Chemist

Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness? Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Chemist working with the City of Yuma Utilities Department – Wastewater Laboratory Division. The ideal candidate will be an experienced W/WW laboratory professional with strong analytical and regulatory knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to provide technical guidance and support to the laboratory team.

Under general supervision, performs skilled technical and professional duties in the environmental laboratory; tests and analyzes water, wastewater, biosolids, and industrial discharges for the City's Water and Wastewater (W/WW) treatment systems and operating plants; assures work is in compliance with state and Federal environmental regulations and standards, and City policies, procedures and goals.

-- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs professional level chemical, physical and microbiological analyses of W/WW from various sources in accordance with state and Federal laws and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Performs quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) and data management functions; develops and updates standard operating procedures, and QC/QA manual and training materials; validates data and corrective actions; maintains computer data bases and spreadsheets for analytical data.
• Reviews, and interprets regulatory rules for drinking water, wastewater, biosolids, analytical analysis procedures, and laboratory licensure.
• Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Interprets a variety of laboratory test results, and assists in the preparation and submittal of analytical and compliance reports for Federal and State regulatory agencies.
• Provides training and technical assistance for Laboratory Analysts in the performance of daily work assignments; verifies employees follow safety protocols, and properly maintain equipment and facilities.
• Prepares laboratory for operation, including maintenance and calibration of laboratory instrumentation.
• Collects and prepares water, wastewater, and other environmental samples for laboratory analysis.
• Assists in the development of new analytical methodology; and reviews and updates existing methods.
• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints.
• Provides technical assistance to W/WW operations staff; supervises Laboratory in absence of Laboratory Supervisor.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology,…