Department: Public Utilities Commission

Job Class: 2487-Chemist III

Salary range: $137,644-$167,310

Role Type: Permanent Civil Service

Hours: Full-time

Exam Type: Class Based Test

Rule: Rule of 3

List type: Combined Promotive and Entrance

General Information

Application Opening: 7/1/2024

Application Deadline: 7/15/2024

Analyst Name: Ivy Hankins

Location: Millbrae, but will require to travel to other labs

List ID: CBT-2487-U00028; REF41236U

THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

Under general direction, plans, coordinates, and conducts research projects related to the laboratory analysis of water, wastewater, and environment matrices. Develops and applies analytical methods to identify and quantify specific components in water, wastewater, and environmental matrices using sophisticated analytical instrumentation. Works independently and in conjunction with engineers and laboratory personnel to resolve water quality process problems and to achieve compliance with state and federal regulations. Trains technical and professional personnel in instrumental analysis and applications, and communicates results orally and in writing.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

Chemist III is the advanced journey level of this job code series and is distinguished by its ability to function independently with little direction. Incumbents function as the lead worker and are assigned non-routine work, research or special projects. This job code is distinguished from the Chemist II which primarily performs analysis and the Supervising Chemist which is a supervisory job code. Chemist III requires comprehensive knowledge in theory and principles of analytical chemistry and expertise and experience in extraction, purification, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), Atomic Absorption, and inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instrumental techniques.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Positions at this level do not supervise other professional employees, but may coordinate the work of technical personnel (Water Quality Technician I/II and III) and journey-level staff (Chemist I/II). This position may exercise supervision during absence of Supervising Chemist.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Theory and principles of organic and/or inorganic chemistry; analytical instrumentation; scientific method and research methodology; quality assurance methodology; statistical methods and analysis; handling of computerized data acquisition systems; and applications of automated information systems.

Ability to: Apply theory and principles of organic and/or inorganic chemistry to research projects; interpret and analyze scientific data; develop methodology to address non-routine analytical problems; develop and apply most current analytical technology to environmental analyses; write technical reports for water quality personnel and clients; prepare technical reports for publication; interact effectively with colleagues, supervisors, and clients; train laboratory personnel in developed methodology and instrumental analysis; make recommendations on purchase of laboratory equipment and instrumentation; and operate computerized information systems.

Skill in: oral and written communication: active listening and giving clear and concise verbal presentations and preparing laboratory documentation, reports, notices and correspondence; and use of computerized information systems.

Qualifications

1. Possession of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry or closely related laboratory science; 

                                                            AND

2. Six (6) years verifiable laboratory experience in instrumental analysis, methods development and applied research in the fields of organic and inorganic chemistry

                                                            AND

3. Possession of a current valid driver license;

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#qualifications) and Verification of Experience and/or Education (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#verification) for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Desirable Qualifications:

• 4-6 years’ experience working in an ELAP accredited laboratory.

• 3-4 years’ experience in with TNI (The NELAC Institute) Standards (2003, 2009, or 2016).

• 3-4 years’ experience in preparing/analyzing samples using EPA approved environmental analytical methods (Standard Methods, CFR Parts 136 and 141 methods, SW846 methods).

• 3-4 years’ experience using an accreditation management system such as Ideagan, PowerDMS, etc.

• Proficient in Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). 

• Advanced proficiency in office productivity software such as Microsoft Office Suite.

   

EXAM INFORMATION

Exam Type: Combined, Promotive and Entrance

Certification Rule: Rule of Three (3)

Eligible List Duration: Twelve (12) months.

The duration of the eligible list may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director. 

Selection Procedures

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

• Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) completed online (Qualifying) and

• Online Supplemental Essay Exam (100%) measuring KSAs

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ)

Once the application is closed, qualified candidates will be sent a Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) to complete.  

Supplemental Questionnaire Essay Exam (100%)

The purpose of the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) is to evaluate the experience, knowledge, skills and abilities that candidates possess in job-related areas, which have been identified as critical for this position and include, but are not limited to: knowledge of chemistry, EPA methods analysis of water/wastewater, QA/QC protocols, laboratory safety rules and regulations, communication skills, and supervisory skills.

Qualified candidates will be sent email notices to complete the MQSQ and SQ exam. Failure to complete these steps by the established deadlines will result in disqualification. 

A passing score must be achieved on the exam to be placed on the eligible list and continue in the selection process.  Additional selection processes, like interviews, may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

Score Report/Eligible List

A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. 

Additional Information

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of twelve (12) months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

For CBT/CCT Job Ads:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.  [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4.  Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.  Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)

• Conviction History

• Employee Benefits Overview  (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)  

• Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)  

• Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)

• ADA Accommodation

• Veterans Preference (http://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#veteranspreference)

• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams [required for Combined, Promotive, Entrance (CPE) Exams only]

• Right to Work (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#identification)

• Copies of Application Documents

• Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#diversitystatement)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “Apply” button and follow instructions on the screen

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Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at Ivy Hankins and ihankins@sfwater.org

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.