Chemist III

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

• Job Posting closes: July 1, 2024
• Required documents uploaded by: July 1, 2024

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State's Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External)

• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary: Regular

• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)

• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Hourly Pay Range: $26.29 - $27.61
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

• Sick & Vacation leave

• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

• Fitness Centers in select locations

• Employee discounts with the STAR Program

• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0245927)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a Chemist III opening in Topeka. The Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories is seeking an experienced chemist to perform organic analytical testing using GC, GCMS, for analysis of pesticides, volatiles, disinfecting by products in water and soil. Specific method training will be provided.

Job responsibilities: Public Drinking Water and Environmental Monitoring

• Analyze samples from Public Water Systems to ensure they are meeting the Safe Drinking Water requirements. These samples are analyzed for Volatile Organic Compounds, Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds and disinfectant by products. In addition, raw water samples such as ground water or surface water and soil samples are analyzed for Volatile Organic Compounds to support the environmental monitoring programs of the State of Kansas.

Must be able to follow written SOP's, Test Methods and EPA methods as defined.

Responsible for compliance data review and reporting as required by the State and US-EPA.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Provide technical leadership and guidance in the organic unit, in the analysis, extractions and sample preparations of pesticides, herbicides, volatiles, disinfection by-products. Perform peer reviews on reported data. Assists supervisor in reviewing daily operations to assure efficient, timely, and accurate chemical analysis and assists in the evaluation and performance of staff as needed. Use EPA Drinking Water Certification knowledge to provide additional support and leadership.

Performs and conducts the highly complex chemical analyses for PNAs, phthalates and adipates in drinking water by EPA Method 524.3 using the advanced instrumental technique of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Using the same instrumental technique this individual also performs confirmation of organic contaminants and pollutants in a variety of matrices. Provides technical skill and leadership in this area and assures a high degree of operational capability. Prepare reports, including analysis of quality assurance data for the method listed above. Assure that EPA lab certification for VOC's or THM's in drinking water is maintained by performing acceptably on Performance Evaluation Audits.

Qualifications

• Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a Natural Science field with a minimum of 25 hours chemistry.

• Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a Natural Science field with a minimum of 25 hours chemistry.

• Two years of experience in chemistry.

• Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry.

• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

Recruiter Contact Information

• Name: Ashley Webb

• Email: Ashley.webb@ks.gov

• Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.

• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page.

*This information is included on all your job applications.

• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.

*This information is included on all your job applications.

• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

• Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

• Email - sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

• Notifications - view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How to Apply for a Job

• Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job

• Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers

• My Job Applications page

• Transcripts
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.