Senior Chemist

The Alameda County Water District in Fremont, California, is seeking to hire a Senior Chemist to join the team of analysts in the water quality laboratory. The laboratory is staffed with a supervisor, senior chemist, three chemists, and three laboratory technicians. The incumbent will report to the Laboratory Services Supervisor and will perform duties that include, but are not limited, to the following:

- perform analyses on drinking water with emphasis on use of the more complex sophisticated instruments such as ICP-MS, GC-MS and ion chromatograph,

- maintain knowledge and capability to perform tests for bacteriological, chemical, and physical parameters used in the laboratory and at District facilities,

- monitor the work of technicians to ensure sampling and analyses are performed as scheduled and following documented procedures,

- provide or assign training on sampling techniques and analytical methods for laboratory staff and other District employees,

- support District water quality monitoring programs by insuring adequate inventory of necessary chemicals and supplies and availability of trained staff,

- participate in the purchase, implementation, periodic calibration, and maintenance of instruments and general use laboratory equipment and supplies,

- ensure data generated by other analysts is complete, correct, reasonable, and representative,

- speak with District's customers who call with complaints regarding appearance of water (e.g., unusual color, particles), taste, and odor.

Senior Chemist is the advanced journey-level classification in the professional chemist series. This classification is distinguished from the Chemist I and II by expert level knowledge and skill in performing water quality analyses. The Senior Chemist is distinguished from the Laboratory Services Supervisor in that the latter supervises all laboratory operations and personnel including this class.

Examples of Duties

TYPICAL DUTIES

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

- Analyzes environmental samples using sophisticated instruments such as ICPMS, GCMS, and ion chromatograph.

- Maintains knowledge of and capability to perform other analyses used in the laboratory and at District facilities.

- Participates in the evaluation of new instruments, equipment, or sampling techniques.

- Assists District staff with special testing and development of special analytical methods.

- Provides or assigns training on sampling techniques and/or analytical methods for laboratory staff and other District employees; ensures training activities are documented.

- Plans and monitors the work of laboratory technicians to ensure sampling and analyses are performed as scheduled and following documented procedures; provides information for laboratory technician performance evaluations.

- Supports District water quality monitoring programs by but not limited to ensuring adequate chemicals and supplies for required test methods, and availability of trained laboratory staff.

- Maintains the laboratory inventory of supplies and equipment; orders needed items or submits purchase requests.

- Oversees the purchase, calibration, and maintenance of general laboratory equipment such as balances, thermometers, refrigerators, incubators, and autoclave.

- Assists in developing, review, and updating the laboratory’s written Quality System Manual, Chemical Hygiene Plan, standard operating procedures, forms, and other controlled documents.

- Calculates, summarizes, and verifies acceptability of analytical limits of quantitation and control limits.

- Performs or directs internal audits of analytical methods and quality assurance practices to ensure compliance with environmental laboratory regulations on certification, identify biases, and areas for improvement.

- Represents the District with water industry laboratory groups; stays informed about current developments in the field by attending professional workshops and seminars.

- Performs other related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of:

Education and Experience:

Possession of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry or a related field; and four (4) years of full-time experience as a professional chemist and at least two (2) years’ experience in water or wastewater analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods and techniques; standard laboratory equipment and its care and use; good analytical laboratory practices and aseptic techniques; basic physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics of raw and treated water and the fundamentals of water treatment; proper water sampling techniques; state and federal laws and regulations relating to water quality; laboratory quality assurance and quality control practices; basic statistical analysis calculations; the safe use of hazardous chemicals and electronic instruments; research methods; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet software.

Skill and Ability to: set up, operate, and perform minor maintenance on a variety of laboratory equipment; perform and interpret the results of standard tests of water; perform accurate calculations; analyze complex technical water quality problems and arrive at reasonable conclusions; explain technical issues to non-technical persons; plan test procedures, set priorities, and organize work; prepare clear and concise written reports; operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Selection Procedure

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

- Application materials must be submitted online at www.acwd.org no later than 5:00 p.m., on Friday, September 12, 2025. Application materials must include a completed Alameda County Water District Employment application AND Supplemental Questionnaire. Incomplete applications will not be given further consideration.

- All applications will be evaluated and candidates who present the best job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview process.

- Employment offers are normally made following conduct of reference checks and are always contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical exam, as well as a security background check.

- Employment is made contingent upon verification of identity and legal right to work in the U.S.A. pursuant to federal law, and the signing of a loyalty oath, pursuant to the state law.

Health Insurance: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. Under the Cafeteria Plan, employees will receive a flex dollar allowance to purchase healthcare coverage, and qualifying voluntary products.

Dental and Vision: Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.

Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.

Classic member: Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.

New member: Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.

Social Security/Medicare: The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.

Retiree Health Benefits: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.

Life Insurance: The District provides you with Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one and one half times your annual salary to a maximum of $250,000. There is no cost to employee for this insurance.

Long Term Disability: The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit of $15,000.

Short Term Disability: Coverage is provided through the District for employees working more than 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $2,350.

Deferred Compensation: Optional deferred income plans allowing tax sheltering of current income and payment later as supplemental retirement income. The District pays a match of up to $2,250 per year to the employee's 401(a).

Vacation: 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.

Holidays: 11 days per year.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year

Management Leave: 80 hours to 96 hours of Management Leave per calendar year (depending on classification).

Employee Assistance Program: Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.

Tuition Reimbursement: The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.