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Job Description
Description:
Are you passionate about safeguarding water quality and ensuring environmental compliance? We are looking to fill a Senior Chemist position to enhance our water quality control plant's analytical capabilities and ensure compliance with our NPDES permit. As a crucial member of our team, you will explore the fascinating world of analytical environmental science, helping to keep our city's water safe and pristine.
Career Opportunity
The City of Palo Alto's Public Works Department has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Chemist at their Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) laboratory. The wastewater treatment plant serves Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, East Palo Alto Sanitary District, and Stanford. The laboratory’s primary function is to provide analytical services to the RWQCP in compliance with their NPDES permit, along with additional services to the Utilities Department, including analysis of Palo Alto's potable water supply to meet California and national public health requirements.
The laboratory is accredited by the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) in various fields of testing, including volatile organic, inorganic substances, toxic elements, and microbiology. The methodologies used primarily follow Standard and EPA methods in accordance with state and federal regulations for both wastewater and potable water. To learn more about the Regional Water Quality Control Plant , click HERE .
The Senior Chemist will assist the Laboratory Manager in developing, implementing, reviewing, controlling, and maintaining the documentation required by CA ELAP regulations for quality control charts, data packages, corrective actions, data alerts, sample non-conformances, demonstration of competency records, associated data uncertainty, calculations, quality procedures, method detection limits, and State certification samples. The candidate will perform internal audits for all analytical methods in the laboratory for chemistry and microbiology and provide updates on report findings. While the main focus of the position is quality assurance, the selected candidate will also cover the duties of the lab's other Senior Chemist as needed.
Ideal Candidate Traits:- Certifications: Possession of a valid Grade III Laboratory Analyst Certificate from the California Water Environment Association or a Grade III Water Quality Analyst Certificate from the California-Nevada chapter of the American Water Works Association.
- Leadership and Communication: Ability to direct team efforts, maintain accurate records, and communicate effectively in writing and orally.
- Laboratory Skills: Experience with lab equipment, including GCMS and ICPMS, and conducting laboratory audits.
- Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with TNI Standards, EPA regulations, and wastewater treatment processes.
- Software Proficiency: Experience with advanced software and Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS).
- Quality Assurance: Understanding of QA manual requirements and expertise in quality control techniques for data review.
- Statistical Analysis: Proficient in statistical methods for data analysis.
- Adaptability: Flexibility in adjusting schedules and managing complex research projects.
- Decision-Making: Strong capability to make sound, informed decisions.
Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us?
Click HERE to access the full job description and apply today!
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Benefits: Fantastic benefits package! To learn more, click HERE .
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, click HERE .
Essential Duties:
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Duties- Assigns, reviews, and corrects the work of subordinate laboratory personnel; assists Manager of Laboratory Services in performing staff performance evaluations.
- Oversees and performs chemical, physical, and microbiological analysis of water, wastewater, and related byproducts to monitor and control treatment plant operations, wastewater discharges and quality of potable water.
- Develops and oversees development of new test procedures using standard reference materials. Writes up standard operating and test procedures, and trains others in new and existing procedures.
- Conducts special analytical studies related to source control, process control, or other aspects related to water quality control or analytical procedures.
- Oversees and maintains laboratory quality assurance program to meet Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory requirements; maintains laboratory accreditations and conforms to good laboratory practices.
- Oversees and maintains laboratory safety program. Assigns laboratory personnel to plant safety committee.
- Oversees preparation of sampling schedules for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and process control samples. Prioritizes laboratory workload and assigns specific tasks to laboratory staff.
- Compiles, records and manages laboratory data and records. Relates test data to established standards of acceptance and makes appropriate reports of conditions found.
- Prepares purchase requisitions for chemicals, lab supplies and instruments for approval by supervisor. Maintains records associated with purchasing and inventory control.
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with major in chemistry, biology, or microbiology with supporting coursework in one other analytical discipline (chemistry, biology, microbiology) not covered in the major course of study.
- Four years increasingly responsible experience in an analytical laboratory performing wet and instrumental methods of analysis including gas chromatograph, atomic absorption spectrophotometry using flame and graphite furnace method, biological and microbiological methods; or,
- Possession of a valid Grade III Laboratory Analyst Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association or Grade III Water Quality Analyst Certificate issued by the California-Nevada chapter of the American Water Works Association, and
- Five years as a chemist in an analytical laboratory where the major portion of work involved analysis of wastewater, water, and their treatment byproducts.
- Ability to work shift, on-call, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
- Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
- Acquire Grade III Laboratory Analyst Certificate within the two years of hire date.
Supplemental Information:
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements- Work in laboratory environment; some lifting; exposures to chemicals and microbiological organisms.
- Minimum Qualifications Review: Ongoing
- Panel Interviews: Week of November 11, 2024
- Department Level Interviews: To be determined
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 10/28/2024 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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