CHEMIST I

Opening Date:

April 14, 2025

Closing Date:

April 28, 2025

Location:

Augusta

Position #:

08310-1081

Position Type:

Full Time 

Class Code:

6401

Grade/Salary:

Grade 21 - $23.69 - $33.15 Per Hour*
*(This includes the 10.00% Salary Adjustment)

*This is earning potential over the course of nine steps, new hires start at step one. Annual step increases are based on performance reviews and authorization of such increases.

The Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Air Quality Assessment, is seeking to fill a Chemist I vacancy in Augusta.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This Chemist I position is in the Maine DEP’s Air Toxics Laboratory. The Lab and QA Section’s role within the Division of Air Quality Assessment is to support the Air Monitoring Section by providing various laboratory analyses as well providing quality assurance oversight of the monitoring network. The primary responsibilities for this position include:

• Independent set-up, operation, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and related field equipment.
• Processing, evaluation, review, and validation of laboratory generated sample and quality control data. Management of data in the laboratory information management system.
• Development of standard operating procedures and quality assurance project plans.
• Development of new and refined test procedures to improve laboratory operations and analysis results.
• Preparing quality control standards and reagents to ensure adequate availability.
• Maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of sampling canisters for shipment to monitoring locations, including maintaining shipping and receiving records and chain of custody.
• Assisting with field auditing as a back-up auditor.

There will be some remote work opportunities with this position with management approval and following the DEP’s Telework Policy.

For more information on the specifics of the position, please contact the Hiring Manager, Andrea Galasyn at: Andrea.Galasyn@maine.gov  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A four (4) year combination of education, training, and/or experience in chemistry or directly related field.

Preference will be given to applicants with the following skills or experience: 

• Various laboratory analytical methods typically used in state and federal air quality monitoring programs, such as EPA's TO-15 for volatile organic compounds, which employs gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
• Quality assurance/quality control principles and practices, familiarity with current federal EPA QA/QC policies and requirements, and experience in creating and/or maintaining Quality Assurance Project Plans.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter and a current Resume. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter and a detailed Resume, before the closing date, to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.

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No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.