Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Sr. Environmental Chemist/Microbiologist (Silver Spring, MD)
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, 20900
Sr. Environmental Chemist/Microbiologist (Silver Spring, MD)
Job Description SummaryThe Sr. Environmental Chemist/Microbiologist uses technologically advanced lab instrumentation and procedures to analyze chemical and microbiological contaminants in various environmental samples. This position also oversees the work of technical staff in specific areas, provides technical support to lab administrators and cross laboratory staff.Essential FunctionsServes as a subject matter expert for other employees in the laboratoryProvides cross training and guidance on advanced technologies, instrumentation, and procedures to laboratory personnel to ensure continuous quality dataMonitors, reviews, evaluates, and validates data to detect or assess problems and to determine compliance with acceptable standardsUses advanced instrumentation and technologies such as gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectrophotometers, auto-analyzers, microscopes, ion-chromatographs, or other advanced technical equipment to analyze samples for chemical, physical, metals, and microbiological constituentsPerforms a variety of complex analyses, reviews data produced, insures all quality control requirements are met, and uploads data to Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)Monitors, reviews, evaluates, and validates data produced by analysts to detect or assess problems and to determine compliance with acceptable standardsProvides cross-training and guidance on basic to advanced technologies, instrumentation, and procedures to laboratory personnel to ensure continual quality dataAssists the Laboratory in complying with Federal and State regulations under the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts that may affect the Commission’s water and wastewater treatment facilitiesPrepares and maintains monthly reports to certify data satisfies EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment requirements for environmental test proceduresResearches new technological advancements for laboratory use. Based on the results of the research, determines appropriate instruments, methods, procedures, and quality control guidelines to use in the analysis of samplesTroubleshoots issues and performs routine preventative maintenance on analytical instrumentsConducts, organizes, and manages special projects, including documenting progress, monitoring workflows and milestones, data validations, and final reportsSuccessfully analyzes quarterly and annual proficiency testing samples for assigned analysesUpdates all required laboratory QA/QC and safety records at pre-scheduled intervalsMaintains and updates all laboratory peer-review forms and documentationPrepares and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Oversees work performed by Chemist/Microbiologists and Laboratory AnalystsAssists Chemists/Microbiologists, Laboratory Analysts I and II when workloads demandOversees sample workload and throughput to ensure holding times and turn-around times are metDrives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water businessOther FunctionsParticipates in interviewing and selection of laboratory staffInvestigates customer concerns and questions; prepares responses as requiredPrepares data packages for clients when requiredConducts visitor tours of laboratory facilities and capabilitiesProvides technical advice/assistance to the Laboratory Operations Section Manager and Laboratory Division Manager as necessaryFills in for Laboratory Operations Section Manager/Laboratory Division Manager as neededParticipates in Stand-by and Call Back ProgramPerforms related duties as assignedWork Environment And Physical DemandsPosition requires long periods of standing and walkingRequires periods of repetitive movementsRequires the safe handling of hazardous materialManual dexterity and precision are also required in the use of laboratory equipment and toolsMay be required to move heavy objects up to 100 lbsMust wear protective clothing, gloves, mask, and work under a hoodRequired Knowledge, Skills, And AbilitiesThorough knowledge of theories and practices in the fields of chemistry, microbiology, or biology that are applied in analytical procedures in an environmental laboratoryThorough knowledge of and ability to operate advanced laboratory instrumentationSkill in the operation of basic to advanced analytical instruments including performing routine maintenance and minor repairsSkill in the use of various laboratory instrument software and LIMSKnowledge of environmental standard operating procedures, quality assurance manuals, quality control protocols, good laboratory practices (GLP), EPA approved methods, federal and state regulations, and all other applicable regulations and guidelinesKnowledge of material data sheets, laboratory safety procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE)Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and techniques of sample collection and preparation per State and Federal guidelinesKnowledge of drinking water and/or wastewater treatment processesKnowledge of EPA (Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) applicable regulations and guidelinesSkill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, and approaches to problemsSkill in conducting tests and inspections of processes to evaluate quality of performance and accuracy of resultsAbility to prepare comprehensive analytical reports and interpret test resultsAbility to expand knowledge base to gain efficiency in new proceduresAbility to accurately perform chemical, bacteriological, or biological tests with acceptable required quality controlAbility to effectively prioritize work and manage time to meet tight deadlines and constant rush ordersAbility to effectively communicate verbally and in writingAbility to interact with internal and external customers effectively and professionallyAbility to guide and oversee the work of junior staffMinimum Education, Experience Requirements6+ years of laboratory experience that includes:
4+ years conducting complex analyses of chemical and/or microbiological contaminants in various environmental samples using technologically advanced laboratory instrumentation3+ years overseeing the work of subordinate laboratory analysts
Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver’s license with no more than 4 points and the ability to obtain a WSSC Water driver’s permit within 90 days of hire or transfer datePossession of a valid Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Sampler’s License (must be obtained within six months of employment and be retained for duration in position)Obtain MDE approval for two drinking water methods (inorganic, organic, or microbiology) within 6 months of employmentMust maintain valid driver’s license, Water Sampler Certification, and MDE method approval for duration of time in positionAble to work nights, weekends, and holidaysEmployees in this position are designated or considered emergency personnel; therefore, the employee must report to work as scheduled or as directed by their supervisor when WSSC Water declares an event that requires emergency personnel to report to work
