Chemist

Position Title

Chemist (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)

REQUISITION #:

req8302

Department

Ut Water Quality Services Div

LOCATION:

WATER QUALITY LAB / FACs

Benefit Category

Classified (Non-CBU)

View Classifications & Benefits

Employment Type

Full-Time Regular

Flsa Status

Exempt

Annual Salary Range

$67,536.00 - 112,560.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

Annual Anticipated Hiring Range

$76,000.00 - 94,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)

Selection Process

Application deadline is

3:00 p.m. MT on 2/4/2026

You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-offer Background Check And Motor Vehicle Report Required

• (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
  
  

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?

• Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
• Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
• Retirement company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
• Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Wellness program, workout facilities
• Employee/family onsite health clinic
• Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
• Collaborative work environment
  
  

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The Water Quality Lab Chemist performs advanced chemical and microbiological analyses to support drinking water, sourcewater, and environmental quality monitoring. They apply and optimize approved analytical methods using specialized laboratory instrumentation and techniques, ensuring accurate, compliant, and defensible results. Responsibilities include driving a City vehicle, collection of samples, preparing reagents and standards, performing organic and inorganic testing, and applying required quality assurance and quality control procedures.

They will calibrate, standardize, and troubleshoot laboratory and field methods, equipment, and instrumentation (e.g., GC/MS, ICP-MS, ion chromatography) in addition to utilizing analytical tools and laboratory software to process data, perform statistical analysis, and generate technical reports. They will enter, verify, and document results in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), support method development, and documentation, and provide technical guidance and training to other laboratory staff. This role may also include on-call support, public-facing technical assistance, and limited supervisory coverage as needed.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Develops, troubleshoots, standardizes, and calibrates new and existing lab and field equipment, instrumentation and analytical methods.
• Develops formulas, processes, techniques and analytical methods for solution of technical problems.
• Collects samples, including at remote locations requiring driving, walking on hard floors and uneven terrain, and navigating multiple flights of stairs.
• Prepares chemical reagents and analytical standards.
• Performs organic/ inorganic chemical and microbiological evaluation of samples.
• Uses a variety of highly technical and advanced instrumentation as well as laboratory software to process data and calculate results; evaluates and applies required quality control parameters and procedures.
• Verifies and enters data into Laboratory Information Management System.
• Prepares technical papers, analytical summaries, statistics and reports.
• Prepares and updates standards and specifications for processes, facilities, products, and tests.
• Provides training to other laboratory chemists and laboratory assistants in lab techniques, processes and analytical procedures.
• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints and provides information to the public.
• Troubleshoots, maintains and repairs highly specialized and advanced laboratory instruments and equipment.
• May be required to cover on-call duties after hours, and on weekends and holidays.
• May assume supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the supervisor.
  
  

Management Responsibilities

No

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
  
  

Required Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Skilled in the use of general and advanced laboratory instrumentation, including but not limited to: GC/MS, ICP-MS, automated flow injection ion analyzer, ion chromatographs, and other laboratory equipment.
• Skilled in the use of computers and programs.
• Skilled in laboratory instrument maintenance, repair and troubleshooting.
• Ability to perform statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control measures.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and lab sterilization procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff, departments and other agencies.
  
  

Required Qualifications

Minimum Preferred

College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Chemistry, microbiology, biological sciences, natural science

Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, biological sciences, natural science, or related field; plus a minimum of one year related experience; or equivalent combination education and experience.
  
  

At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Valid driver's license
  
  

The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.

Chemist

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.