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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Austin Energy Utility Chemist II
FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 11376 Salary Grade: IA2
Approved: July 20, 1998 Last Revised: August 09, 2018

Purpose:
 
Works under moderate supervision using working knowledge to perform chemical, physical and technical analyses, and provides technical expertise and support in power plant chemistry and operations OR environmental chemistry and tribology.
 
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
  1. Performs specialized chemical analyses on samples to support environmental compliance for electric generating facilities, electric service delivery, and remediation projects.
  2. Evaluates samples to determine appropriate analysis and/or methodology. 
  3. Maintains, troubleshoots and calibrates equipment and/or sterilizes equipment.
  4. Collects and analyzes samples from power plant machinery in accordance with established preventative maintenance programs.  
  5. Operates, maintains and troubleshoots water treatment systems for the production of ultra-pure water, and closed loop cooling water systems and cooling towers. 
  6. Supports the startups of steam generation units insuring water production and boiler chemistry are within acceptable criteria to bring a power plant unit on line and achieve full pressure release. 
  7. Supports engineering and power plant facilities monitors, treats, prevents and removes biological and chemical fouling of water treatment systems condensers and cooling towers. 
  8. Develops and applies enhanced Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures as appropriate to improve the quality of the results.
  9. Performs laboratory tasks in accordance with laboratory standards documented in Quality Manual. 
  10. Verifies, interprets and/or approves data and develops reports.
  11. Complies with applicable regulatory standards, policies, codes, regulations and industry and organizational safety guidelines. 
  12. Develops, implements, and maintains standard operating procedures.
  13. Coordinates and/or assists in coordinating projects. 
 
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
  • Knowledge of local, state and federal law and city ordinances.
  • Knowledge of the electric utility business. 
  • Knowledge of water quality analysis and operational / industry safety guidelines.
  • Knowledge of chemical principles and methods.
  • Knowledge of power plant lock out/tag out (LOTO) procedures. 
  • Knowledge of safely working with hazardous chemicals.
  • Skill in oral and written communications. 
  • Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations. 
  • Skill in collecting, analyzing and interpreting applicable research data. 
  • Skill using appropriate mathematics for chemical analysis. 
  • Ability to use appropriate database system to track lab information. 
  • Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities. 
  • Ability to troubleshoot, maintain and repair various analytical instrumentation.
  • Ability to work in an industrial facility.
  • Ability to climb, crawl, crouch or assume other non-sitting positions to take samples, check equipment and chemical tank levels, and replace and repair equipment.
 
 
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental or Natural Science or related field, plus two (2) years of related experience. 
  • One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of two (2) years. 
 
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 
  • Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.