Chemist

$76,942 to $112,459; $82,914 to $121,208; and $95,254 to $139,290

The salary in the Department of Water and Power is $104,650 to $129,998; $125,426 to $155,827; $132,295 to $164,367; and $136,158 to $169,169.

• Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
• Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
• In some positions, higher salaries are paid for night work.
• For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

A Chemist performs organic, inorganic, and physical chemical analyses and research studies in connection with water quality, wastewater, storm water, solid resources and industrial water treatment, and construction and maintenance materials; performs research studies using standard or innovative methods; conducts investigations, assesses hazardous waste and water quality; tests for combustion products, insulating and lubricating oil, and asphalt binder, additives, and emulsion;

provides expert testimony; researches, evaluates, and summarizes scientific literature; prepares standard operating procedures (SOP) of laboratory and field instruments; reviews test results and prepares technical reports; performs thorough recordkeeping of observations and measurements; follows quality assurance and safety programs; performs routine maintenance of analytical instruments; performs specialized sampling of waters, soils, solids, air, water sediment, asphalt, and waste oil in the field;

operates automated sampling equipment, flow meters, and portable analytical instruments; reviews and analyzes scientific reports and data related to environmental assessment, water quality, and public health; conducts field investigations at various project sites to design environmental studies and prepare monitoring plans, written conclusions, and recommendations; maintains inventories of chemicals, supplies, and equipment; and attends and makes technical presentations at meetings and conferences.

(Rev.
01/21/2026)

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Chemical Engineering, with at least twenty-four (24) semester units or thirty-six (36) quarter units of college chemistry. Acceptable coursework or experience includes utilizing at least two of the following instruments:

• Flow Injection Analyzer
• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer or Mercury Analyzer
• Multi Element Oil Analyzer
• Gas Chromatograph
• High Performance Liquid Chromatograph or Ion Chromatograph
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer
• Mass Spectrometer
• X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
• UV/VIS/Fluorescent Spectrophotometer
• Dynamic Shear Rheometer
• Brookfield Thermosel System
• Bending Beam Rheometer
• Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)

Three (3) years of full-time paid work experience in a chemistry lab conducting chemical analysis utilizing the instruments listed above in a State accredited drinking water, wastewater, or hazardous waste laboratory may be substituted for the twenty-four (24) semester units or thirty-six (36) quarter units of college chemistry coursework.

• College seniors with a major in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Chemical Engineering and the required coursework or experience shown above within 6 months of graduation may file for this…