Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: December 30, 2024 

Required documents uploaded by: December 30, 2024 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment: 

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone (External)

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation: 

• Pay Range: 
• Chemist I - $27.56 per hour
• Chemist II - $28.37 per hour
• Chemist III - $29.18 per hour
• Chemist IV - $30.00 per hour
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information… 

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary: 

The position (K0242911)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking a talented chemist to join the Inorganic and Radiochemistry unit in Topeka. This unit tests a variety of analytes in water, soil and other matrices for environmental pollutants using EPA methods. This position will perform radiochemical testing including gross Alpha, gross Beta, Gamma radionuclides, Radium 226&228, and Tritium; using Gas proportional counting, Gamma spectroscopy and liquid scintillation.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following: 

Analyze public drinking water and non-potable water samples for determination of gross alpha, gross beta, radium-226&228, and tritium following Standard Operating Procedures. Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Generating Station: Analyze air filter cartridges, water, soil, vegetation, food, and other environmental samples for gamma-emitting radioisotopes and other radionuclides following SOPs. Operate and maintain analytical instruments for determination of environmental contaminants. Analyses are performed according to EPA methods and standardized laboratory accreditation program. Testing of compliance samples is required by federal and state regulations.

Analyze public drinking water, non-potable water, soil and other environmental samples for determination of nutrients, anions, metals, mercury, alkalinity, and other parameters following Standard Operating Procedures. Operate and maintain analytical instruments for determination of environmental contaminants. Analyses are performed according to EPA methods and standardized laboratory accreditation program. Testing of compliance samples is required by federal and state regulations.

Qualifications

• Education: 
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency. 
• Minimum Qualifications: 
• Chemist I
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• Chemist II
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 1+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• OR master’s degree in a natural science field. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND Must be cross-trained into an additional laboratory unit within 6 months of hire.
• Chemist III
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 4+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• OR PhD in a natural science field. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• OR master’s degree in a natural science field AND 2+ years of experience an environmental laboratory setting. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND must be cross-trained into an additional laboratory unit within 6 months of hire.
• AND must attend and obtain a certificate for EPA Certification Officer training within 18 months of hire.
• OR must attend and obtain a certificate for TNI Basic Assessor training within 18 months of hire.
• OR must serve on the chemical threat team for emergency preparedness.
• Chemist IV
• Bachelor's degree in a natural science field with a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND 10+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting.
• OR 5+ years of experience in an environmental laboratory setting AND PhD in a natural science field. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• OR 7+ years of experience an environmental laboratory setting AND a master’s degree in a natural science field. Must have at least a minimum of 25 hours in chemistry. Experience in the natural science field may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.
• AND Must be cross-trained into a total of 3 laboratory units within 1 year of hire.
• OR sit on a TNI committee.
• OR sit on an APHL committee.
• AND Must attend and obtain a certificate for EPA Certification Officer training within 18 months of hire.
• AND Must attend and obtain a certificate for TNI Basic Assessor training within 18 months of hire.
• Preferred Qualifications: 
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
• Experience with radionuclide analysis.
• Experience in instrumentation analysis of environmental samples (water, soil).
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Ariana Paige 

Email: Ariana.Paige@ks.gov 

Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612 

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
• Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
• Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
• Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page 

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents” 

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference 

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.

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