Chemist II

Careers at SCDES:
Where Passion Meets Preservation

Do you love South Carolina and protecting the environment? Come join our team at SCDES, put your passion to work with us! We are dedicated to protecting the state of South Carolina and we would love to have you as a member of our team!

This position is for a Chemist II in the Organic Chemistry laboratory of the Analytical and Radiological Environmental Services Division. Primarily performs extractions and analyses of drinking water samples in accordance with EPA methods.

• Analysis of various contaminants in the environmental compliance monitoring samples.
• Utilize Gas Chromatography/Electron Capture Detector (GC/ECD) instrumentation.
• Duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Extraction and analysis of drinking water samples for Chlorinated Acid Herbicides by Gas Chromatograph/ECD technique.
• Extraction and analysis for Haloacetic Acids (HAAs) and Trihalomethanes (THM) in drinking water samples by GC/ECD technique.
• Back‑up chemist for extraction and analyses of pesticide and herbicides in water samples by Gas Chromatography/ECD techniques.
• The interpretation of generated data while adhering to approved standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Operation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation.
• Performing quality control functions associated with sample analysis.
• Assist other staff members with glassware preparation, general laboratory cleaning, sample analysis, instrument troubleshooting, and other related duties as dictated by workload assigned by the supervisor.
• Communicate effectively with peers, other scientists, and service engineers.
• Prepares and participates in emergency response as required.
• Perform duties and special projects as assigned by supervisor.
• Complete administrative tasks (PCAS, SCEIS related functions, etc.) and documentation as required and requested.

• A master's degree in chemistry;
• OR a bachelor's degree in chemistry and one year of chemistry experience;
• OR a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences
  * with 16 semester hours in chemistry and two years laboratory experience
• A doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience

Institutions of higher learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

* These fields include but are not limited to branches relating to Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.

• Experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating, maintaining, and interpreting results from advanced analytical instrumentation such as gas or liquid chromatographs, and associated data systems.
• Experience with general instrumentation software and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to:
  • Perform scientific mathematical calculations, highly complex tasks, and maintain accurate records.
  • Communicate effectively with peers, other scientists, and service engineers.
  • Prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
  • Move and change 150-pound gas cylinders using a hand truck.
  • Adhere to all safety requirements including the wearing of required safety equipment such as eye protection, laboratory coats, and nitrile gloves to assure the safe handling of a myriad of commonly used laboratory chemicals on a daily basis.
  • Stand for long periods of time and lift at least 50 lbs. to counter top level.
• The workplace exposure to chemicals of record will be kept below the published OSHA thresholds through the use of administrative and engineering controls, specialized PPE and through appropriate adjustments in job assignments.
• This position requires the strict adherence to approved methods and standard operating procedures for the proper collection of quality and technically defensible data.
• This is a laboratory position and as such involves safely working with various types of glassware, the performance of repetitive tasks, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Please note that the State of South Carolina will not be responsible for any expenses incurred to attend this interview.
• An unofficial copy of all transcripts from institutions of higher learning must be attached to the application.

• Two years of laboratory employment experience.
• Knowledge, understanding and experience in the Organic Chemistry Laboratory setting, including but not limited to GC, GC/MS, and HPLC and data interpretation.