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Job Description SummaryThe Sr. Environmental Chemist/Microbiologist uses technologically advanced lab instrumentation and procedures to analyze chemical and microbiological contaminants in various environmental samples. This position also oversees the work of technical staff in specific areas, provides technical support to lab administrators and cross laboratory staff.Essential FunctionsServes as a subject matter expert for other employees in the laboratoryProvides cross training and guidance on advanced technologies, instrumentation, and procedures to laboratory personnel to ensure continuous quality dataMonitors, reviews, evaluates, and validates data to detect or assess problems and to determine compliance with acceptable standardsUses advanced instrumentation and technologies such as gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectrophotometers, auto-analyzers, microscopes, ion-chromatographs, or other advanced technical equipment to analyze samples for chemical, physical, metals, and microbiological constituentsPerforms a variety of complex analyses, reviews data produced, insures all quality control requirements are met, and uploads data to Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)Monitors, reviews, evaluates, and validates data produced by analysts to detect or assess problems and to determine compliance with acceptable standardsProvides cross-training and guidance on basic to advanced technologies, instrumentation, and procedures to laboratory personnel to ensure continual quality dataAssists the Laboratory in complying with Federal and State regulations under the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts that may affect the Commission’s water and wastewater treatment facilitiesPrepares and maintains monthly reports to certify data satisfies EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment requirements for environmental test proceduresResearches new technological advancements for laboratory use. Based on the results of the research, determines appropriate instruments, methods, procedures, and quality control guidelines to use in the analysis of samplesTroubleshoots issues and performs routine preventative maintenance on analytical instrumentsConducts, organizes, and manages special projects, including documenting progress, monitoring workflows and milestones, data validations, and final reportsSuccessfully analyzes quarterly and annual proficiency testing samples for assigned analysesUpdates all required laboratory QA/QC and safety records at pre-scheduled intervalsMaintains and updates all laboratory peer-review forms and documentationPrepares and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Oversees work performed by Chemist/Microbiologists and Laboratory AnalystsAssists Chemists/Microbiologists, Laboratory Analysts I and II when workloads demandOversees sample workload and throughput to ensure holding times and turn-around times are metDrives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water businessOther FunctionsParticipates in interviewing and selection of laboratory staffInvestigates customer concerns and questions; prepares responses as requiredPrepares data packages for clients when requiredConducts visitor tours of laboratory facilities and capabilitiesProvides technical advice/assistance to the Laboratory Operations Section Manager and Laboratory Division Manager as necessaryFills in for Laboratory Operations Section Manager/Laboratory Division Manager as neededParticipates in Stand-by and Call Back ProgramPerforms related duties as assignedWork Environment And Physical DemandsPosition requires long periods of standing and walkingRequires periods of repetitive movementsRequires the safe handling of hazardous materialManual dexterity and precision are also required in the use of laboratory equipment and toolsMay be required to move heavy objects up to 100 lbsMust wear protective clothing, gloves, mask, and work under a hoodRequired Knowledge, Skills, And AbilitiesThorough knowledge of theories and practices in the fields of chemistry, microbiology, or biology that are applied in analytical procedures in an environmental laboratoryThorough knowledge of and ability to operate advanced laboratory instrumentationSkill in the operation of basic to advanced analytical instruments including performing routine maintenance and minor repairsSkill in the use of various laboratory instrument software and LIMSKnowledge of environmental standard operating procedures, quality assurance manuals, quality control protocols, good laboratory practices (GLP), EPA approved methods, federal and state regulations, and all other applicable regulations and guidelinesKnowledge of material data sheets, laboratory safety procedures, and personal protective equipment (PPE)Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and techniques of sample collection and preparation per State and Federal guidelinesKnowledge of drinking water and/or wastewater treatment processesKnowledge of EPA (Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) applicable regulations and guidelinesSkill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, and approaches to problemsSkill in conducting tests and inspections of processes to evaluate quality of performance and accuracy of resultsAbility to prepare comprehensive analytical reports and interpret test resultsAbility to expand knowledge base to gain efficiency in new proceduresAbility to accurately perform chemical, bacteriological, or biological tests with acceptable required quality controlAbility to effectively prioritize work and manage time to meet tight deadlines and constant rush ordersAbility to effectively communicate verbally and in writingAbility to interact with internal and external customers effectively and professionallyAbility to guide and oversee the work of junior staffMinimum Education, Experience Requirements6+ years of laboratory experience that includes:
4+ years conducting complex analyses of chemical and/or microbiological contaminants in various environmental samples using technologically advanced laboratory instrumentation3+ years overseeing the work of subordinate laboratory analysts
Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver’s license with no more than 4 points and the ability to obtain a WSSC Water driver’s permit within 90 days of hire or transfer datePossession of a valid Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Sampler’s License (must be obtained within six months of employment and be retained for duration in position)Obtain MDE approval for two drinking water methods (inorganic, organic, or microbiology) within 6 months of employmentMust maintain valid driver’s license, Water Sampler Certification, and MDE method approval for duration of time in positionAble to work nights, weekends, and holidaysEmployees in this position are designated or considered emergency personnel; therefore, the employee must report to work as scheduled or as directed by their supervisor when WSSC Water declares an event that requires emergency personnel to report to work
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