Job Details

Working Title: Environmental Analyst 3
Job Class: Environmental Analyst 3
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Who May Apply : This vacancy is open to bidders and to all qualified job seekers. Bidders will be considered through 04/13/2023.
• Date Posted : 04/07/2023
• Closing Date : 04/20/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Division/Unit : Laboratory Services Division / Water Analysis Unit
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $25.25 - $37.02 / hourly; $52,722 - $77,297 / annually
• Classified Status : Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
• Telework Eligible : No
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you\xe2\x80\x99ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

This position will maintain the Water Analysis Unit (WAU) by performing analysis of routine, non-routine, and rush water samples. Responsibilities include procuring standards, maintaining standard inventory, performing standard validations, investigations, and validating new emerging analytes, planning extractions and analysis methods under the laboratory\'s ISO17025 scope of accreditation. This works supports the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) water monitoring program and clean water legacy projects by increasing the analytical capability and capacity. Work may also be performed as part of MDA\'s Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division incident response, misuse, special requests, and emergency situations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelors degree in Chemistry or a closely related field. A minimum of 16 semester credits or 24 quarter credits of college level chemistry. All applicants who are selected to interview will be required to bring a copy of their college transcript(s) to the interview. Two (2) years of experience in an environmental laboratory or closely related laboratory. NOTE: A Master\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Chemistry or closely related field may substitute six (6) months of professional experience. Additional required experience:

• Technical skills in preparation of reagents and standards.
• Advanced knowledge of the principals, practices, and techniques of analytical chemistry sufficient to carry out complex analysis and electronic data processing.
• Thorough knowledge of the chromatographic technique in operating and maintaining the GC and / or LCMS system.
• Good technical writing and verbal communication skills sufficient to prepare analytical reports and document new methods or procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships inside and outside of the organization.
• Ability to conduct literature searches and interpret / adapt published analytical methods.
• The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of quality assurance principles, sample handling and legal chain-of-custody. Experience and knowledge of working in ISO17025 accredited laboratory environment. Previous experience analyzing vegetation, soil, food, and water matrices for pesticide residues using GC and / or LCMS system. Experience or knowledge of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Experience in quality control procedures to ensure accuracy of tests.

Physical Requirements

This position exists in an analytical laboratory. As such, all potential safety hazards associated with this type of environment are assumed to be present. Hazards such as chemical exposure, hot surfaces, compressed gases and mechanical hazards exist in this section. This position must be comfortable working around these hazards and have sufficient knowledge to recognize and prevent harm to themselves or others. This position must be able to function in this environment and must be comfortable wearing personal protective gear.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select \xe2\x80\x9cApply for Job\xe2\x80\x9d at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers. If you have questions about the position, contact Becky Hierlinger at Kathryn.Reynolds@state.mn.us. To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Becky Hierlinger at becky.hierlinger@state.mn.us.

About Minnesota Department of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has served our state for more than 125 years. The work we do touches every Minnesota citizen every day. Our mission is to enhance all Minnesotans\xe2\x80\x99 quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy. Our three general areas of responsibility include:

• Protecting our food supply;
• Protecting our natural resources; and,
• Cultivating our agricultural economy.

Why Work for Us

Come work for one of the best Water Monitoring Programs in the Nation. This is an excellent opportunity to experience working in a state-of-the-art lab environment. The ISO17025 accredited methods that you will work with utilize advanced chemical techniques and the latest analytical instruments to gather data used to monitor and protect the soil, water and foods found in the state. Employees will be challenged to maintain the high standards and integrity that the Lab Services Division requires to fulfill its mission to the State of Minnesota.

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota. A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency\xe2\x80\x99s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.