Job Information
City of Boca Raton Senior Analytical Chemist in Boca Raton, Florida
Senior Analytical Chemist
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Senior Analytical Chemist
Salary
$31.69 - $35.31 Hourly
Location
Boca Raton, FL
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
04156
Department
Utility Services
Division
Quality Control 42/09701
Opening Date
01/16/2025
Closing Date
2/6/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
N
Description
Benefits
Questions
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Job Description
The Senior Analytical Chemist performs challenging and intricate chemical analysis of the City of Boca Raton’s drinking water, wastewater, and production wells utilizing advanced technical instruments. This role is critical in coordinating and managing various compliance projects mandated by federal, state, and local regulations. This role provides high-quality customer service when interacting with the City’s residents. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of the Laboratory Supervisor and Director.
Essential Functions
Operates and utilizes advanced laboratory equipment, including Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), Electron Capture Detector (ECD), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS), and Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) instrumentation to perform specialized analyses. This includes the detection and quantification of volatile organic compounds, disinfection by-products, inorganic substances, heavy metals, and per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, production wells, and wastewater.
Develops and implements new analytical procedures and methodologies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), preventative maintenance schedules, and quality control procedures based on current regulatory policies and anticipated changes.
Develops short and long-range laboratory objectives; evaluates work methods, policies and procedures, on an ongoing basis.
Collects samples from various locations within the drinking water plant, wastewater plant, and throughout the distribution system as needed.
Ensures laboratory operations align with the latest TNI (The Nelac Institute) guidelines and maintains certification through demonstrations of capability, internal audits, proficiency testing, and analyst training.
Manages PFAS Laboratory, Organics Laboratory, or Metals Laboratory to ensure compliance with state certification, licensure requirements, and other local, state, and federal regulations.
Coordinates and manages various specialized projects, including tri-annual lead and copper testing, disinfection-by-products, semi-annual wells, annual reclaim, annual nitrate and nitrite, reuse monitoring wells (RMW), water quality parameters (WQP), annual raw and east finish, annual local limits and priority pollutants, cryptosporidium and giardia testing, annual YMW-05 sample collection, radionuclides, and asbestos.
Oversees other analysts in sample receiving, field sampling, laboratory analysis, and reporting of results during specialized projects.
Participates, samples, and reviews data for the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR).
Adheres to safety regulations and protocols within the laboratory.
Maintains all laboratory specific inventory for all associated instruments and testing.
Manages laboratory inventory for analytical instruments and testing materials. Responsible for the maintenance of all laboratory instrumentation, ensuring preventive maintenance is conducted and repairs are handled efficiently, including coordinating with vendors for repairs and upgrades.
Prepares, organizes, and archives laboratory records such as bench sheets, calibration logbooks, reagent logbooks, chain of custody (COC) forms, non-conformance forms (NCFs) and demonstration of capability forms (DOCs).
Reviews and interprets complex analytical data to generate accurate, detailed reports for internal use and regulatory submission to the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Reviews and interprets complex analytical data to generate reports.
Utilizes Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to create sample identification, record analyses, track sample preparation, generate reports, and ensure data integrity.
Supports Laboratory Director and Laboratory Supervisor with internal audits and various activities to maintain TNI certification.
Additional Responsibilities
Works closely with various departments within the utilities division to support laboratory-related projects and initiatives.
Collaborates with City of Boca Raton departments as needed, offering laboratory services to support their operations and ensure timely and accurate results.
Works closely with laboratory management and team members to address laboratory-related issues, troubleshoot problems, and improve laboratory operations.
Assists Laboratory Director and Supervisor in preparing technical specifications for the purchase of specialized laboratory equipment, reviewing bids, and provides input on final award recommendations for equipment.
Serves on-call for public safety events such as high-priority boil waters, low pressure incidents, and lift station spills, ensuring a timely response.
Provides back up coverage for team members in the event of staffing shortages.
Has the ability to act as the backup Laboratory Supervisor when needed. Responsibilities include supervising laboratory staff, ordering and receiving of laboratory consumables, training analysts in various methods, and responding to customer concerns regarding water quality issues.
Provides exceptional customer service to City’s residents, addressing inquiries related to water quality and public health concerns.
Participates in audits conducted by the DOH and DEP ensuring that laboratory operations comply with all regulatory requirements.
Communicates with the DOH, DEP, and EPA regarding various compliance sampling and reporting requirements.
Assists in the organization and housekeeping of all laboratories, ensuring that they remain clean, safe, and compliant with all regulatory standards.
Undertakes additional laboratory-related responsibilities as needed providing support in various analytical and operational tasks to meet the needs of the department.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Extensive understanding of complex chemistry, laboratory analysis techniques, and the principles, methods, and procedures used in water and wastewater testing.
