Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hydro Chemist

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a dedicated scientist with a passion for safeguarding our planet's water? This role requires an experienced and meticulous Hydro Chemist to join our dynamic environmental team. In this pivotal role, you will be the frontline expert on water quality, performing sophisticated chemical analyses and interpreting complex data to ensure regulatory compliance and guide environmental strategy. You will utilize state-of-the-art laboratory instrumentation to analyze surface water, groundwater, and industrial wastewater, translating your findings into actionable reports that have a real-world impact. If you are a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a collaborative lab environment and is driven to make a difference, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Environmental Lab Technician
Junior Chemist / Associate Chemist
Water Quality Specialist

Advancement To:

Senior Hydro Chemist / Lead Chemist
Laboratory Manager or Supervisor
Environmental Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Scientist
Regulatory Compliance Specialist
Geochemist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct a wide array of complex analytical tests on water samples, including groundwater, surface water, and wastewater, using established EPA, APHA, and ASTM methodologies.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced analytical instrumentation such as ICP-MS, GC-MS, Ion Chromatographs (IC), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Perform a variety of wet chemistry procedures, including titrations, pH, conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) with high precision.
Meticulously prepare and manage chemical standards, reagents, and quality control samples to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all analytical results.
Analyze and interpret large datasets of chemical and physical water quality parameters to identify trends, anomalies, and potential sources of contamination.
Author comprehensive, high-quality technical reports and data summaries for internal stakeholders, clients, and regulatory agencies.
Uphold and enforce stringent laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols, including participation in proficiency testing and maintenance of control charts.
Plan and execute field sampling campaigns, ensuring proper sample collection, preservation, and chain-of-custody procedures are followed meticulously.
Develop and validate new analytical methods to meet evolving project requirements and to improve laboratory efficiency and detection limits.
Manage laboratory chemical inventory, ensuring safe storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials in compliance with EHS standards.
Calibrate and perform routine preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment to minimize downtime and ensure optimal performance.
Provide expert technical support and guidance on hydrogeochemical processes to project managers, geologists, and environmental engineers.
Review and critically evaluate analytical data generated by third-party laboratories to ensure it meets project-specific quality objectives.
Investigate and resolve analytical discrepancies or non-conformances through systematic root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
Train and mentor junior laboratory staff on analytical techniques, safety procedures, and quality assurance best practices.
Stay current with advancements in analytical chemistry, water treatment technologies, and evolving environmental regulations.
Prepare detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for analytical methods and laboratory operations to ensure consistency and compliance.
Interface with regulatory agency personnel during audits and inspections, providing necessary documentation and explanations of laboratory procedures.
Assess the chemical compatibility and potential interactions of various contaminants in complex water matrices to support remediation strategies.
Participate in the evaluation and procurement of new laboratory instrumentation and technologies to enhance analytical capabilities.

Secondary Functions

Support project teams with ad-hoc data analysis and visualization requests to aid in environmental impact assessments.
Contribute to the development of proposals and project scopes by providing technical input on analytical requirements and costs.
Collaborate with the data management team to ensure seamless integration of laboratory data into the corporate LIMS and project databases.
Participate in project planning meetings and agile-style sprints to align laboratory activities with overall project timelines and objectives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Instrumental Analysis: Hands-on proficiency with analytical instruments such as ICP-MS/OES, GC-MS, HPLC, and Ion Chromatography.
Wet Chemistry: Expertise in classical chemistry techniques including titrimetry, gravimetric analysis, and spectrophotometry.
Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of environmental regulations and standard methods (e.g., EPA, SW-846, APHA Standard Methods).
QA/QC Protocols: Strong experience implementing and maintaining laboratory quality assurance/quality control programs and NELAC/TNI standards.
Data Interpretation: Proven ability to analyze complex hydrochemical data and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
LIMS: Experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for sample tracking, data entry, and reporting.
Method Development: Skill in developing, validating, and documenting new analytical methods.
Technical Writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate technical reports, SOPs, and scientific documentation.
Field Sampling: Competency in water sample collection techniques, preservation, and chain-of-custody documentation.
Chemical Safety: Knowledge of safe laboratory practices and hazardous material handling and disposal.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all aspects of laboratory work, from sample prep to data entry.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to troubleshoot instruments and investigate data anomalies.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with team members and presenting findings.
Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, meeting tight deadlines.
Collaboration: A team-oriented mindset with the ability to work effectively with scientists, engineers, and project managers.
Adaptability: Flexible and able to adapt to changing project priorities and new analytical challenges.
Integrity: A strong commitment to scientific ethics and data integrity.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

Master of Science (M.S.) or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Chemistry (Analytical, Environmental, or Geochemistry preferred)
Environmental Science
Geology or Hydrogeology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in an environmental, water quality, or geochemical laboratory setting.

Preferred:

Experience working in a commercial environmental laboratory subject to NELAC/TNI accreditation.
Prior experience with method development, validation, and advanced instrument troubleshooting.
Fieldwork experience involving groundwater, surface water, or soil sampling is highly desirable.