What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chemist (Pollution Control Lab) position at City of Fort Collins?
POSITION TITLE: Chemist (Pollution Control Lab) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8543
DEPARTMENT: One Water Planning & Sciences
LOCATION: WASTEWATER PLANT # 2 FACs
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) Classified Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $67,536.00 - 112,560.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $74,000.00 - 86,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 7/29/2026 . At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.
Post-Offer Requirements
Job Summary
The City of Fort Collins is seeking an experienced Chemists to join our team in the Pollution Control Lab (PCL). In this role, you will play a vital part in safeguarding our community's human health and environmental well-being by joining our team conducting sampling and analytical testing on wastewaters and surface waters and supporting treatment plant operations. Your work will directly contribute to the City's efforts to provide safe drinking water and to monitor and mitigate pollution from wastewater and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents. Join us in making Fort Collins a sustainable, healthy, and vibrant place to live.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
No
City Competencies
Minimum Preferred
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Chemistry, microbiology, biological sciences, natural science
Experience Requirements
Chemist
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.
Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
REQUISITION #: req8543
DEPARTMENT: One Water Planning & Sciences
LOCATION: WASTEWATER PLANT # 2 FACs
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU) Classified Employee Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $67,536.00 - 112,560.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $74,000.00 - 86,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 7/29/2026 . At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.
Post-Offer Requirements
- Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
- Motor vehicle report While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.
- Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
- Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
- Retirement company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
- Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
- Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
- Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- Wellness program, workout facilities
- Employee/family onsite health clinic
- Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
- Collaborative work environment
Job Summary
The City of Fort Collins is seeking an experienced Chemists to join our team in the Pollution Control Lab (PCL). In this role, you will play a vital part in safeguarding our community's human health and environmental well-being by joining our team conducting sampling and analytical testing on wastewaters and surface waters and supporting treatment plant operations. Your work will directly contribute to the City's efforts to provide safe drinking water and to monitor and mitigate pollution from wastewater and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents. Join us in making Fort Collins a sustainable, healthy, and vibrant place to live.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
- Develops, troubleshoots, standardizes, and calibrates new and existing lab and field equipment, instrumentation and analytical methods.
- Develops formulas, processes, techniques and analytical methods for solution of technical problems.
- Collects samples, including at remote locations requiring driving, walking on hard floors and uneven terrain, and navigating multiple flights of stairs.
- Prepares chemical reagents and analytical standards.
- Performs organic/ inorganic chemical and microbiological evaluation of samples.
- Uses a variety of highly technical and advanced instrumentation as well as laboratory software to process data and calculate results; evaluates and applies required quality control parameters and procedures.
- Verifies and enters data into Laboratory Information Management System.
- Prepares technical papers, analytical summaries, statistics and reports.
- Prepares and updates standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, and tests.
- Provides training to other laboratory chemists and laboratory assistants in lab techniques, processes and analytical procedures.
- Responds to customer inquiries and complaints and provides information to the public.
- Troubleshoots, maintains and repairs highly specialized and advanced laboratory instruments and equipment.
- May be required to cover on-call duties after hours, and on weekends and holidays.
- May assume supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the supervisor.
No
City Competencies
- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
- A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
- A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
- Skilled in the use of general and advanced laboratory instrumentation, including but not limited to: GC/MS, ICP-MS, automated flow injection ion analyzer, ion chromatographs, and other laboratory equipment.
- Skilled in the use of computers and programs.
- Skilled in laboratory instrument maintenance, repair and troubleshooting.
- Ability to perform statistical analysis.
- Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control measures.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
- Knowledge of aseptic technique and lab sterilization procedures.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff, departments and other agencies.
Minimum Preferred
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Chemistry, microbiology, biological sciences, natural science
Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, biological sciences, natural science, or related field; plus a minimum of one year of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Valid driver's license
Chemist
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.
Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Salary : $67,536 - $112,560