In-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations concerning drinking water and wastewater, including compliance with environmental quality standards.
Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, including the impact of various chemicals and contaminants on water quality.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines effectively. Strong organizational and time management skills are required.
Ability to clearly and concisely communicate technical information, both verbally and in writing, to colleagues, management, customers, and external agencies.
Ability to work effectively with the public in a professional and friendly manner.
Skilled in troubleshooting complex laboratory instruments, with the ability to perform repairs or work collaboratively to ensure minimal downtime and optimal performance.
Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology, or environmental sciences.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in a laboratory environment, with at least 2 years focused on water quality analysis.
Previous experience with advanced analytical instrumentation (GC/MS, AAS, ICP/MS, etc.)
Experience with Microsoft programs and laboratory data reporting systems such as LIMs.
POST OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING REQUIREMENTS:
Final offer and employment are contingent upon successful completion of the following post-offer, pre-employment screening items:
Criminal Background Check
Employment Verification
Educational Verification
Drug and Alcohol Screen
The City of Boca Raton is an Equal Opportunity (https://www.myboca.us/1226/Equal-Employment-Opportunity) , Inclusive, Veteran's Preference Employer and Drug Free Workplace. It is the policy of the City of Boca Raton to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
BENEFITS SUMMARY
Full-Time Non-Bargaining Employees
ANNUAL LEAVE: Shall accrue prior to an employee attaining permanent status in the classified service, and may be used after six (6) months of employment at the sole discretion of the Department Head, but it shall not be paid out upon resignation or termination unless the employee has attained permanent status (one full year). The maximum accrual is 360 hours.
Year of ServiceAccrual
0 to 5 full years8 hours per month
5 to 10 full years10 hours per month
10 to 15 full years12 hours per month
15 full years and over14 hours per month
CASH OUT OF ANNUAL LEAVE: Employees who have attained permanent status shall be permitted to cash out up to forty (40) hours of accrued and unused Annual Leave, either in a single lump sum payment or two or more partial payments, each fiscal year.
SICK LEAVE: 8 hours per month. Any hours in excess of 960 will be paid off annually at 50%. Upon retirement, employees with a minimum of 5 years continuous service will receive 50% of sick leave balance. Termination for reasons other than retirement shall be entitled to payment for accrued, but unused sick leave, as follows:
Years of servicePercentage
Less than 2 full years0%
2 to 5 full years10%
5 to 10 full years20%
10 full years or more30%
Retirement (normal, early or disability)50%
HEALTH INSURANCE (Premiums): Employee Medical (Base Plan) - Paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the buy up employee coverage plans. Employee Dental (DHMO or Basic PPO Plan) & Vision (Basic Plan) paid 100% by City. Employee contributions are required for the Employee + Dependent(s) for the Medical, Dental, & Vision Plan.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE BENEFIT: As of December 1 each year - Paid during the month of December.
Year of ServiceBenefit
5 to 10 full years$600 annually
10 to 15 full years$800 annually
15 full years and over$1,100 annually
RETIREMENT PLANS: The two pension/retirement options are listed below:
An option to enroll in a Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan will not require a mandatory contribution. The City will contribute seven (7%) percent of the annual base wages annually. The vesting period for this plan shall be one (1) year from date of hire in the classified service, which coincides with your one-year probationary period.
An option to enroll in a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan option is available. There is a ten (10) year vesting period with a multiplier of 2.00% at normal retirement and a mandatory seven and three-quarters (7.75%) percent employee contribution.
The two (2) options will be fully explained prior to an irrevocable selection.
Optional: 457 Deferred Compensation Savings Plan is available.
HOLIDAYS: 15 per year: 12 recognized holidays and 3 floating days which are allocated for the fiscal year beginning October 1, to all 8 hour per day employees. Employees hired between October 1 and March 31 shall receive 3 floating holidays. Employees hired between April 1 and September 30 shall receive 1.5 floating holidays. Floating holidays must be used within the fiscal year. Non-task employees working 10-hour days receive 10, 10-hour paid holidays but do not receive floating holidays.
FUNERAL LEAVE: Up to 3 workdays - In State; Up to 5 workdays - Out of State
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Full-time employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement as outlined in the City’s Tuition Reimbursement Policy which is available in Human Resources and subject to the availability of departmental funds.
MILITARY LEAVE: Members in military reserve units who attend annual training are entitled to paid leave not to exceed 30 days each calendar year.
EAP: Employees, spouses, and eligible dependents have access to five (5) face-to-face sessions with a counselor through Cigna's Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Services include assistance with legal, financial, parenting, elder care, pet care, and identity theft.