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Chemist Series

Chemist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established March 9, 2004

 

Chemist Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem Code Class Code Class
TG05 8060 Chemist
TG10 8068 Staff Chemist
TG15 8070 Supervising Chemist

Definition of Series

This series specification describes three chemist classifications used to perform a broad range of staff and supervisory chemistry work concerning agricultural, environmental, natural resources, or consumer protection, and environmental or public health. Incumbents perform or supervise chemical analyses to identify the concentration of substances that may be constituents, adulterants, contaminants, or potentially hazardous chemicals in the environment, food, consumer products, biological tissues and fluids, hazardous waste, or industrial and agricultural commodities; assist and consult on collection of field samples; use, modify, and develop methods for chemical, physical, or biological analysis; evaluate laboratory equipment and procedures; regulate public and commercial laboratories; review and evaluate data from internal or external sources; conduct literature searches; perform quality assurance; check apparatus and procedures used by field staff; provide consultation and analytical determinations to Federal, State, and local officials for the enforcement of laws relating to consumer, industrial, and agricultural commodities and in the identification and control of contaminants and pollutants in California's environment; interpret results of laboratory analyses and other findings; prepare data for court cases and act as a technical witness; write papers for publication; prepare reports; manage data archives and information systems; and perform other related work.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety, and complexity of assigned work; independence of action; degree of public and interagency contact; amount of supervision exercised or received; degree to which decisions are sought and accepted by top management; reporting relationships; extent of impact; and consequence of error.

Definition of Levels

Chemist

This class is the entry, intermediate, and full journey level of the series. Range A is the entry and first working level of the class. Under close supervision, incumbents perform a variety of the less difficult and responsible professional chemistry work within a laboratory, office, or field setting. Following detailed instructions and specific procedures, incumbents perform chemical, physical, or biological analyses; prepare standard and reagent solutions and samples for analysis; conduct less difficult surveys, investigations, inspections, and studies; draft preliminary reports and routine correspondence; perform basic maintenance of equipment and laboratory instrumentation; answer questions from the public of a routine nature; perform quality control and assurance checks; serve as a technical witness; and do other related work. Work at this level is characterized by a reliance on detailed instructions and assistance from lead persons and supervisors in the application of proven techniques and methodologies to assigned work.

 

Range B is the intermediate working level of the class. Under general supervision, incumbents perform a variety of responsible professional chemistry work of average difficulty within a laboratory, office, or field setting. Incumbents perform chemical, physical, or biological analyses, research, surveys, investigations, inspections, and studies of average difficulty; prepare standard and reagent solutions and samples for analysis; maintain equipment and laboratory instrumentation; troubleshoot equipment problems; write preliminary reports and routine correspondence; answer questions from the public of a routine nature; prepare regulatory and compliance documents; perform quality control and assurance checks; serve as a technical witness; and do other related work. Work at this level is characterized by a reliance on proven techniques and methodologies.

 

Range C is the full journey level. Under direction, incumbents perform a variety of responsible professional and complex chemistry work within a laboratory, office, or field setting. Incumbents independently perform complex chemical, physical, or biological analyses, research, surveys, investigations, inspections, and studies; prepare standard and reagent solutions and samples for analysis; write final reports; prepare regulatory and compliance documents; operate and maintain equipment and laboratory instrumentation including the more complex laboratory equipment; prepare nonroutine correspondence; answer routine or difficult questions from the public; perform quality control and assurance checks; serve as a technical witness; and do other related work. Incumbents allocated to this level perform a variety of tasks, including the more responsible, varied, and complex assignments; consult and advise public and private entities. Incumbents at this level often independently develop and implement new and advanced techniques and methodologies. Incumbents may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project or assignment.

Staff Chemist

The Staff Chemist is the specialist level of the series requiring scientific expertise above the full journey level. Under direction, incumbents independently identify problems, develop courses of action, and conduct the most complex and innovative chemistry work, including investigations, inspections, and studies on issues of major importance to the employer, and do other related work. Incumbents operate and maintain the most complex equipment and laboratory instrumentations; plan and conduct research; originate and evaluate experimental methods; make interpretative analyses of data; prepare reports and papers for internal use and external publication; represent the department at public meetings and conferences; and serve as an expert witness as necessary. Incumbents may be assigned lead responsibility for a specific project, program, function, or area of expertise.

