Water Quality Chemist I / II ( Multi - Level Position )

Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for 2.2 million people in the Denver Metro area.

At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region’s health and environment.

This position will be filled at one of the following levels depending upon the candidate's qualifications:

Water Quality Chemist I ($57,532.80-$80,246.40 Annually)
Performs laboratory analyses for chemical, biochemical, physical, and microbiological properties of water, wastewater, biosolids and soil samples. Works under the direct supervision of a Laboratory Supervisor.
Water Quality Chemist II ($67,100.80-$93,600.00 Annually)
Performs laboratory analyses for chemical, biochemical, physical, and microbiological properties of water, wastewater, biosolids and soil samples. Works under the direct supervision of a Laboratory Supervisor.

Qualifications:

Water Quality Chemist I
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
 Knowledge of:

• Basic understanding of laboratory instrumentation, procedures and techniques
• Basic mathematics
• Basic understanding of Laboratory QA/QC processes 
• Basic chemical handling and lab safety
• MS Office software and general office processes and procedures 

 
Skilled at:

• Effective communication
• Working in a laboratory performing chemical, biochemical or microbiological analyses
• Recordkeeping
• Efficient management of time to meet deadlines and hold times for analyses 

 
Ability to:

• Follow technical instructions accurately
• Pay attention to detail in executing laboratory procedures.
• Complete work in a timely manner
• Perform effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Demonstrate ethics, integrity, and a respectful attitude towards co-workers
• Work in a dynamic environment, adapting to changing priorities and multitasking efficiently.
• Show consistent self-direction and initiation of tasks

 Education
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in chemistry, biology, or related fields. Valid driver license.

Water Quality Chemist II

Knowledge of:

• Laboratory instrumentation, procedures, and techniques
• Laboratory troubleshooting methods
• Basic mathematics
• Laboratory QA/QC processes 
• Laboratory safety, chemical handling, and hazardous waste disposal 
• MS Office software and general office processes and procedures 

 
Skilled at:

• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Written and oral communication, including scientific writing, recordkeeping and maintaining accurate documentation 
• Working in a laboratory performing chemical, biochemical or microbiological analyses
• Training and mentoring staff
• Efficient management of time to meet deadlines and hold times for analyses 
• Using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)  

 
Ability to:

• Provide leadership and oversight in a technical or analytical laboratory area
• Develop new laboratory procedures and/or bring instrumentation on-line
• Provide technical expertise, and train and mentor laboratory analyst Is and IIs 
• Develop and maintain efficient and effective workflows in assigned areas
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic issues related to laboratory instrumentation and equipment and demonstrate good judgment.
• Work in a dynamic environment, adapting to changing priorities and multitasking efficiently.
• Effectively communicate and interact with peers, management, and others both orally and in writing 
• Show consistent self-direction and initiation of tasks
• Perform effectively in a collaborative team environment

 Education 
Bachelor's degree or equivalent with major course work in chemistry, biology, or related fields and a valid driver’s license are required.
 

Working Conditions:

Frequent inside Laboratory setting including use of hot ovens and inside cold walk-in refrigerators; Outside environment in all Colorado weather conditions and temperatures when collecting samples; Frequent exposure to direct sun; Wet/Humid Conditions; Residential and Commercial wastewater/Biosolids; Variety of floor surfaces including concrete; Gravel; Asphalt; Dirt; Tile; Loose stones; Uneven surfaces; Slippery surfaces; Wet surfaces; Frequent work with acids and other chemicals; Lighting conditions including natural light; fluorescent; incandescent; and low light;  Vibration; Moving equipment such as carboys, sample sticks, trays; Driving vehicles
 
Body Position Demands
Standing; Walking; Sitting; Climbing stairs; Reaching forward and overhead; Balancing; Object handling; Simple hand/ Firm hand grasping; Operating controls; Sitting; Stooping; Crouching; Typing; Fine hand coordination and movements
 
Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 35 lbs
Max Weight Carried: 35 lbs
Max Force Pushed: 22 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 80 lbs
 
Sensory Requirements
Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision – Frequently near and far and going between; Depth perception; Perception identifying objects in space and by site; Color discrimination amongst liquids; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Hearing

Metro Water Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.