Chemist II ( Air Quality Analysis

Position: Chemist II ( Air Quality Analysis)
Location: Columbia

Salary: $63,337.00 - $ Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 185677/
Agency: SCDES-Regional & Lab Ops
Opening Date: 02/26/2026
Closing Date: 3/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: ED12
Position Number::
Normal

Work Schedule:

: Other
Pay Grade: GEN
10
Hiring Range - Min.: $63,337.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $
Opening Date: 02/26/2026
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must apply online. Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. A resume may be upload but will not be used to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
Careers at SCDES: Where Passion Meets Preservation

Do you love South Carolina and protecting the environment? Come join our team at SCDES, put your passion to work with us! We are dedicated to protecting the state of South Carolina and we would love to have you as a member of our team!
Science| Service| Sustainability

This Position serves as Lab Analyst for the Environmental Affairs (EA), Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services (BRLS)/ Division of Air Quality Analysis/Analytical Laboratory - Columbia.

Job Responsibilities

• Serves as Lab Analyst for the Environmental Affairs (EA), Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services (BRLS)/ Division of Air Quality Analysis/Analytical Laboratory - Columbia.
• Prepares and analyzes samples for the presence of inorganic compounds using ICP/MS, Ion Chromatography, and other methods as assigned. Serves as backup analyst as needed.
• Logs in samples and results for assigned analyses. Calculates, records, and interprets air quality analysis results for Division reports. Prepare collection media for shipment to field staff as requested.
• Performs quality assurance activities such data review, data validation, reviewing and writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and quality control tracking.
• Reviews Federal reference and equivalent methods relevant to laboratory procedures.
• Researches methodology and revises as necessary to meet the laboratory's analytical needs.
• Assists in response to emergencies involving spills, odors complaints, etc.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree in chemistry;
• OR a bachelor's degree in chemistry and one year of chemistry experience;
• OR a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences
  * with 16 semester hours in chemistry and two years laboratory experience
• A doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating, maintaining, and interpreting results from advanced analytical instrumentation such as gas or liquid chromatographs, and associated data systems.
• Experience with general instrumentation software and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to:
  • Perform scientific mathematical calculations, highly complex tasks, and maintain accurate records.
  • Communicate effectively with peers, other scientists, and service engineers.
  • Prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
  • Move and change 150-pound gas cylinders using a hand truck.
  • Adhere to all safety requirements including the wearing of required safety equipment such as eye protection, laboratory coats, and nitrile gloves to assure the safe handling of a myriad of commonly used laboratory chemicals daily.
  • Stand for long periods of time and move at least 30 lbs. to counter top level.
• The workplace exposure to chemicals of record will be kept below the published OSHA thresholds through the use of administrative and engineering controls, specialized PPE and through appropriate adjustments in job assignments.
• This position requires the strict adherence to approved methods and standard operating procedures for the proper collection of quality and technically defensible data.
• This is a laboratory position and as such involves safely working with various types of glassware, the physical shaking of samples, the performance of repetitive tasks, and meticulous attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• A chemistry degree and two (2) years of employment experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of GC, HPLC, GC/MS, and associated data systems used for the analysis of organic contaminants.
• A master's degree in chemistry;
  • OR a bachelor's degree in chemistry and one year of chemistry experience.
  • OR a bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences with 16 semester hours in chemistry and two (2) years of laboratory experience.

Additional Comments
SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. The Department…