Chemist I/II - Environmental Services Department

The Environmental Laboratory provides critical analytical services for monitoring operations, compliance, and industrial discharges to the Wastewater Facility, in addition to the support of various studies monitoring water quality issues in the Bay and urban tributaries. Our state-of-the-art facility provides analytical services for wet chemistry, trace metals, organics, bioassays, and toxicological tests for wastewater, recycled water, biosolids, and estuarine samples. The lab operates 365 days a year and processes more than 50,000 samples annually for internal and external customers. The 28-member laboratory team includes chemists, microbiologists, biologists, and laboratory technicians.

The Environmental Laboratory is comprised of five multidisciplinary sections, including two Wastewater Support sections (Wet Chemistry and Biology), Trace Organics, Trace Metals, and a Quality section that oversees Client Support and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) administration.

Position Duties

Salary ranges for this classification are:

• Chemist I: $107,562.00 – $130,690.56 Annually
• Chemist II: $118,547.52 – $144,012.96 Annually 

The salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. 

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is currently seeking to fill multiple full-time Chemist I/II vacancies in the Environmental Laboratory.

Chemists are dynamic and dedicated professionals who excel in performing complex technical work of moderate difficulty. These tasks involve conducting both qualitative and quantitative chemical, biological, and physical analyses of water, wastewater, and industrial waste, as well as other related materials. Chemists may also be assigned tasks in the development of analytical methodologies, applied research, specific projects, or related work as required.

These positions work on-site at the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility in the Environmental Services Building located at 4245 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95134. Hybrid work is not available for Chemist positions. The Environmental Laboratory operates 365 days per year. Typical schedules are five (5) days per week, working various shifts between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Chemists can expect to work occasional weekend and holiday shifts.

Key responsibilities of the Chemist I/II position include, but are not limited to:

• Develop, implement, and oversee analytical methodologies for water, wastewater, industrial waste, and related matrices.
• Perform complex analyses of water, wastewater, and related matrices on routine/sophisticated instruments as needed.
• Follow laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) to perform analysis to meet QA/QC requirements and report data.
• Review, validate, and report analytical data using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Compile and manage laboratory data and records from various sources, work with clerical personnel, and prepare reports.
• Ensure laboratory safety compliance and maintain knowledge of Chemical Hygiene Plans (CHP).
• Implement and maintain quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) protocols, while ensuring familiarity with relevant QA/QC principles, The NELAC Institute (TNI) 2016 standard, and California laboratory accreditation regulations and audit processes.

If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment. To view the full class specification, please visit the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanjoseca/classspecs/1553766

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.

Experience: 

Chemist I – One (1) year of experience working in a laboratory environment. 

Chemist II – Three (3) years of experience working in a water or wastewater laboratory environment. 

Acceptable Substitutions: A Master’s degree or higher in chemistry or a related scientific discipline can be substituted for one (1) year of experience working in a laboratory environment. 

Required Licensing: Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California. 

• If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

Physical/Environmental Elements: Depending on the assignment, this classification may be Sedentary up to Medium Work.

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history:

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies, and federal and state rules and regulations. 

Knowledge of:

• Principles of physical, organic, inorganic, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. 
• Principles and practices of chemistry measurement techniques for water matrices. 
• Modern laboratory procedures, techniques, instruments and equipment, and the ability to utilize such equipment. 
• Operation, maintenance, and repair of instrumentation. 
• Mathematics, chemistry, biochemistry, and basic microbiology routinely utilized in an environmental laboratory. 

Ability to:

• Perform physical, biological, microbiological, and chemical analyses. 
• Perform research work on problems of a chemical, biochemical, or physical nature. 
• Calibrate, operate, and perform maintenance and repair of instrumentation. 
• Critically review chemical reports and standard operating procedures. 
• Interpret test results for water quality determinations. 

Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Computer Skills – Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills. 

Analytical Skills – Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systemic, sequential approach.

Creativity – Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, and reinvent work processes.

Reliability – Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

The following certifications are desirable:

• California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Laboratory Analyst Grade 1/2 Certification 
• CA-NV/American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Quality Analyst Certificate 

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job-specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection, or the hiring process, please contact Ernesto Zamaguey at Ernesto.Zamaguey@sanjoseca.gov. 

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.  

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. 

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process. 

How to Apply

The requisition # for this job posting is 202601735. To view the full job announcement and apply for this position, please go to: www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers 

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST APPLY & SUBMIT YOUR JOB APPLICATION AT www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A CITY OF SAN JOSE JOB OPPORTUNITY. 

If you have questions about the duties of this position, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ernesto Zamaguey at Ernesto.Zamaguey@sanjoseca.gov.