Sr. Scientist (Sr Chemist)

Overview

At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.

Orange County Utilities provides water resources and solid waste recovery services to protect and enrich the lives of the citizens and guests of Orange County Florida. The Water Division ensures a safe and reliable water supply for all of Orange County Utilities' customers. The Water Division operates three regional water supply facilities and nine satellite water supply facilities that collectively produce approximately 60 million gallons per day.

The Water Division is seeking a highly qualified individual to fill the position of Senior Scientist\Senior Chemist. This position is responsible for supporting the operational and/or regulatory needs in the metals section of the laboratory.

Job Description

General Functions

Applies principals of chemical and/or microbial analysis to a variety of sample matrices in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.

Work is performed with independence under the general supervision of the Staff Scientist or designee. Performance is reviewed through periodic audits, observations, conferences, reports and analysis of results achieved.

Representative Duties/Assignments

Duties may vary based on area of assignment. The following are representative duties, it is not the intent to capture all duties performed by this classification.

• Supervises and serves as a technical resource to scientists, technologists, student interns, and on call scientists as needed.
• Serves as a lead scientist for method development.
• Researches, recommends and implements analytical methods and equipment to support regulatory requirements and changes in water, wastewater, and environmental testing.
• Stays abreast of current trends, laws, and laboratory functions, etc., that relates to sample analysis and environmental protection.
• Based on area of assignment, may input quality data information by manual as well as direct data link to the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for reporting.
• Coordinate, develop, manage, and supervise various studies and personnel for research and development of water quality related projects that benefit Orange County.
• Prepare complex technical reports and presentations for regulatory agencies, customers and attend technical symposia to facilitate information transfer.
• Review and guide laboratory personnel in preparing of reports and technical data presentations.
• Scheduling and training of personnel across multiple shifts and weekends.
• Maintenance of laboratory section and equipment at a level ensuring continued laboratory certification.
• Ensures analytical results meet regulatory and certification requirements for water, wastewater, and environmental testing.
• Performs other duties as required

Sr. Chemist

• Responsible for establishing MDLs and maintaining the annual verification.
• Reviews control limits to ensure they are in conformance with SOPs and EPA/Standard Methods.
• Reviews data obtained from testing to ensure accuracy, precision and consistency.
• Oversees maintenance, trouble-shooting and minor repairs of laboratory analytical equipment as necessary.
• Serve as lead technical staff in absence of the staff scientist for chemical analyses

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental science or other closely related field.

Sr. Chemist

Three (3) years of environmental laboratory experience in chemical analysis. Master's degree can be substituted for 2 years of the required experience

Preferences

• Experience in a NELAP accredited laboratory.
• Experience with administration of databases, instrument software and LIMS applications.
• Three or more years of experience in Wet Chemistry, including: Ion Chromatography (IC), Hexachrome by IC, EPA 300.1, CBOD, BOD, TOC, OP, NO2, NOX, NH3, TKN, TP, TN, T-Org N, CN, Phenols and EPA Digestion Methods using Block Digestors and Spectrophotometers.
• Experience with compliance reporting and FDEP requirements for drinking water and wastewater.
• High degree of detail in laboratory documentation and recordkeeping.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Excel and Word for Windows.
• Possess and maintain a valid Florida's drivers license.

Application Deadline

Open Date: 05/27/2025

Close Date: 06/09/2025

This posting is subject to close without prior notice.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: 018 - From $30.39 to $39.51

FLSA Status: Exempt

Placement based on Education and Experience

Benefits

• 10 paid holidays and2 floating holidays annually.
• 18 days paid time off per year.
• Longevity bonus based on years of service.
• 6 days of paid TERM (sick) time annually.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance.
• Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System.
• Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc.
• Free access to Wellworks gyms and OrangeCounty Recreation Centers.
• Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Earn service time to forgive student loans.

Disclaimer: Benefits mayvary for employees under collective bargaining agreements.

For more information on Benefits visit -

Veterans Preference

If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder.

Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.

Educational Requirements

If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.

Address

Orange County Utilities Central Laboratory

9124 Curry Ford Road

Orlando, FL 32825

Notes

Hours: 40

Work schedule: Mon - Fri / 8am 0 4:30pm

Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete the pre-employment drug, physical and background check.