Chemist III, Inorganic Chemistry Section

State of Utah Office of the Governor • Taylorsville, UT

9d • $35 - $53 • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time position in the Inorganic Chemistry Section involves operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting analytical instrumentation and equipment. The role includes developing, validating, and optimizing new methodologies to meet environmental quality standards. The Chemist III will perform chemical analyses of environmental samples, evaluate analytical data according to EPA and Standard Methods, and manage technical and analytical data for the section. Responsibilities also include writing comprehensive reports, maintaining rigorous analytical records and laboratory logs, preparing complex environmental samples, calibrating equipment, and developing and maintaining section SOPs, QA/QC protocols, and compliance frameworks. The position directs section operations by managing analyst workflows, conducting data reviews, providing technical support and training, driving continuous procedural improvements, and serving as the primary subject matter expert for instrument and software issues. Additionally, the role requires maintaining on-time compliance with training protocols, ensuring a safe and organized workspace, contributing to cross-functional working groups, and performing assigned administrative duties.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemistry or closely related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience working in a laboratory preparing and analyzing environmental samples.
• Expert wet chemistry and laboratory bench knowledge and skills necessary for processing and analyzing inorganic environmental samples.
• Experience in core inorganic methods, including pH, conductivity, alkalinity, TSS/TDS, turbidity, and FIA colorimetry, spectrophotometry, ion chromatography, and combustion analysis.
• Demonstrate experience in analytical method development, validation, and optimization with a working knowledge of EPA and/or Standard Methods methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing reagents, standard solutions, matrix spikes, calibration standards, and quality control samples.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously without sacrificing quality, accuracy, or thoroughness.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a team and maintain steady, professional composure during high-pressure or unpredictable situations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and written, with the ability to effectively listen, speak, read, and write in a professional laboratory environment.
• Demonstrated competence in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and Google Workspace, with proven experience creating formal reports, standard operating procedures (SOPs), business communications, and managing data processing tasks.
• Experience operating a Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to track samples, log test results, maintain laboratory workflows, and ensure data integrity.
• Experience applying QA/QC protocols in environmental chemical analysis, including validating analytical data, running control samples, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Proven track record of following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), documenting analytical records and laboratory logs completely and accurately, and maintaining chain-of-custody protocols.
• Proficient in laboratory safety protocols, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), proper handling of concentrated acids/hazardous materials, and chemical waste management.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting multiple major inorganic analytical instrumental platforms—such as ion chromatography systems, automated flow-injection analyzers, automated titrators, and UV-Vis Spectrophotometers—specifically associated with EPA methods 300.0, 300.1, 335.4, 353.2, 365.1, and Standard Methods 2320 B, 2540, 4500 (-Cl G, -NH3 H), 5310 B.
• Demonstrated experience with analytical method development and validation.
• Applied expertise with Labware LIMS versions 6 and 8, including configuration.

Responsibilities

• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots analytical instrumentation and equipment, and develops, validates, and optimizes new methodologies that meet stringent environmental quality standards.
• Performs chemical analyses of environmental samples and evaluates analytical data in accordance with EPA and Standard Methods.
• Manages technical and analytical data of the section, and writes comprehensive reports providing the necessary scientific evidence to defend analytical results when questions or disputes arise from customers, administration, or federal and state agencies.
• Maintains rigorous analytical records and daily laboratory logs, ensuring accurate documentation of analyst workflows and supervisor approvals, while maintaining traceability.
• Prepares complex environmental samples, calibrates analytical equipment and standards, and performs specialized chemical analyses.
• Develops and maintains section SOPs, QA/QC protocols, and compliance frameworks.
• Directs section operations by managing analyst workflows and conducting rigorous reviews of analytical data to ensure full compliance with federal, state, and laboratory regulatory frameworks, and providing section technical support and training.
• Drives continuous procedural improvements and serves as the primary subject matter expert (SME) for troubleshooting complex instrument and software issues.
• Maintains 100% on-time compliance with all mandatory laboratory and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) training protocols.
• Maintains a clean, organized, safe, and fully stocked laboratory section workspace.
• Actively contributes to cross-functional working groups across the section, program, and broader laboratory, including actively participating in monthly quality assurance meetings as needed.
• Performs additional analytical, operational, or administrative duties as assigned by leadership.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for a full benefits package.
• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

What This Job Offers

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