Chemist III

Job Responsibilities

Careers at SCDES: Where Passion Meets Preservation

Do you love South Carolina and protecting the environment? Come join our team at SCDES, put your passion to work with us! We are dedicated to protecting the state of South Carolina and we would love to have you as a member of our team!

Science| Service| Sustainability

This position is for a Chemist III in the Organic Chemistry laboratory of the Analytical and Radiological Environmental Services Division. Primarily performs extractions and analyses of drinking water samples in accordance with EPA methods.

• Serve as a lead chemist in the Organic Chemistry section with responsibilities primarily in GC (Gas Chromatography). Responsibilities include, but not limited to, training new and current staff, method development and special projects, and maintaining supplies and orders, chemical inventory, and ensuring routine lab clean-ups.
• Extracts and analyzes drinking water samples for various organic contaminants by GC/ECD or FID technique.
• Serves as a secondary lead chemist for both HPLC and GC/MS laboratories.
• Performs the preparation and interpretative phases of analysis process. Completes WP and WS audit samples. Reviews and verifies data for multiple parameters and maintains the data release records. Assists the RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) by performing semi-annual inventory and wipe testing the Electron Capture Detectors.
• Reviews the DES SOP and its referenced methods annually, updating SOPs as needed. Prepares and participates in emergency response as required. Ensures safe work practices by attending all safety meetings, annual review of the safety manual, and adherence to the safety policies as prescribed by the Hayne Building Safety Manual and the agency. Performs required duties and special projects as requested by supervisor.
• Complete all necessary administrative tasks and documentation as required and requested.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree in chemistry and one year of chemistry experience.
• OR a bachelor's degree in chemistry and two years of chemistry experience.
• OR a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences with 16 semester hours in chemistry and three years of laboratory experience.
• A doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating, maintaining, and interpreting results from advanced analytical instrumentation such as gas and liquid chromatographs, and associated data systems.
• Experience with instrumentation software and Microsoft Office.
• Perform scientific mathematical calculations, highly complex tasks, and maintain accurate records.
• Communicate effectively with peers, other scientists, and service engineers.
• Prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Move and change 150-pound gas cylinders using a hand truck.
• Adhere to all safety requirements including the wearing of required safety equipment such as eye protection, laboratory coats, and nitrile gloves to assure the safe handling of a myriad of commonly used laboratory chemicals daily.
• Stand for long periods of time and lift at least 30 lbs. to countertop level.
• The workplace exposure to chemicals of record will be kept below the published OSHA thresholds through the use of administrative and engineering controls, specialized PPE and through appropriate adjustments in job assignments.
• This position requires the strict adherence to approved methods and standard operating procedures for the proper collection of quality and technically defensible data.
• This is a laboratory position and as such involves safely working with various types of glassware, the physical shaking of samples, the performance of repetitive tasks, and meticulous attention to detail.
• A resume should be submitted but cannot be a substitution for a complete SC State application.
• Prior to possible selection for this position, candidates will have to attend an in-person interview. Please note that the State of South Carolina will not be responsible for any expenses incurred to attend this interview.

Note: If any additional requirements are listed above applicants must also meet those Additional Requirements to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of employment experience in an environmental setting.
• Knowledge, understanding and experience in an Organic Chemistry Laboratory setting, including but not limited to GC, GC/MS, and HPLC and data interpretation.

Applicants meeting preferred qualifications will be given priority consideration over persons who do not meet preferred qualifications. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Applications must be accurate and complete.

Additional Comments

SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. The Department will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:?

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid parental leave

• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

• Retirement benefit choices*

• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)

• State Optional Retirement Program(State ORP)

• Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.