CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
ANALYTICAL CHEMIST SUPERVISOR
(Environmental Analysis )
(Sanitary Analysis )
This is supervisory analytical chemistry work assigning and monitoring the work of subordinate chemists and technicians engaged in conducting a wide variety of chemical and physical analyses and research in the area of specialization. Work includes planning sample collection procedures, making test assignments, researching new or adapting existing analytical methodology, analyzing and interpreting data, approving analytical test results before release, developing and directing quality control programs and preparing technical reports. Supervision of chemists and technical laboratory personnel and acting as a resource person to other departmental administrators and provision of supporting services are significant aspects of the work. The employee works with unknown substances that are potentially dangerous. Work is performed under the general direction of a laboratory administrator or Chief Toxicologist.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
- Positions must supervise subordinate chemists and technicians engaged in conducting a wide variety of chemical and physical analyses and research in the area of specialization.
- Positions must perform the work in the Water or Health Departments.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS SPECIALTY
- Plans, assigns and checks the work of chemists in conducting a wide variety of chemical tests, sample collection procedures, research projects and analyses; determines methods and procedures to be used; selects and evaluates approaches to unforeseen or novel problems; determines methods to be used in the operation of specialized instruments in testing; participates in planning laboratory programs on the basis of specialized knowledge of problems and methods and probable value of results; interprets the meaning of test results; establishes and directs quality assurance methods to validate analytical data.
- Trains chemists and technical personnel in quality control procedures and newly developed or revised analytical methodology and the operation of new testing equipment.
- Prepares and reviews written reports and monthly and annual summaries; may prepare recommendations for annual operating budgets.
- Performs related work as required.
- Performs the above duties in one of the following areas:
SANITARY ANALYSIS SPECIALTY
- Conducts research to develop analytical and sample collection procedures to identify and characterize unknown contaminants in various environmental media, such as toxic metals in atmospheric dust, hydrocarbons in industrial products and wastes, and sulphur in fuel; interprets the significance of data from the analysis of toxic ambient air pollutants or industrial source emissions, and consolidates and presents such information in staff meetings with administrators, engineers and other individuals; advises and decides on the feasibility of conducting effective sampling and analysis of toxics in air and industrial sources when projects are being planned; adapts complex instruments, for use in testing procedures; establishes and maintains calibration manuals and calibration standard materials traceable to the National Bureau of Standards or other federal reference methods; initiates and participates in air quality data assurance activities, such as inter-laboratory audits; meets and confers with EPA scientists, independent contractors and industry representatives on sample collection, analytical procedures or the outcome of analysis; critically reviews data obtained by the EPA and private contractors performing sampling, analysis or audits for the EPA and Philadelphia area industries; evaluates new air monitoring instruments and laboratory analytical instruments for performance and acceptability; maintains computer programs to manipulate analysis data or output results; prepares or supervises the preparation of such programs and their results; reviews computer generated data for accuracy prior to its release or use in other projects; serves as consultant to other City departments and the public on hazardous materials in the environment; may testify in court.
- Conducts special research projects to improve the quality and applicability of methods of monitoring influent and effluent water and waste water, identifying and controlling chemical substances and establishing quality standards; adapts complex instrumentation for use in monitoring and analytical procedures; prepares feasibility reports on automation and instrumentation for use in controlling and determining water and waste water quality; constructs testing apparatus; investigates industrial waste problems and customer complaints concerning water quality; establishes, maintains and monitors performance at levels acceptable for certification by regulatory agencies; reviews and analyzes data results to assure compliance with accepted water quality guidelines, and federal, state and local regulations; participates in establishing and evaluating project goals; uses computers to enter or retrieve data and to perform mathematical computations; estimates personnel needs, and schedules and assigns work to meet completion date; appears in court to testify as an expert witness to present evidence brought out by laboratory tests and examinations.
- Directs applied research to develop analytical procedures to characterize performance of construction and other products and materials used by the City in a variety of applications; supervises and participates in research to adapt complex instruments for standardized use in the laboratory; establishes and maintains calibration standard materials traceable to the National Bureau of Standards or other federal reference methods; interprets complex standards and specifications for materials, products and services; develops specification and evaluates laboratory analytical instruments for performance and acceptability; serves as consultant to other City departments and agencies in material suitability, applicability and evaluation methods; researches new procedures and methods to test substances when no standard analytical methods exist; determines, by test results, if materials adhere to specifications; discusses test results with vendors or City officials and schedules retests if necessary; evaluates the hazard potential of materials for compliance with regulatory agencies; appears in court to testify as expert witness to present evidence brought out by laboratory tests and examinations.
- Interprets data from Toxicology testing; reviews and approves results before they are finalized; makes assignments for Toxicology testing using the CME computer system; serves as departmental coordinator to IT department to maintain CME computer system; carries out special projects and trains Toxicology personnel on procedural changes; participates in conducting research to develop analytical procedures for the analysis of drugs and other toxic substances used to aid the Medical Examiner in determining cause of death; writes SOP methods for technical and non-technical procedures; supervises and participates in studies to adapt advanced analytical instrumentation for standardized use in the Toxicology laboratory; participates in establishing and maintaining a quality assurance program for the laboratory including proficiency testing from outside agencies and internal quality control procedures; serves as contact for Medical Examiners, investigators, vendors and sources outside the Toxicology department to answer technical and non-technical questions; interacts with Toxicology staff, city personnel and outside vendors to insure maintenance of necessary supplies and equipment; may appear in court to testify as an expert witness to present evidence brought out by laboratory tests and examinations.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- the principles, methods and techniques of analytical chemistry
- safety practices and procedures as they apply to a laboratory
- current literature, research and trends in the area of specialization
- research methods and techniques, including the statistical treatment of scientific data, as applied to the area of specialization
- laboratory management, to include selection of equipment, assignment of personnel and determination of work priorities
- mathematics and statistics as they apply to chemistry
- of the operation and maintenance of complex instrumentation, as it relates to the area of specialization
- supervisory methods and techniques
- plan, assign and supervise the work of professional and paraprofessional chemists engaged in chemical and physical analysis of various chemicals and materials
- perform the more complex analyses and assure their accuracy in the area of specialization
- simplify, improve, adapt and standardize analytical procedures necessary to resolve problems
- prepare and interpret reports detailing the results of tests and analyses
- express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
- instruct employees in new or improved analytical procedures
- determine the necessity for research projects and supervise employees who conduct them
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, contractors, government and regulatory agencies and the general public
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 12/00.)
- Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in chemistry or chemical engineering.
- Three years of analytical chemistry experience.
- Two years of analytical chemistry experience performing complex and difficult chemical analysis at the full performance level in the area of specialization.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department, which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum and the specific experience.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
- Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of
a position in this class.
- Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as an Analytical Chemist Supervisor, if required by work assignment.
PAY RANGE: EP23
Class Established: 2/82
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC: 6/05, Ad Board: 6/05
END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 3H30