Supervising Chemist

Under general direction, incumbents plan, organize, supervise, and direct the work of a small to medium group of professional chemists and technical staff in a laboratory or program unit. Incumbents research, evaluate, and implement new analytical methods and procedures, oversee and perform complex chemical and physical analyses, and prepare related reports; ensure quality assurance and laboratory safety; select and train staff; evaluate and make recommendations on staff performance; oversee the purchase laboratory supplies; prepare equipment specifications; assist in budget preparation; prepare or make recommendations on operational plans; and perform other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Either I

 

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, or a closely related chemistry discipline from a recognized institution. (Admission to a master's or a doctoral degree program in chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, or a closely related scientific discipline shall be considered to meet these education qualifications.)

Or II

 

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in a scientific discipline from a recognized institution with a total of 18 semester units in general chemistry, quantitative analysis, and organic chemistry with related laboratories. (Two years professional experience performing duties as a chemist, as defined in the scope of this specification, may be substituted for the required coursework.)

Chemist

Education as indicated above. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of a degree before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Staff Chemist

Supervising Chemist

Either I

 

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing duties comparable to those of a Chemist, Range C.

Or II

 

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience as a chemist in laboratory analysis, research, management, planning, regulation, or investigation, including responsibility for the development or implementation of analytical methods using complex instrumentation or research projects; or for the direction of the work of a chemical or analytical laboratory staff. (Two years of this experience must be at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Chemist, Range C, in the California state service. Possession of a Master's Degree in chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, or a closely related scientific discipline from a recognized institution may be substituted for one year of the required general experience; possession of a Doctorate in the above-named disciplines from a recognized institution may be substituted for two years of the general experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Chemist

Knowledge of: Fundamentals of organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry and biochemistry; principles, procedures, instruments, and equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analyses; quality control and assurance; toxic and physical effects of compounds and substances; applicable laws, rules, or regulations; statistics, report writing, and research methods and procedures; and personal computer and related office and instrument software.

 

Ability to: Communicate effectively; perform accurate chemical analyses following standard to complex methods; set up, adjust, calibrate, trouble-shoot, and maintain instruments; analyze and interpret test information; use, modify, or develop analytical procedures for specific needs; prepare and present evidence in court; testify as a witness; participate in research studies; prepare reports and papers for presentation or publication; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; maintain accurate records; inspect laboratories and make recommendations; use a personal computer and related office and instrument software; and learn, interpret, and apply applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Staff Chemist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and characteristics, properties, and uses of a wide variety of agricultural, industrial, and consumer chemicals and products; hazardous materials; most complex instrument methodology and analyses; and research, development, and alternate test methods.

 

Ability to: Select and modify the most complex instruments and other equipment; develop new and modify existing analytical methods and procedures; coordinate quality control and assurance programs; plan, conduct, and direct research studies; perform the most difficult and complex chemical and related physical analyses; prepare reports and papers for internal distribution and official publication; provide information to assist with investigations and prosecutions of violations of State and Federal laws and regulations; act as an expert witness; and act as a lead chemist.

Supervising Chemist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and practices of effective supervision; budgeting process and techniques; operational planning; and a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize, supervise, and direct the work of a staff of professional chemists and technical assistants; select and train staff; analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; ensure quality assurance and laboratory safety; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with departmental representatives and other agency representatives; oversee the purchase of laboratory supplies; prepare equipment specifications; assist in budget preparation; prepare or make recommendations on operational plans; and effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

 

Class History

 

Chemist Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
Class Date Established Date Revised Title Changed
Chemist 03/09/2004 -- --
Staff Chemist 03/09/2004 -- --
Supervising Chemist 03/09/2004 -- --
  Updated: 6/3/2012
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