ANALYTICAL CHEMIST II

Location:                DNREC- Division of Water                                                     

                                Environmental Laboratory Section                                 

                                Richardson & Robbins Building

                                89 Kings Highway

                                Dover, DE 19901

Deadline:     May 15, 2026

Salary:         $59,055.00 

This is not a State of Delaware merit position.  It is a one-year contractual position with the opportunity to work long term.

The Kent Conservation District (KCD), a governmental subdivision of the State of Delaware, is seeking applicants for the contractual services position of Analytical Chemist II with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Water – Environmental Laboratory Section.

JOB SUMMARY

The selected candidate will conduct field sample collection, processing, and analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, under the supervision of the senior Analytical Chemist and/or the Laboratory Manager.  Concern for the environmental and human health risks of PFAS contamination continues to grow.  Analysis of PFAS is complex and labor-intensive.  The selected candidate will play a critical role in supporting the PFAS laboratory.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties.

• Participates in planning, field sampling, receiving, processing, digesting, and/or extracting environmental samples for analysis collected from, but not limited to, surface water, ground water, and wastewater sources. Other matrices include biosolids, tissues, and other substrates.
• Prepares standards, reagents, and reaction solvent mixes/chemicals. Safe use of potentially hazardous chemicals, such as concentrated acids and organic solvents, is required.
• Responsible for thorough and timely data documentation and adherence to good laboratory practices, SOPs, quality assurance processes, and other guidelines.
• May be responsible for analyses of various sample matrices using analytical instruments such as LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-AES, segmented flow, and elemental analyzers.
• Communication with laboratory clients, customers, project managers, inter- and intra-departmental members, and public stakeholders.
• Required to utilize laboratory information systems, conduct statistical analyses, and evaluate data quality.
• Reports to a technical or administrative superior. Must coordinate with supervisor and other coworkers to complete analyses within designated sample holding times and defined result turn-around times.
• May assist with method development procedures under the direction of senior Analytical Chemists and/or other technical experts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Applicants must have the following:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Forensic Science or related field.
• Six months experience in generating and interpreting chemical test data by performing quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Six months experience in selecting laboratory test methods and procedures.
• Six months experience in physical, organic, inorganic or analytical chemistry.
• Six months experience in using laboratory equipment and instrumentation including calibration and maintenance.
• Six months experience in technical report writing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for the position class; therefore, the KSA's listed are not exhaustive.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of analytical chemistry, basic statistics, laboratory safety, quality control, field sampling, result interpretation and data quality evaluation.
• Skill in the application, care, maintenance, and troubleshooting of complex analytical instrumentation.
• Skill in selecting and modifying test methods and procedures, generating and interpreting chemical test data.
• Skill in conducting data review.
• Ability to recognize and mediate diverse/conflicting priorities.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Conservation District participates in the Federal E-Verify system to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.  The Conservation District shall require verification of identity, validating you are lawfully permitted to work in the United States beyond a temporary period without employment-based sponsorship.
• The Conservation District does not provide sponsorship for holders of H-1B Visas.
• Direct Deposit of paychecks is required of all new employees.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License is required (not suspended, revoked, cancelled, or disqualified from driving.)

BENEFITS

The Kent Conservation District offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:  37.5-hour work week with flexible scheduling options, 9.5 hours per month of accrued vacation leave and 9.5 hours per month of accrued sick leave (prorated the first month of employment), and 12 paid holidays per year (holidays and floating holidays follow the State of Delaware schedule.)  Health insurance and pension are also included in the benefits package.

The Kent Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and

values a diverse workforce.

TO APPLY

Please email 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, and 3) Kent Conservation District Employment Application to:

Jamie L. Willey, MBA

DNREC District HR Manager

Jamie.L.Willey@delaware.gov

(302) 608-5478

Kent Conservation District Employment Application may be downloaded from the Kent Conservation District Employment Opportunities website: KCD Website