CHEMIST III8148C3 Pay Grade: 29 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is specialized, administrative work in chemistry in a laboratory. Work involves responsibility for directing a specialized unit of a laboratory section or the operations of several units; or for performing complex and specialized chemical laboratory tests. Work includes training and supervising staff, reviewing and monitoring work and providing technical assistance to co-workers or subordinate supervisors. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL B: "Under general supervision…" Employees working under general supervision usually receive some instructions with respect to the details of most assignments but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to only periodic checks. Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the any factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. Contacts - LEVEL B: The purpose of the contact is to plan, coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed communication skills are required. Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL D: Involves administrative supervision responsibility. As a "first line supervisor", the primary responsibility involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating employees who perform the same or similar work. Responsible for recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. As a "project manager" may direct the activities of project leaders to develop plans and criteria and to evaluate progress and results for one or more projects. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Chemist II class in which the incumbents perform advanced chemical and physical tests and do not direct a specialized unit of a laboratory section or the operations of several units or perform complex and special chemical laboratory tests requiring additional training. Differs from the Senior Laboratory Scientist class in which the incumbents direct, plan and organize major laboratory programs, laboratory investigations or analytical operations. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Reviews and evaluates results of tests performed by laboratory staff members in technical areas such as residue pesticide analysis, organic mass spectrometry, and emission spectrometry. Determines laboratory needs; prepares laboratory budget recommendation and prepares preliminary purchasing specifications to maintain and develop laboratory capability and services. Reviews and evaluates tests performed by other staff on a variety of materials such as paint, asphalt, cement, and metals. Instructs laboratory staff in methods and techniques; ensures that analyses are conducted according to prescribed methods and accepted standards of laboratory practice. Performs and conducts complex analyses for organic and inorganic substances using sophisticated laboratory instruments such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy or high-performance liquid-gas chromatograph. Performs and conducts applied research to develop new or improved methods, techniques and procedures for laboratory analyses. Maintains, reviews and evaluates quality assurance measures to ensure adequate quality control samples have been completed to assess quality of laboratory data; suggests and initiates corrective measures. Conducts and supervises the inspection of producer quality control laboratories to ensure that analyses are conducted according to prescribed methods and accepted standards of laboratory practice. Coordinates the conduct of laboratory safety and hazardous materials programs. Supervises lower-level chemists or technicians; schedules work as necessary to meet demands. Plans, organizes, manages, reviews and facilitates research and developmental activities of a work unit or operation. Reviews, coordinates, forecasts equipment, chemical, budgetary and staff needs for research on analytical projects. Interviews, hires, supervises technical laboratory staff and other non-technical staff assigned to the work unit; schedules work as necessary to meet demands. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the principles and practices of chemistry. *Knowledge of laboratory methods, use, and modern, instrumental, analytical techniques such as gas or liquid chromatography, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, etc. *Knowledge of the operation, maintenance and minor repair of complex, laboratory instruments. Knowledge of laboratory quality control procedures, quality assurance programs, and appropriate statistical methods. Knowledge of the sources of information and current literature in the field of chemistry. Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision. Knowledge of research and development techniques in chemical and biochemical analysis. Abilities *Ability to perform difficult and specialized analysis with accuracy and precision. *Ability to use and care for complex laboratory instruments. *Ability to perform various tests, adapt techniques as required, and to perform complex computations. *Ability to assist in the development of new or improved methods/techniques to be used in laboratory analysis. *Ability to prepare scientifically accurate and thorough reports. *Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. *Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. *Ability to plan, direct and review the work of chemists and laboratory technicians. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in a Natural Science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry and two years of experience in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 06/93 |