Chemist (Open Competitive)

Salary: $55,734.00 - $63,976.00 Annually Location : Buffalo, NY Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: Department: PUBLIC WORKS Opening Date: 10/28/2024 Closing Date: 11/16/2024 11:59 PM Eastern Fee: $15.00 RESIDENCE: Residence is a requirement for all positions. In the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, an applicant shall be deemed a non-resident if he/she cannot show ninety (90) days of continuous and uninterrupted residence in the City of Buffalo prior to filing application. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BUFFALO MANDATE CONTINUOUS RESIDENCY IN THE CITY DURING YOUR EMPLOYMENT, EXCEPT FOR POSITIONS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPT UNDER STATE LAW. FEE: WHERE INDICATED, A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR APPLICATION VIA CHECK, CASH OR MONEY ORDER (If using check for payment, your check must clear to complete processing.) Check with Civil Service office for fee waiver info. Distinguishing Features of the Class Chemist #(Open Competitive) Final Filing Date: 11/16/2024 Exam Date: 12/07/2024 An incumbent to a position in this class performs technical work involving chemical and bacteriological analysis of water samples. He/she must have a thorough knowledge of chemistry, bacteriological and standard laboratory practices and routines. Work involves considerable leeway in the exercising of independent judgment in the analyzing of specimens. Immediate supervision is received from the Water Treatment Supervisor. Supervision may be exercised over the work of personnel assigned. Examples of work (Illustration Only) Performs chemical and bacteriological analysis of raw water to determine bacteria and coliform count, turbidity and other chemical factors; Analyzes water in purification plant to control chemical processes; Determines amounts of liquid chlorine to be used in chlorinators; Collects and tests samples of water extracted from various points in the distribution system, mains, tanks, pumps and outlets to discover possible sources of water contamination; Determines kinds and amounts of chemicals to be used in removing minerals, acids, salts and other inorganic compounds; Prepares culture media; -cleans and sterilizes glassware; Assists in the preparation and calculation of analytical data for periodic reports; Prepares and distributes materials to consumers regarding the yearly testing of water for lead and copper as mandated by the EPA and NYS Department of Health; May assist in preparing chemical research studies; Performs related work as required. Minimum Qualifications (A) Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Bacteriology or a closely related field and one year of full time experience in analytical laboratory work in the field of chemistry and/or bacteriology; OR (B) Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Chemical Technology or a closely related field and three years of full time experience in analytical laboratory work in the field of chemistry and/or bacteriology. OR (C) Graduation from High School, GED or Equivalency Diploma supplemented by 8 to l2 credit hours in Chemistry and/or Bacteriology including laboratory work, from an accredited college or university and five years of full time experience in analytical laboratory work in the field of chemistry and/or bacteriology. OR (D) An equivalent combination as defined within the limits of A through C. NOTE: Verifiable part -time experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements. (Proof of education must be presented at time of appointment.) NOTE: Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements. Proof of education must be presented at time of appointment. SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION - Written Test..........Relative Weight 100% EXAMINATION WILL TEST FOR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES IN SUCH AREAS AS: 1.) Analytical chemistry, including techniques, equipment, and procedures for inorganic and organic analyses 2.) Principles and applications of physics and chemistry related to the testing of both treated and untreated water 3.) General laboratory practices, techniques, and equipment 4.) Organization and interpretation of data, including elementary statistical analysis and quality control 5.) Principles and applications of microbiology related to the testing of both treated and untreated water THE USE OF A CALCULATOR IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EXAMINATION NOTE: The use a hand-held, battery- or solar- powered calculator is RECOMMENDED for this exam. Devices with typewriter keyboards, spell checkers, personal digital assistants, address books, language translators, dictionaries, cell phones or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference material. Cell phones and any other electronic devices are also prohibited. Additional Information EXPANDED SUBTEST DESCRIPTION : 1.) Analytical chemistry, including techniques, equipment, and procedures for inorganic and organic analyses These questions test for knowledge of general principles of chemical analysis, including the various techniques used in the chemical analysis of both organic and inorganic materials, the operating principles and characteristics of the analytical equipment used, and laboratory safety. 2.) Principles and applications of physics and chemistry related to the testing of both treated and untreated water These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of physics and chemistry as they relate to the characteristics of water, including such areas as water testing, sample preparation, and the methods, materials, and equipment used for measuring a variety of physical and chemical parameters; and water treatment processes as they relate to water chemistry and testing. 