Environmental Laboratory Auditor-Organic Chemist-Liquid Chromatography Specialist (Chemist 4)

State of Washington•Kitsap County – Manchester, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Environmental Laboratory Auditor-Organic Chemist-Liquid Chromatography Specialist (Chemist 4) within the Environmental Assessment Program. This position helps protect Washington’s environment and public health by accrediting environmental laboratories, ensuring they can produce accurate and defensible analytical data. The role involves evaluating laboratory capabilities, conducting on-site and virtual audits, and serving as the program’s subject matter expert in Organic Chemistry by Liquid Chromatography. It offers meaningful scientific work with opportunities to broaden technical expertise, support statewide environmental initiatives, and take on responsibility within the accreditation program.

Requirements

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include all the following:
A minimum of five (5) years of experience employed in the conduct of bench scale laboratory testing, using similar methods and techniques for which auditing services would be provided.
Organic Chemistry Assessment – Ability to evaluate Organic Chemistry procedures, QA/QC, SOPs, detection limit studies, and analytical data to determine whether laboratories can produce valid results.
Communication – Clearly communicates technical and regulatory information in writing and verbally, including explaining requirements, analytical procedures, good laboratory practices, and documentation standards to ensure accuracy, traceability, defensibility, and consistent understanding across all interested parties.
Liquid Chromatography Expertise – Ability to perform specialized technical reviews in Liquid Chromatography to ensure accurate and defensible data.
Attention to Detail – Ability to review complex documents, data, and records carefully to support accreditation decisions.
Professional Judgment – Ability to interpret information, apply policy, and make sound, objective recommendations that support program goals.
Collaboration and Relationships – Ability to work effectively with colleagues, laboratories, and external partners to support consistent accreditation practices.
Analytical Method and Data Evaluation – Ability to assess laboratory procedures, instrument data, performance results, and demonstrations of capability, and to interpret technical information to validate analytical results and determine whether laboratory practices meet required standards.
Education involving a major study in chemistry, environmental science, microbiology, or a related scientific field with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college-level chemistry.
Examples of how to qualify: 10 years of experience.
9 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
8 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
7 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
6 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.

Nice To Haves

Regulatory Application – Ability to interpret and apply state and federal regulatory standards to ensure laboratories meet required compliance expectations.
Audit and Evaluation – Ability to conduct audits and assess laboratory practices to identify issues and recommend corrective actions that improve performance.
Database and Software Use – Ability to use accreditation databases and standard office software to document work, communicate findings, and support program operations.

Responsibilities

Process initial and renewal applications for laboratory accreditation.
Review quality assurance manuals, standard operating procedures, analytical data, and performance testing results submitted in support of applications for accreditation.
Make recommendations to the Laboratory Accreditation Unit supervisor on whether laboratories can produce accurate and defensible analytical data.
Prepare correspondence informing laboratories of their accreditation status and maintain accurate records in the accreditation database.
Serve as the program’s liquid chromatography specialist, reviewing documentation and analytical data generated through LC/MS/MS instrumentation.
Conduct on-site and virtual audits of laboratories, either independently or as the organic chemistry specialist on an audit team.
Prepare clear, detailed audit reports and recommend corrective actions to improve laboratory procedures.
Track and verify laboratory compliance with audit findings.