Seasonal Chemist (Chemist 1)
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.
Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/iP3K7JoLe1k
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Seasonal Chemist (Chemist 1) in Hillsboro, Oregon. This seasonal position would be from approximately May – October 2021, and you would potentially have the option to come back the following summer.
Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division’s (LEAD) mission is to provide timely, high quality data and information through monitoring, laboratory services, and data analysis. The Division serves the Agency programs and regional offices throughout Oregon and provides the scientific information necessary for the agency to achieve its mission to be an active leader to restore, enhance, and maintain the quality of Oregon’s air, water, and land. Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.
What you will do!
You will perform and assist with entry-level work in an analytical laboratory. You will perform analyses on a variety of environmental samples using classical wet bench techniques. You may occasionally assist a senior chemist in the sample preparation activities on liquid, solid, and semi-solid samples prior to instrumental analyses. Some activities require the use of simple analytical instrumentation. Your role may support multiple departments within the Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division.
What’s in it for you!
The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 10 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today!
This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
What are we looking for?
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or 3 years of experience performing chemical tests and procedures (an equivalent combination of college-level chemistry coursework and chemistry work experience is acceptable).
Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following desired attributes:
- Experience working in an environmental laboratory performing sample preparations and/or analyses using EPA methods.
- Experience working in an environmental laboratory under a TNI/NELAC or ISO 17025 compliant quality system.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a production laboratory environment.
- Experience with a commercially available Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), uploading, retrieving, processing, and reviewing sample and quality control data.
Working Conditions:
Work is primarily in an instrumentation area of a chemical laboratory with potential chemical and electrical hazards, including exposures to environmental samples of unknown toxicity and pathogenic potential; handling or being near toxic, flammable, or carcinogenic materials; and high voltage or current associated with instrument operation and repair. There will be occasional physical risks from lifting loads of up to 50 pounds. Though rare, occasional statewide travel under various weather conditions may be required.
How to Apply: (complete the application in full)
- External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.
- Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account. View this job aid for assistance.
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Please Note: In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the “What are we looking for?” section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application material.
Veterans Information:
DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information, please go here: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. You will be asked to submit those at a later time.
Pay Equity:
As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. Please visit http://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/equity.aspx for more information.
Work Authorization:
DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.
Questions/Need Help?
If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact Maddy Ouye, Human Resources Analyst, at madeline.ouye@deq.state.or.us or (503) 347-5759. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.