Chemist

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

At the State of Indiana, we don't just talk about diversity and inclusion-we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

About the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH):

The Indiana Department of Health's mission is to promote, protect, and improve the health and safety of all Hoosiers so that they can reach their optimal health regardless of where they live, learn, work, or play.

Role Overview:

In this role you will serve as the senior level Chemist in the Indiana Department of Health Chemistry Laboratory. You will prepare and analyze samples for a range of contaminants such as nutrients, opioids, radionuclides, metals, and pesticides. You will perform a highly complex chemical analysis on environmental, food or clinical matrices to determine the level of contaminants or toxic substances using sophisticated instrumentation in compliance with EPA, FDA, or CLIA requirements.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Perform chemical and physical analysis on various clinical, food, water, environmental or other submitted materials to determine presence and/or level of contaminants or toxic substances using a variety of instruments using management approved procedures.

• Perform analysis using manual or automated instrumentation that meets CLIA, EPA, FDA and/or USDA regulations.

• Adhere to Quality Assurance guidelines.

• Maintain proficiency and technical expertise by passing Proficiency Testing (PT) samples.

• Maintain instrumentation in working order, perform preventative maintenance, and repair on laboratory equipment.

• Complete all required paperwork, maintain instrument logbook, prepare technical reports, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Maintain a safe and uncluttered work area.

• Train and cross train on other analytical procedures within the laboratory.

• Meet testing personnel responsibilities according to the standard for any clinical testing.

• Initiate original applied research activities in the specialty area.

• Maintain instruments in working order; performs preventive maintenance and repair on laboratory equipment.

• Serve as technical expert to other agency staff in a specialty area and regarding analytical results of samples and the analytical systems used.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirement to be considered for employment:

• Bachelor's degree in a biological, physical or life science from an accredited college or university.

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the role of an analytical chemist. A Master's Degree in Science may substitute for one (1) year of experience. A PhD in Science may substitute for two (2) years of experience.

• Broad knowledge of principles and practices of analytical, clinical, food, organic, inorganic or radiochemistry.

• Specialized knowledge of related scientific areas such as physics, statistics, biochemistry, and toxicology.

• Extensive technical knowledge of, and ability to operate, highly specialized laboratory equipment

• Practical knowledge of laboratory safety.

• Knowledge of appropriate state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and policies relative to the specialty area.

• Ability to evaluate procedures and make critical comparisons of methods.

• Ability to appear in court as an expert witness.

• Ability to record technical data and produce reports in a highly regulated setting

• Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to follow quality assurance requirements for producing accurate and defensible data.

• Ability to keep current on new developments in the field and determine relevance to scope of work.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities

• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match

• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid new parent leave

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Group life insurance

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.

The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.

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