligibility on day one (medical, dental, vision, and life). We invite all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Function 1

45% 1. Serves as Assistant Quality Assurance Officer (A-QAO) within the Division of Laboratories, in the Springfield Combined Laboratory, Quality Assurance Unit, participating in and performing critical Quality Assurance tasks:

• Performs annual review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory methods and provide/present updates as needed for revisions.

• Internal Audits as scheduled or as assigned.

• Tracking, preparation and updating of Method Detection Limits, as directed.

• Tracking, preparation and updating of Initial and Ongoing Demonstrations of Capability, as directed.

• Tracking, preparation and follow up of Corrective Action Reports, as directed.

• Tracking, preparation and updating of calibration records for Laboratory Support Equipment, such as Balances, Pipets and Thermometers, as directed.

• Trains lower level analysts on issues impacting data quality.

Essential Function 2

25% 2. Performs complex analyses of environmental samples of parameters on methods from State and Federal Programs including Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and other such programs.

• Independently performs complex analyses of environmental test results obtained from the operation of highly sophisticated laboratory equipment capable of extremely low-level detection. (e.g., a nanogram or less)

• Prepares standards and reagents and/or monitors as specified by SOPs and methods.

• Processes and interprets data, entering results into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and processes the data packet for secondary review by another analyst.

• Maintains Demonstration of Capability (DoCs) for select laboratory methods as directed or assigned.

• Reviews data packages (as a Secondary or Peer Reviewer) certifying that the analysis is performed in accordance with the SOP and method specifications, including all Quality Control (QC) requirements and acceptance criteria.

• Analyzes and passes Proficiency Test (PT) Samples for select methods or as directed.

• Monitors that all appropriate data processing details, including instrument tuning and maintenance, auxiliary equipment and standard/reagent traceability are documented in the data packet, appropriately electronically linked and/or in a logbook.

• Maintains Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) data as it relates to Quality Assurance (QA) /Quality Control.

Essential Function 3

15% 3. Participates in maintaining the Agency laboratory national accreditation with the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) Institute (TNI) and the US EPA.

• In the preparation of external assessments in support of national accreditation requirements.

• In the development and preparation of response reports to external assessments from national accreditation bodies.

• Monitoring calibration requirements within the lab.

• Documenting control requirements within the lab.

• Meeting traceability requirements within the lab.

Essential Function 4

10% 4. Provides Laboratory Support Functions as required.

• Performs oversight of the sample preparation and receiving process as it relates to QA/QC as specified in the SOP and accreditation standards.

• Participates in annual review and revision of the Laboratory Quality Management Plan.

• Serves as the backup Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database administrator.

• At the direction of the Lab Manager, attends meetings at off-site locations representing the lab.

• Travels in performance of duties.

Essential Function 5

05% 5. Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Specialized Skills

Of the (1) one year of required experience; requires (1) one year of experience participating in internal audits of methods and procedures used to analyze environmental samples; in review of SOPs for laboratory methods and providing/presenting updates for revisions; in utilizing the USEPA Drinking Water Manual, NELAC and TNI standards as applied to accreditation of laboratories for the analysis of environmental samples; in performing complex analyses of environmental samples obtained from the operation of highly sophisticated laboratory equipment capable of extremely low-level detection (e.g., a nanogram or less) oversight of the sample preparation process as it relates to Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) as specified in the SOP's and accreditation standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires completion of four years of college, including at least 32 semester hours in chemistry from a recognized college or university, supplemented by one year's professional experience in the practice of analytical chemistry.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers at least (1) one year of experience participating in internal audits of methods and procedures used to analyze environmental samples.

• Prefers at least (1) one year of experience in review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory methods and provide/present updates as needed for revisions.

• Prefers at least (1) one year of experience in USEPA Drinking Water Manual and the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) Institute (TNI) standards as they apply to accreditation of laboratories for the analysis of environmental samples.

• Prefers at least (1) one year of experience in performing complex analyses of environmental samples obtained from the operation of highly sophisticated laboratory equipment capable of extremely low-level detection. (e.g., a nanogram or less)

• Prefers at least (1) one year of experience in performing oversight of the sample preparation process as it relates to Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) as specified in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and accreditation standards.

• Prefers at least (1) one year of experience with the TNI accreditation standards.

• Prefers working knowledge of quality assurance and quality control requirements as it applies to environmental analytical methods.

• Prefers ability to solve complex problems that requires research and collaboration with others.

• Prefers ability to prepare and present technical scientific reports.

• Prefers completion of the TNI Basic Assessor Training Course.

Employment Conditions

• Requires a valid and current appropriate drivers' license.

• Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.

• Requires ability to attend seminars, conference, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics to the job duties.

• Requires ability to pass a name-based background check.

• The condition of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: 8:30AM - 5:00PM Mon - Friday

Work Location: 825 N Rutledge St, Springfield, Illinois, 62702-4956

Agency Contact:

Joe Mercier

Email: Joseph.Mercier@illinois.gov

Phone #:217-785-2361

Job Family: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

This position DOES contain "Specialized Skills" (as that term is used in CBAs).

Agency Statement: The mission of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is to safeguard environmental quality, consistent with the social and economic needs of the State of Illinois, so as to protect health, welfare, property and the quality of life. IEPA works to safeguard the states natural resources from pollution to provide a healthy environment for its citizens. By partnering with businesses, local governments and citizens, IEPA is dedicated to continued protection of the air we breathe and our water and land resources.

The IEPA does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent IEPA employment, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the "Apply" button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees - a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.

Non-State employees should log in on the using the "View Profile" link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com - click "Application Procedures" in the footer of every page of the website.

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