Chemical/Material Analyst 3

Under broad to limited supervision the candidate will be responsible for performing environmental laboratory testing and bacterial analysis of water samples for the Georgia Shellfish and Water Quality Program. Responsibilities include preparing samples and conducting analyses for fecal coliform in accordance with the FDA’s National Shellfish Sanitation Program and for enterococcus in accordance with the USEPA Beach program, reviewing test results and preparing reports, maintaining laboratory equipment and quality control records, and consulting with other health professionals in the Department of Health and other state laboratories. Candidate will assign and oversee tasks performed by laboratory support staff. Some collection of field samples from vessel based platforms will be required. Candidate will be required to supervise a marine technician in the laboratory and must be able to work in Georgia's outdoor environment during all seasons.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

·         Maintain laboratory facility that conforms to Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference/National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for state shellfish and shellfish growing water analysis laboratories and conforms to all EPA guidelines for the analysis of beach water samples in support of the Georgia Healthy Beaches Program.

·         Compose and maintain a new QA/QC plan for the Georgia Shellfish Program as required by the NSSP and the Georgia Healthy Beaches Program as prescribed by the EPA.

·         Participate in all laboratory/field evaluations and required proficiency testing required by EPA and NSSP standards at a level sufficient enough to maintain FDA certification requirements

·         Prepare reports on test results, quality control, and statistical data in order to document laboratory activities per EPA and NSSP requirements

·         Consult with government officials in order to exchange information relative to submitted sample results and specimens

·         Represent the Georgia Shellfish Program Laboratory Element at the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC)

·         Oversee the coordination of safety standards and compliance and implement changes as required in order to ensure safe laboratory operations

·         Maintain accurate files for all laboratory activities in order to ensure results are accurately and promptly recorded

·         Order supplies and troubleshoot repairs for laboratory instrumentation in order to ensure efficient and effective laboratory operations

·         Maintain all equipment and quality control records and logs according  to  program associated  guidelines

·         (EPA,ISSC, FDA, and NSSP laboratory checklist)

·         Prepare, conduct and interpret a variety of routine and complex, automated and manual tests/examinations in order to accurately calibrate equipment and validate results

·         Utilize Standard  Methods  or other required  protocols to ensure good  lab practices

·         Assist with sample collection, data analysis and composition of annual Sanitary Surveys for all Shellfish Growing Areas per NSSP requirements

 Based on education and experience, the selectee will be hired into one of the below-mentioned job codes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

LSP032 – Chemical/Material Analyst 3 - $52,021.57

Bachelor's degree in a physical or natural science from an accredited college or university 

AND 

Two (2) years of experience at the lower-level Chemical/Material Analyst 2 (LSP031) or position equivalent.

LSP033 – Chemical/Material Analyst 4 - $59,655.24

Bachelor's degree in a physical or natural science from an accredited college or university 

AND 

Two (2) years of experience at the lower level Chemical/Material Analyst 3 (LSP032) or position equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference may be given to applicants with: 

·         Experience with the laboratory technique, equipment, instruments and terminology used in microbiology and/or Seafood Quality (Food) microbiology

·         Experience with multiple tube fermentation/most probable number method using MA-1 medium for analyzing shellfish water samples

·         Knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, biology, and bacteriology

·         Experience in laboratory QA/QC requirements of FDA and/or EPA

·         Experience in writing reports and keeping laboratory records

·         Experience with supervisory and/or training on laboratory analyses and QA/QC requirements