Pay Range: $68,905 - 89,576 annual compensation

Job Posting Closing on: Monday, April 15, 2024

Workdays & Hours: Monday – Friday working during standard business hours.

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

A Sr. Chemist - Quality job is available with The City of Fort Worth Water Department, Central Water Laboratory. This is a full-time position that supports the laboratory’s mission of providing accurate, responsive and cost-effective analytical and technical services to all areas of the community.

This position performs a wide variety of duties related to analytical reporting, equipment calibration, document control and laboratory accreditation maintenance. This position also supervises other laboratory personnel engaged in quality and regulatory compliance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, environmental science, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in laboratory or quality control/quality assurance operations including water, wastewater or industrial pretreatment procedures.
• One (1) year in chemical testing.
• Valid Driver's license.
• Must be able to pass Drug Screen

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of experience of compliance with NELAP accreditation requirements.
• Two (2) years of experience in laboratory QA/QC requirements.
• Two (2) years of experience with state and/or federal regulations relating to water quality, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act or the Clean Water Act.

The Sr. Chemist - Quality job responsibilities include:

• Supervises and coordinates staff, which includes prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment and making hiring and disciplinary decisions and recommendations.
• Plans and coordinates document control, including the maintenance of the laboratory Quality Manual as well as the laboratory’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in accordance with federal and state regulations and The NELAC Institute (TNI) standard requirements. Participates in the maintenance of the laboratory’s logbooks and the archiving and destruction of laboratory documents according to City of Fort Worth guidelines as well as local, state and federal regulations.
• Coordinates and participates in the procurement and calibration of monitoring devices needed to keep the laboratory processes compliant with NELAP accreditation requirements as well as local, state and federal regulations.
• Coordinates the interactions of the laboratory with external and internal customers and oversees the validation of analytical data to support customer’s requirements while meeting local, state and federal regulations.
• Participates in the budget development process. Provides support in the development of requests for quotes (RFQ), request for proposals and bid processes and works collaboratively with stakeholders in the evaluation of contracts and vendors for delivery of goods and services for the laboratory.
• Coordinates the safety and accreditation-related training for the laboratory. Oversees the efforts of the laboratory to maintain a safe working environment according to OSHA and other applicable regulations.
• Develops and maintains a Quality Assurance and Quality Control program for monitoring; reviews and evaluates data; and recommends short- and long-term corrective measures.
• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in the Department and City attendance policies and procedures; ensures all behaviors comply with the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations.
• Investigates water quality problems in reservoirs, tributaries, treatment plants, distribution system and at customer city/industrial complexes; and assists users in resolving water quality and/or compliance issues.
• Schedules and coordinates internal and external audits, performance evaluations and studies regarding water, wastewater, and pretreatment quality assurance activities.
• Develops and reviews Quality Procedures. Provides oversight of equipment calibration log books; and develops and implements training for the laboratory personnel.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Working Conditions - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, repetitive motions, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling and lifting; depending on assignment. Incumbents may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, intense noises, gases and workspace restrictions.

Physical Demands – Depending on duty, this position typically exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently. Other working conditions may include stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, repetitive motions, climbing, pushing, pulling and lifting.