State of Maryland

A Chemist Manager is the managerial level of work performing chemical, analytical, diagnostic and environmental laboratory testing to determine compliance with applicable consumer protection, public health and environmental standards and federal, State and local regulations. Employees in this classification supervise Chemist Supervisors.  

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level manager.  The work is performed in a laboratory setting.  Employees may be required to work overtime. Employees are required to observe safety protocols in order to minimize exposure to toxic substances and corrosive materials.   

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of a class specification.  

The Chemist Manager and the Chemist Supervisor are differentiated on the basis of supervisory responsibility.  The Chemist Manager has supervisory responsibility for Chemist Supervisors while the Chemist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Chemists.

Supervises the activities of Chemist Supervisors;

Develops laboratory policies and procedures and purchases new equipment to facilitate an efficient and effective laboratory operation;

Oversees and reviews the chemical and physical testing and analyses of various materials, products and substances, such as pesticides, fertilizers, animal feeds, alcoholic beverages, petroleum products, soil, water or air for the purposes of quality control, qualitative and quantitative analysis and compliance to applicable local, State and federal regulations and standards;

Ensures the appropriate methods of analyses and quality assurance protocols are used to obtain accurate and valid results;

Presents scientific data through interpretive reports, graphs and charts to document the methods and procedures used;

Oversees research and development of new analytical methods and modification of existing methods as needed;

Attends workshops, reads scientific and technical materials to keep abreast of new technologies and advances in the field;

Testifies in court and administrative hearings regarding samples analyzed to attest to the chain of custody being maintained, test results and conclusions reached;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of analytical chemistry;

Knowledge of testing methods, laboratory policies, procedures, methods, terminology, and instrumentation;

Knowledge of mathematics, including algebra, calculus and statistics;

Skill in understanding and following laboratory procedures and policies;

Skill in the application of quality control procedures in handling hazardous chemicals;

Skill in performing complex mathematical computations;

Ability to direct the operation of a chemical laboratory;

Ability to supervise the work of Chemist Supervisors;

Ability to manage quality control and quality assurance methods;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or other related science which includes completion of at least 24 credit hours in chemistry from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five years of experience performing laboratory chemical analysis work in a public health or chemistry laboratory at least two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Notes:       

1. Possession of a Master’s degree in chemistry or a related science from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one year of the non-supervisory experience.

2. Possession of a Doctorate degree in chemistry from an accredited college or university may be substituted for three years of the non-supervisory experience.       

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in chemistry classification or chemistry specialty codes in the chemistry field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.  

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.