Chemist II, Wet Lab

Chemist II, Wet Lab

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

17107

Department

Pollution Control Services Department

Opening Date

09/25/2026

Closing Date

10/31/2026 11:59 PM Central

Max Number of Applicants

150

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) Mission

The mission of Harris County Pollution Control Services Department (HCPCS) is to protect the citizens of Harris County from environmental impacts through firm, consistent enforcement of state and federal regulations. The ultimate goal of PCS is clean air, water, and proper management of waste. The activities PCS are directed toward ensuring clean air and water for the citizens of Harris County, consistent with the protection of public health, enjoyment of property and the protection of plant, animal, and marine life.

What you will do for Harris County Pollution Control

Under the supervision of the Supervisor - Wet Lab, the analyst will provide routine and custom analytical services on samples submitted by division investigators, other department personnel, and certain outside sources. The analyst will document all analytical work and provide timely reports on the results.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Trace Metals Analysis

• Perform assigned analysis on industrial, STP and non-routine water, soil and solid waste samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) techniques making of stock and working standards, troubleshooting, routine maintenance, etc.

Wet Chemistry Analyses

• Perform analyses on water, wastewater, soil and solid waste samples. Analyses may include BOD, CBOD, COD, Ammonia, Cl2, E. coli, Enterococcus, Nitrate + Nitrite, TSS, TDS, TOC, pH, etc.
• Perform sample preparation and digestions as appropriate.
• Calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot equipment used in assigned duties such as pH/specific ion probes and meters, DO meters, Discrete analyzers, spectrophotometers and analytical balances
• Perform quality assurance monitoring of support equipment such as incubators, refrigerators, ovens, and autoclave (temperature). Assist in laboratory cleaning, supplies, waste disposal, etc.

Administrative

• Enter analytical data using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Write, revise and review SOPs (ensure that SOPs are accurate and up-to-date)

Other duties

• Assist with training of analysts and with the development and incorporation of new test procedures
• Special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.
• Other tasks assigned by the Supervisor - Wet Lab or Laboratory Manager

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, or related field

Experience:

• Experience in the majority of the tests and sample matrices listed in the Job Description required

• At least one (1) year work experience performing both conventional (wet) chemical and instrumental analyses

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to use basic lab equipment such as pH meters, D.O. meters, analytical balances, discrete analyzers, spectrophotometers, etc.
• Ability to perform gravimetric, colorimetric and titrimetric operations
• Skilled in basic lab operations such as pipetting and titrating
• Must have ability to continually evaluate progress of analyses and seek advice or make adjustments as necessary
• Must be able to compile analytical reports
• Must maintain proficiency on assigned instruments
• Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Access

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:

• Experience in the use of laboratory microprocessors and data systems is (preferred)

• Knowledge of the Masshunter software (preferred)

• Experience in operation of discrete analyzers and spectrophotometers is (preferred)

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-time | Monday - Friday | Typically 8 am to 5 pm.
• After hours and/or weekend work on occasion
• On call during emergency events, natural disasters, etc.
• This position may require employees to be deployed to alternative county locations during emergency events.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Position requires work in both a laboratory and professional office environment with frequent time spent in both
• Laboratory work will include working with lab analysis equipment, chemicals and samples
• Mostly sedentary but will require frequent visits to the laboratory-some bending, stooping, kneeling and crouching may be required.
• Laboratory safety concerns require vision and hearing abilities sufficient to acknowledge and respond to sirens, alarms, smoke, visible evidence of a chemical release, etc.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Environmental Sciences
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

This position requires previous experience in performing both conventional (wet) chemical and instrumental analyses. Which of the following best describes your verifiable relevant work experience?

• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) year or more but less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years or more but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) or more years
• I do not have this experience

04

Please provide details about your experience in performing both conventional (wet) chemical and instrumental analyses. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

05

In which of the following concepts do you have strong knowledge and/or professional experience? (Select all that apply)

• Experience in the use of laboratory microprocessors and data systems
• Knowledge of the Masshunter software
• Experience in operation of discrete analyzers and spectrophotometers
• None of the above

06

If you made a selection in regard to the previous question, please describe your professional knowledge and/or experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications. (Type N/A if not applicable)

07

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx