Associate Chemist

City of New York • New York City, NY

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of Disease Control’s mission is to safeguard the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases. The NYC Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is one of the largest local public health laboratories in the United States where employees contribute to the health and safety of NYC residents by providing clinical and environmental laboratory testing services. The PHL is committed to its mission to safeguard the health of all NYC residents by providing quality laboratory testing services that support the priorities of DOHMH and its community partners to prevent and respond to clinical and environmental public health concerns. The DOHMH PHL seeks a qualified candidate to serve as Associate Chemist Level I to work in our Environmental laboratory. The Associate Chemist I position will play an integral role in laboratory testing and responding to public health threats, including but not limited to COVID-19, vaccine preventable diseases, HIV, Legionella as well as respiratory, foodborne, and waterborne disease outbreaks.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by 16 semester credits in chemistry and 8 semester credits in any one or a combination of the following areas: chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, environmental science, forensic science, or other natural science.
• At the time of appointment to a clinical laboratory, candidates must possess a valid License as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist issued by the New York State Education Department. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• For Assignment Level II and above: at least two years of fulltime satisfactory experience performing chemical or physical analyses in a laboratory.
• All candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college with the specialized credits as described above.

Nice To Haves

• Education may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college in any of the areas of study described in the qualification requirements above for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory testing and procedures on clinical and environmental specimens submitted to the PHL.
• Analyze, coordinate, and manage daily laboratory operations and during outbreak events.
• Plan, and prepare, laboratory services relating to regulatory standards and organization’s policies.
• Prioritize and schedule work to optimize operational service.
• Ensure all regulatory and safety standards are followed and serves as a resource for accreditation compliance.
• Review laboratory purchase of inventory, storage, and supplies usage.
• Assist the Unit Chief and/or Director with laboratory activities and operations.
• Participate in cross-training program within PHL to assist with routine and surge events.
• Help establish or modify technical and non-technical procedures as needed.
• Maintain records and perform tasks related to laboratory testing.
• Maintain a program of quality control, participating in a program of quality assurance, and taking corrective action when needed.

Benefits

• premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level