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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Austin Energy Utility Chemist III


FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 11378 Salary Grade: IA4
Approved: July 28, 1998 Last Revised: August 09, 2018


Purpose:
 
Works with limited supervision using independent judgment and comprehensive knowledge to perform chemical, physical and technical analyses. Provides technical expertise and support in environmental chemistry, tribology and power plant chemistry and operations.  
 
 
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 protocols for the startup of steam generation units insuring water production and boiler chemistry are within acceptable criteria.
  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 to improve the quality of the results.
  9. Develops and implements new operating standards based on new or revised analytical methods.
Advances the application of chemical knowledge to improve system processes, procedures and the financial strength of the utility.
  1. Develops, reviews, prepares and presents reports on complex technical analysis.
  2. Complies with applicable regulatory standards, policies, codes and regulations, and industry and organizational safety guidelines. 
  3. Provides formal testimony for managers or executive staff. 
  4. Provides research and develop specification for technical instrumentation. 
  5. Conducts bio monitoring sampling as needed for permit compliance. 
  6. Coordinates with engineers to manage chemistry or plant outage projects. 
 
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • Provides leadership on work assignments, evaluation, training and guidance to others. 
 
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 mathematical skills appropriate for chemical analysis. 
  • Knowledge of chemical and environmental chemistry principles and methods.
  • Knowledge of power plant lock out/tag out (LOTO) procedures. 
  • Knowledge of technical advances in analytical equipment and procedures.
  • Skill in oral and written communication. 
  • Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations. 
  • Skill in collecting, analyzing and interpreting applicable research data. 
  • Skill in working with hazardous chemicals.
  • Skill in 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 four (4) years of related experience. 
 
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.