Chemist III
Opening Date: January 17, 2025
Closing Date: January 31, 2025
Job Class Code: 6403
Grade: 27 (Supervisory)
Salary: $61,942.40 - $87,464.00 per year*
*plus an additional 10% stipend
Position Number: 02032-0421
Location: Augusta
In this position you will serve as a Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) for the Environmental section of the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL). This position will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of the laboratory’s quality system and quality assurance program are effectively performed, maintained, and evaluated to meet necessary accreditation requirements of that of Maine Laboratory Accreditation Program (MLAP), Radiation Control Program (RCP), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA LAP), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You will have oversight of the quality system and quality assurance program that includes but is not limited to the maintenance and implementation of standard operating procedures, quality policies, manuals, and procedures, and documentation practices, performance and oversight of internal and external laboratory audits, overseeing proficiency tests, developing quality assurance training, and ensuring accreditation certification is secured.
Core Responsibilities:
As a key member of the HETL team, your core responsibilities will include:
• Oversight of quality assurance manual, policies, procedures, training, and associated daily quality control verifications
• Oversee equipment indexing, equipment calibrations, and assure procurement requirements are maintained for the service and preventative maintenance of equipment used in analyses
• Review and ensure appropriate QC data are well documented and meet regulatory QC acceptance criteria to substantiate validity of results issued to clients/customers
• Responsible for review and approval of method validations
• Ensure that established corrective action procedures for out-of-control situations are established and followed
• Communicate and collaborate with staff, supervisors, and accreditation agencies to perform external audits, ensure accreditation requirements are met, and the laboratory maintains certification
• Order proficiency tests (PT), and develop and communicate PT schedules and results to section supervisors who coordinate performance of the PT’s
• Maintain, organize, and retain documentation and traceable records of all testing standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality assurance manuals, processes, or procedures, individual competency records, sample analyses, PT’s, audits, calibrations, authorizations, and current method detection limits (MDLs) for all analytes
• Serve as contact for internal and external agencies and customers regarding problems
• Oversee and document training of all staff prior to analyzing samples
• Manage the archiving document management system of obsolete and superseded SOPs, manuals, records and files associated with sample analyses
• Annually evaluate the management and quality systems to ensure they meet accreditation requirements, provide effective guidance in the success of laboratory operations and analyses, and develop quantitatively measurable quality objectives for continual quality improvements
• Serve as an ethics member to evaluate and develop ethics and data integrity training and investigate any ethical issues or concerns
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related laboratory science and four (4) years professional level experience in analytical chemistry. Equivalent experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Preferred candidates will also have:
• Documented training and/or experience in quality assurance/quality control procedures and knowledge of the approved analytical methods and quality system requirements
• Knowledge and experience with state and federal laboratory accreditation standards including ISO 17025, AIHA, EPA, MLAP Laboratory Accreditation standards
• and Standard Methods for the analysis of environmental samples
• Experience leading internal and external audits or working with regulatory agencies
• Experience working both independently and within a team in an analytical laboratory
• Solid foundations in chemistry and instrumental analysis to aid in method development and review and approve validations
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and Excel
• Well organized and goal oriented to develop plans of actions necessary to meet stringent deadlines
• Harbors and encourages a team-oriented environment through excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to gather diverse collective ideas and develop solution-oriented improvements for the quality system and its analyses that meets the need of accreditation requirements and that Environmental team
• Operates with honesty and integrity while being open minded and considerate to the opinions and skillset of each individual
Thinking about applying?
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Agency information:
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.
The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.
Application Information:
Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.
*To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application.
For additional information about this position please contact Samson Omole, Associate Director, at (207) 287-2703.
To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.Hernandez@Maine.gov
Benefits of working for the State of Maine:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
- Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
- Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.