CHEMIST SPECIALIST - 42005354 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY) 1

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

9d • $52,692 - $63,230 • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the senior analyst within the laboratory section, performing complex analytical work in support of the state regulatory testing program or grant requirements. The role involves assisting in the oversight of instrumental operations, technical data review, and utilizing professional expertise to plan and coordinate daily instrument-based analyses within the section. The Chemist Specialist will also conduct technical reviews of analytical work, ensure data accuracy and completeness, and oversee maintenance and repair needs for assigned instruments, documenting all service activities. Additionally, this role supports the Environmental Manager by assisting with improving analytical methods, maintaining a clean and safe laboratory environment, and managing an inventory of supplies and chemicals. The position also provides hands-on training to new analysts, offers ongoing technical guidance, and may participate in method development activities. Collaboration with Laboratory Staff and the Laboratory Quality Manager is essential to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). This includes evaluating QA performance, reviewing control charts, initiating corrective actions, checking calculations, verifying standard procedures, and ensuring analytical standards are current and properly maintained. Regular communication with colleagues is expected to foster information sharing and a collaborative environment. The role also supports the Environmental Manager with operational improvements, cross-section collaboration, and effective coordination with administrators, supervisors, and staff from other sections. The Chemist Specialist is expected to maintain personal expertise in analytical procedures, instrument technology, quality assurance, and management through self-motivation and compliance with state and department policies.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and three (3) years of professional chemical or biochemical experience.
• A master's degree (6 years) from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and two (2) year of professional experience as described above.
• A doctorate (8 years) from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
• Knowledge of the terminology, concepts, principles and techniques of chemical research, analysis or testing.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Knowledge of quality assurance concepts, techniques, and processes.
• Skills in the use of various scientific instrumentation technologies, discernment of factors influencing analytical variations, application of techniques of analytical chemistry, and appropriate interpretation and communication of chemical concepts and generated data.
• Ability to understand and apply acquired knowledge of the principles of chemistry, perform chemical analyses using appropriate scientific methodology, exercise independent judgment and perform chemical analyses.
• Ability to plan and organize sample flow by efficient coordination of available personnel and utilization of instrumentation.
• Ability to think critically.
• Ability to train other scientists.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency.
• Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained.
• Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.
• Occasional travel required.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the senior analyst within the laboratory section, performing complex analytical work in support of the state regulatory testing program or grant requirements.
• Assists in overseeing instrumental operations, technical data review, and uses professional expertise to plan and coordinate daily instrument based analyses within the section.
• Conducts technical review of analytical work, ensures accuracy and completeness of data, and oversees maintenance and repair needs for assigned instruments, documenting service activities in the maintenance log.
• Supports the Environmental Manager with improving analytical methods as well as maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient laboratory environment as well as assist with maintains an inventory of supplies and chemicals used in the section.
• Provides hands-on training to new analysts on laboratory methods, instrumental techniques, and established procedures.
• Offers ongoing technical guidance, clarifies analytical processes, and answers questions that arise within the laboratory environment to ensure accurate, consistent, and efficient analytical practices.
• May also participate in method development activities within the laboratory, as needed.
• Collaborates with Laboratory Staff and the Laboratory Quality Manager to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
• Ensures the accuracy, reliability, and technical integrity of the laboratory’s analytical data by evaluating internal and external QA performance, reviewing control charts, initiating corrective actions when necessary, checking report calculations, verifying standard checking procedures, and ensuring that analytical standards are current and properly maintained.
• Maintains regular communication with colleagues, both individually and during staff meetings, to support effective information sharing and a collaborative laboratory environment.
• Contributes to improving the quality and efficiency of work by providing technical insight, sharing updates, and promoting teamwork within the section.
• Supports the Environmental Manager by assisting with operational improvements, encouraging cross-section collaboration, and coordinating effectively with administrators, supervisors, and staff from other sections.
• Maintains personal expertise in analytical procedures, instrument technology, quality assurance and improvement, and management through self-motivation.
• Complies with state and department policies and procedures for analysis of foods.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

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