Chemist I at Essential Utilities

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.  If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

Our Chemist I performs analysis of water and waste water in an accredited laboratory. In this role you will conduct qualitative and quantitative experiments on chemical substances to ensure quality control. Ready to take your career to the next level? Let's Talk!

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Perform routine analysis of water and wastewater samples in all sections of the laboratory. Analyze compliance and operational samples using various analytical techniques. Perform extraction and other sample preparation techniques.  Perform instrumental analysis of samples and extracts.  Enter data into the LIMS.
• Must be able to work safely and productively in an analytical laboratory. Prepare chemical solutions and bottles used in analyses.  Prepare sample kits for shipment to various lab clients and track shipments to ensure that clients have adequate sampling supplies.  Maintain required log-books and records for laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Perform and document required quality control tests consistent with laboratory standard operating procedures, good laboratory practices and lab accreditation requirements.  
• Prepares reports on all analytical work. Prepare data packages for compliance samples, as requested.  This involves gathering information to document analytical work, chain of custody, and quality control for a given batch of compliance samples.  Must be detail-oriented and able to work with minimum direct supervision.
• Operates sophisticated instrumentation for chemical analysis.  Must become proficient in electronic spreadsheets and software related to laboratory analyses.
• Successfully demonstrate capability in specific analytical methods and analyze periodic Proficiency Test samples required to maintain accreditation.
• Assists in performing research to improve existing methods and to develop new and better methods, as requested.
• Performs all other tasks or special functions as directed by supervisor.
• Work a rotating schedule of Monday-Friday and Wednesday – Sunday in the laboratory, including a rotating schedule for holidays.  This is to provide coverage for selected microbiological and chemical analyses. 

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL OR REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS:

Degree in Chemistry, or equivalent required, with two years of experience in laboratory methods preferred.  Experience in water and wastewater analysis preferred.

REPORTING LEVEL

Chief of Chemistry

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.