Transportation Chemist - Kanawha

Nature of Work

Disclaimer-this position will be considered classified-exempt and "at will." The Transportation Chemist in this position reports to the Materials, Control, Soil, & Testing Division in Kanawha County. Under general supervision of the Environmental & Coatings Section supervisor, performs professional work at the basic full-performance level in testing and analyzing samples of materials by utilizing American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) test methods to determine physical and chemical compositions of samples and to assure compliance with the Specifications and related Materials Procedures (MPs).

Work is reviewed by a higher level chemist and/or the group supervisor through observation of skill and technique. May be exposed to hazardous or unknown substances. Conducts field review of coatings projects to investigate and resolve coatings related problems. Work could be performed outdoors in adverse weather conditions and on rough terrain, and around moving machinery. Performs other duties as required.

A valid driver's license is required. Pay Grade 16

• Performs standardized test procedures requiring a wide variety of manual and instrumental analyses
• Performs qualitative and quantitative analysis of a variety of agricultural products such as meat, food, and pesticides to determine safety and compliance with standards
• Analyzes water samples and wastewater samples to determine safety compliance and the presence of harmful organic and inorganic pollutants
• Collects and analyzes air samples; analyzes samples by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and associated techniques
• Analyzes and tests reports on hazardous waste management
• Recommends issuance of permit for the disposition of chemical materials
• Operates a variety of standard chemical laboratory equipment, such as spectrophotometer, atomic absorption photometer, PH meter, gas chromatograph, and extractors
• Calibrates and maintains test equipment by following prescribed procedures
• May perform analysis and tests of materials used in construction or in determining the effect of construction projects on the environment
• May perform standard tests on medical specimens using fluorometric methodology and related procedures
• The work involves treating a variety of conventional problems, questions, or situation in conformance with established criteria.
• Travel may be require; therefore, a valid driver's license is required.

• Knowledge of the theoretical principles of analytical chemistry
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, equipment, and terminology
• Knowledge of instrumental procedures and techniques in gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, flame photometry, and related procedures
• Knowledge of a variety of conventional procedures including titration, extraction, purification, and other related procedures
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to analytical work and substance usage standards
• Ability to carry-out complex laboratory techniques
• Ability to determine test adaptation or modification needed and acceptable in specific situations
• Ability to perform complex test sequence analysis, verify data, interpret findings, locate and independently correct routine problems, and maintain accurate test records
• Ability to prepare laboratory test reports

REQUIRED TRAINING/EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major in the basic or natural sciences and eighteen (18) semester hours or twenty-seven (27) quarter hours in chemistry.

• Two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in benchwork in a laboratory.
• Substitution:
  Successful completion of graduate coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the basic or natural sciences may be substituted for the required experience through an established formula.