Class Concept
This is first level supervisory, administrative and advanced professional work in directing a small to medium sized chemistry laboratory or section primarily engaged in standardized and relatively less complex testing operations for a variety of substances. Employees supervise, plan, direct, review and evaluate the work of subordinates; and develop and make minor adjustments and modifications to methods, procedures, schedules, assignments and project priorities. Employees are primarily supervisors but would normally spend a considerable portion of their time in performing or checking the more complex, controversial or advanced work of their laboratory; and would function as a technical expert in their specialty area including testifying in court or at hearings as a technical expert. Employees apply an advanced professional knowledge of chemistry principles, concepts, theories, methods, procedures and techniques to develop, conduct and oversee qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses on a variety of substances. Work may include determining the kind and extent of analysis required to solve a problem; evaluating new equipment and procedures; and selecting, arranging and modifying equipment, instrumentation and methods to plan and implement standardized testing operations. Generally, this level would not supervise chemists who are specialists, masters or the recognized expert in a specific field of chemistry, and who perform the most advanced and complex work in that field. Employees evaluate, interpret, select and apply guides and references from a wide variety of generally established methodology, procedure, and instrument manuals and usually have the authority to make moderate deviations, modifications and extensions to established procedures as necessary. Work may include other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