3.) General laboratory practices, techniques, and equipment These questions test for knowledge of basic laboratory practices, techniques, and equipment, including such areas as proper and safe techniques in sample preparation and analysis; use and characteristics of laboratory supplies, equipment, and instrumentation; principles and practices of laboratory safety; preparation of solutions of various concentrations; and terminology and underlying scientific principles associated with laboratory work. 4.) Organization and interpretation of data, including elementary statistical analysis and quality control These questions test for knowledge of the various techniques used in data collection and analysis. Questions may include such areas as proper methods of collecting and organizing data, elementary statistical operations performed on data, and interpreting tabulated results properly. 5.) Principles and applications of microbiology related to the testing of both treated and untreated water These questions test for knowledge of microbiology as it relates to water testing, including such areas as sample preservation and preparation for microbiological analysis; methods, materials, and equipment used in the culture and identification of microorganisms, including microscopy; characteristics and effects of microorganisms; and general principles of microbiology and water treatment. Test Guide: The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication 'General guide to Written Test' helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available online at: This written exam is being prepared and rated by the N.Y.S. Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23-2 of the Civil Service Law, and the provisions of the N.Y.S. Civil service Rules and Regulations dealing with the rating and review of exams apply. (If not attached, expanded subtest descriptions may be obtained from the Civil Service office, Room 1001 City Hall.) (The eligible list resulting from this exam may be used to fill comparable positions.) MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS SCHEDULED FOR THE SAME DAY: If you have applied to take a written test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same date as this written test, you must notify each of the local jurisdictions no later than two weeks before the test date, so they can make arrangements for taking all tests at one site. All examinations for positions in State government will be held at a State examination center. LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXAMS notify each civil service agency to make arrangements no later than two weeks before test date. You must notify each agency with whom you have filed. For this information, notify the Department of Human Resources, Division of Civil Service, Room 1001 City Hall, Buffalo, New York 14202 or call or come to the office. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE DAY OF THE EXAMINATION - In the event of severe weather conditions on the day of the examination, please listen to the following tv/radio stations for postponement or delay in the starting time of the administration of the examination: WBEN 550, WGR 930, WWW145.., WWKB 1520 -AM RADIO; WKSE 98.5, WLKK 102.5, WTSS 107.7 FM RADIO OR WIBT-TV (CH. 4). If no such announcement is made, you must presume that the examination will be administered as scheduled. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR USE OF VETERAN'S CREDITS If you are currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, you may apply for veteran's credits. These veteran's credits shall be granted on a conditional basis at time of establishment of the eligible list. You will be restricted from certification using these credits until you have received an honorable discharge or release under honorable conditions. Your DD214 must be presented as proof of service during war time, before you can be certified for appointment from the eligible list using these credits. Special Requirement for Appointment in School Districts and BOCES Per Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, to be employed in a position designated by a school district or BOCES as involving direct contact with students, a clearance for employment from the State Education Department is required. NOTICE TO EXAM PARTICIPANTS: Additional Points Available to Children of Police Officers and Firefighters Killed in the Line of Duty (New Section 85-a, NYS Civil Service Law, effective 9/17/02) On September 17, 2002, Governor Pataki signed into law a bill adding a new section 85-a to the Civil Service Law granting additional credit on civil service examinations for children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty. This law is to take effect immediately. "In conformance with Section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established." Applicants claiming these points must do so in writing (you may enclose in application), indicating the name, title, relationship and place of employment of the deceased parent. Eligibility for points will be reviewed and applicants may be required to submit additional information to verify the claim. Additional points available to siblings of Firefighters and Police Officers killed in the line of duty as the result of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center Attack (Chapter 500, Laws of New York 2003). For more information, check with the Department of Human Resources, Civil Service office. The City of Buffalo's benefit package is designed to give our employees and their love one's, comfort, safety, and stability they need in serving our community each and every day. Our offerings include: -Medical and vision, Dental, Life Insurance (basic) and (supplemental) -New York State Retirement System -Deferred Compensation Plan -Employee Assistance Program for employee/family members -Flexible Spending Accounts -Liberal holidays & vacation -Growth Opportunities and Steady earnings potential

Created: 2024-11-01