Chemist

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) is seeking a full-time Chemist I position in the Laboratory Services Division. This position (PIN #04000506) is in state government, located in Oklahoma City, OK. The State of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive Benefits Package, including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.  

The hourly pay for this position is up to $25.51 based on education and experience.  

Position Description:   This chemist position in the Pesticide Section will routinely test soil, vegetation, and other related samples for compliance with the State of Oklahoma rules and other FIFRA related guidelines. This position is also responsible for maintaining pesticide standards for the whole section, obtaining and analyzing samples by standard operating procedures, analyzing and assessing data, and helping to maintain laboratory cleanliness and organization.  

Typical Functions:  

Analyzes water, soil, and other agricultural samples to determine levels of compliance with state and federal regulations or applicable specifications. 

Implements the use of approved methods and procedures in the analysis of samples, and of Quality Assurance practices and procedures in all analytical and study processes. 

Maintains scientific instrumentation and related equipment within the laboratory. 

Maintains supply inventories necessary to perform all laboratory analyses. 

May serve as an expert witness in the interpretation of laboratory analysis for the enforcement of state and federal regulations. 

Evaluates and prepares reports on the results of analyses and studies. 

Researches, develops and assists in the implementation of long term planning for the efficient use of the state’s air, water, land and agricultural resources. 

Level Description: This is the basic level of the job family where employees are assigned duties for performing routine entry level work in evaluating regulations concerning analytical data and methods, applying them to performance of assigned analysis, preparing technical reports for special studies, and making recommendations on remedial actions to correct problems.  In this role, they will perform tasks involved with routine chemical analysis and report preparation, and will assist with technical investigations, planning and implementing research projects, and complex chemical analysis.  Assigned duties may include sample preparation and extraction, operation and analysis of gas chromatography mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) and ICP mass spectrometry, ion chromatography, flow injection, radio chemistry, wet chemical, biological, and physical analyses. 

Education and Experience: Education and Experience requirements for entry at this level consist of a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biological or environmental science. 

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required to perform work at this level include knowledge of chemical laboratory testing procedures and equipment; of instruments and test apparatus; of the purpose of the chemical analysis being performed and of the materials being analyzed. Ability is required to operate laboratory equipment, to write technical reports and to apply laboratory safety procedures. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The person in this position must be able to work in a safe manner with concentrated, dangerous pesticides and solvents in a laboratory setting. The position requires working with toxic chemicals and often requires standing for extended periods of time with occasional moderate to heavy lifting, not more than 50 pounds. The use of personal protective equipment and safety protocols are required. Some in-state and out-of-state travel may be required.  

Special Requirements:  

This position is subject to a twelve-month probationary period. 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8. 

Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request.