Chemist Series (216355)

Job Title: Chemist Series 

Job ID: 216355

Location: Shawnee County

Job Posting Closes: April 28, 2025

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:  

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External)
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation: 

Pay Range: 

• Chemist I - $27.56 per hour
• Chemist II - $28.37 per hour
• Chemist III - $29.18 per hour
• Chemist IV - $30.00 per hour

* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information… 

Position Summary & Responsibilities

The position (K0228437)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking a talented chemist to join the Inorganic unit in Topeka. This unit tests a variety of analytes in water, soil and other matrices for environmental pollutants using EPA methods. Primary duties involve testing metals, nutrients using ICPMS, ICPOES, Discrete analyzer, Ion Chromatography.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:   

Performs analysis of ammonia, total phosphorus and TKN in water and soil samples using discrete analysis following EPA methods 350, 365 and 351. This includes reagent and standard preparation, instrument maintenance and waste disposal.

 Performs analysis of pH, alkalinity and conductivity following the EPA and standard methods 150, SM2320B and 120. This includes reagent and standard preparation, instrument maintenance and waste disposal.

Work as an integral part of the Inorganic and RadChem Unit by providing support to other analysts when the workload demands.  Monitors inventory of supplies needed for analysis

Qualifications

Education:  

• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.

Licensing & Certification:

• Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.         

Minimum Qualifications:  

Chemist I

• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.

Chemist II

• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 1+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• OR master’s degree in a natural science field. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND must be cross trained into an additional laboratory unit within 6 months of hire.

Chemist III

• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 4+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• OR PhD in a natural science field. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• OR master’s degree in a natural science field AND 2+ years of experience an environmental laboratory setting. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND must be cross trained into an additional laboratory unit within 6 months of hire.
• AND must attend and obtain a certificate for EPA Certification Officer training within 18 months of hire.
• OR must attend and obtain a certificate for TNI Basic Assessor training within 18 months of hire.
• OR must serve on the chemical threat team for emergency preparedness.

Chemist IV

• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 10+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• OR 5+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting AND PhD in a natural science field. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• OR 7+ years of experience an environmental laboratory setting AND a master’s degree in a natural science field.  Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND must be cross trained into a total of 3 laboratory units within 1 year of hire.
• OR sit on a TNI committee.
• OR sit on an APHL committee.
• AND must attend and obtain a certificate for EPA Certification Officer training within 18 months of hire.
• AND must attend and obtain a certificate for TNI Basic Assessor training within 18 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
• Knowledgeable of EPA environmental analytical techniques for inorganic & radiological analytes.
• Knowledge of radionuclide counting techniques, statistics, radio-analytical techniques.
• Radio Chemistry Safety protocols.
• Operation of ICP-OES.
• Operation of ICP-MS.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Word, Excel.

Recruiter Contact Information

• Name: Ashley Webb
• Email: Ashley.Webb@ks.gov 
• Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612 
• Please include the Job ID number when emailing. 

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• First Sign in or register as a New User at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs 
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• Upload required documents listed for each specific job posting. 
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page.

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