Chemist II

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: January 7th, 2026

Required documents uploaded by: January 7th, 2026

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State's Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External).
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Sponsorship: KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.

Compensation:

• Pay Range:

• Chemist I - $27.56 per hour

• Chemist II - $28.37 per hour
• Chemist III - $29.18 per hour
• Chemist IV - $30.00 per hour
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K

KS Dept of Health and Environmental Laboratories is seeking experienced chemist to perform organic analytical testing using GC, GCMS, for analysis of pesticides, volatiles, disinfecting by products in water and soil. Located in Topeka. Specific method training will be provided.

Job responsibilities: Public Drinking Water and Environmental Monitoring - Analyze samples from Public Water Systems to ensure they are meeting the Safe Drinking Water requirements. These samples are analyzed for Volatile Organic Compounds, Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds and disinfectant by products. In addition, raw water samples such as ground water or surface water and soil samples are analyzed for Volatile Organic Compounds to support the environmental monitoring programs of the State of Kansas.

Must be able to follow written SOP's, Test Methods and EPA methods as defined.

Responsible for compliance data review and reporting as required by the State and US-EPA.

A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required for this role as it is a requirement set by EPA.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Quality Improvement: Includes a wide variety of laboratory enhancements such as bringing new instruments online, improving existing processes, cross-training on other laboratory processes, and thoroughly training others as needed.

Works as an integral part of the Organic Chemistry unit by providing support to other analysts when the workload demands. Monitors inventory of supplies needed for analysis.

Perform other duties as assigned including serving as a member of the KDHE Disaster Response Team as needed to assure the agency's public and environmental health response is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism.

Responsible for reading and implementing the KDHE Strategic Plan. Reviewing the Core Values, Priority Areas, Impact Statement and assisting to complete the Strategic Plan Summary and assure Goals are met.

Qualifications

• Education:
• Licensing & Certification:
• Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
• Minimum Qualifications:
• Chemist I
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry.
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
• Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• Chemist II
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 1 years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• AND Must be cross-trained into an additional laboratory unit within 6 months of hire.
• Chemist III
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 4 years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• AND must be cross-trained into an additional laboratory unit within 6 months of hire.
• AND must attend and obtain a certificate for EPA Certification Officer training within 18 months of hire.
• Chemist IV
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 10 years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• AND Must be cross-trained into a total of 3 laboratory units within 1 year of hire.
• AND Must attend and obtain a certificate for EPA Certification Officer training within 18 months of hire.
• AND Must attend and obtain a certificate for TNI Basic Assessor training within 18 months of hire.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Kyle Sanders

Email:

Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
• Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
• Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
• Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at : "How to Apply for a Job – Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at : "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to , scanned and emailed to , or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

Salary : $28 - $30