PAY RANGE: N26
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENTIST
(Air Management)
(Water)
(Clinical)
This is administrative scientific work planning, directing, and coordinating, through subordinate supervisors, in the Air Management Services Laboratory, the Public Health Laboratory, or in the Planning and Environmental Services or Operations Division of the Water Department. An employee in this class develops, evaluates and determines the methodologies, equipment, and personnel required to achieve compliance with local, state, and federal rules and regulations for environmental pollution measurements, for chemicals and biologicals in drinking water, stormwater, surface water, wastewater, and industrial wastes, or for the analysis of clinical laboratory specimens. Contact with government scientists and officials, industrial plant representatives and the public are of major significance to the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative engineering superior or laboratory director.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to
be allocated to this class.)
1. Positions must perform administrative scientific work planning, directing, and coordinating, through subordinate supervisors, the analytical chemistry functions of the Air Management Services Laboratory, the analytical biology and chemistry functions of the Public Health Laboratory or the analytical chemistry, biology, or multiple environmental science functions of the Planning and Environmental Services Division or multi-disciplinary Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program of the Operations Division of the Water Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the work of scientific professionals and other technical and laboratory personnel; plans, assigns and reviews the work of scientific, technical and laboratory personnel engaged in sampling and analyzing environmental pollutants and clinical specimens or analyzing data and conducting studies to solve environmental problems; reviews and evaluates analytical programs, activities and equipment for efficiency and productivity, and recommends and initiates improvements; reviews analytical equipment and procedures in order to meet regulatory standards for environmental pollution control, monitoring and analysis, and clinical laboratory procedures; determines quality assurance parameters; coordinates testing with other laboratory units within the department and in other departments; manages special sampling and analysis projects required for regulatory development; approves and assigns special projects.
Formulates and prepares the unit’s operating budget; determines staffing levels and equipment needs; recommends which services can be performed more efficiently by contracted private laboratories; develops cost evaluations for in-house and contract services; evaluates work performed by contractors.
Provides technical assistance to administrative and other agency personnel in the areas of biological or chemical testing; represents the department in administrative and legal proceedings involving scientific measurement and analysis.
Establishes and maintains computerized and manual documentation for all scientific methods and procedures; ensures analytical work complies with internal and external performance criteria, including quality assurance and turn-around time schedules.
Develops and manages productivity initiatives designed to improve performance indicators, including turn-around time, analytical capacity, performance/cost ratio, analytical quality assurance;
Provides technical guidance during complex testing; designs and directs the design of specialized apparatus to meet specific testing requirements; designs and reviews the design of equipment specifications; evaluates and reviews new equipment and makes recommendations regarding purchase of equipment and contracted services.
Makes presentations before civic, industrial and community groups on biological or chemical testing issues.
Participates in policy development, including development of performance criteria and goals, safety and hygiene policy and communications policy.
Performs related work as required.
Initiates air management research and development studies to improve existing methods and develops new methods for sampling, monitoring, and analyzing pollutants; designs and directs the design and fabrication of specialized apparatus to meet specific testing requirements; evaluates new equipment tests and makes recommendations regarding purchase of equipment and services.
Coordinates chemical testing within Air Management Services; maintains an inventory control system for analytical instruments, chemicals, parts, and supplies; prepares section budget and prepares and reviews section grant proposals.
Provides technical assistance to the administration and other agencies in the areas of air pollutants and particulates; represents the department in administrative and legal proceedings involving environmental pollutants measurements and analysis; makes presentations before civic, industrial and community groups on environmental testing issues.
Directs a major phase of the analytical scientific function or multi-disciplinary programs of the Planning and Environmental Services Division or multi-disciplinary Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program of the Operations Division of the Water Department; plans, assigns and reviews, through subordinate supervisors, the work of scientific and technical personnel engaged in sampling, monitoring, testing and evaluating the chemical quality of drinking water in the water distribution system, water from rivers, stormwater, raw and processed wastewater, and industrial wastes, and researching new and improved water and wastewater treatment processes; plans for staffing needs and development; participates in strategic planning for either division.
Develops and directs watershed-wide assessment projects, through subordinate supervisors, to identify biological, chemical and physical stressors for restoration remediation or GSI maintenance; directs, through subordinate supervisors, scientific studies to maximize GSI assets through inspection, maintenance and repair in the Operations Division, assists with partnership initiatives to create innovative solutions; disseminates information to state officials and local partnerships; applies for permits and grants.
Represents the department before regulatory agencies; provides technical assistance to administrative and other agency personnel in the areas of surface and storm water, wastewater, and industrial waste; represents the department in administrative and legal proceedings involving organic chemistry measurement and analysis; makes presentations before civic, industrial and community groups on environmental testing issues.
Consults with departmental and City managers to develop research proposals and monitoring strategies, develops data quality objectives, interprets analytical information and develops educational workshops.
Performs related work as required.
CLINICAL LABORATORY SPECIALTY
Directs the technical areas– such as microbiology, special microbiology, clinical chemistry, immunology, clinical microscopy, Molecular Diagnostics plus the Administrative support areas – such as Central Receiving and the Front Office of the Public Health Laboratory; plans, assigns and reviews, through subordinate supervisors, the work of scientific and technical personnel engaged in sampling, monitoring, testing and evaluating clinical laboratory specimens; ensures high quality test results are reported; ensures turnaround times of testing, productivity of staff, instrument capacity and cost/benefit ratios are maintained;
Develops staff training and technical competency programs; compiles staff schedule to ensure goals are accomplished; provides mentoring for new section supervisors in all areas of management.
Coordinates with all customers (both inside and outside the Department of Health), such as: Disease Control, AACO, Ambulatory Health, Environmental Health, Prison Health System, Lead Office, Medical Examiner’s Office and Quest Diagnostics for investigation and resolution of issues and complaints; monitors contracts and purchase orders for expiration dates, contract pricing and invoice accuracy; coordinates with Procurement Department for issues and problems; coordinates with the Information technology staff, all necessary updates and changes to the Laboratory Information System.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
ALL SPECIALTIES
· modern analytical chemistry or analytical biology methodology and instrumentation if required by work assignment
· modern scientific and administrative methods and techniques required to direct and coordinate a major phase of a laboratory facility if required by work assignment
· supervisory methods and techniques
· hazards and safety practices in the laboratory and in field sampling
· commercial and industrial processes as they relate to the emission of airborne pollutants
· budget preparation
· the computer software utilized in scientific applications
· physical and analytical chemical theory, principles and practices as they relate to measurement of environmental pollutants, analytical chemistry methodology and instrumentation
· air sampling methods, techniques and equipment
· specialty gas mixtures, calibration gas mixture generators, calibration standards and quality assurance practices
· laws and regulations applicable to air pollution measurement and control
· commercial and industrial processes as they relate to the emission of airborne pollutants
· design and operation of air pollution control devices
· federal and state regulations, standards and guidelines applicable to the analysis and treatment of water, stormwater, and wastewater
· water pollution control and water treatment plant operations, processes, facilities and equipment
· principles and practices of environmental sciences applicable to water, stormwater, and wastewater
· principals of analytical quality assurance as pertains to the analysis of environmental samples or in situ analysis
· modern scientific and administrative methods and techniques required to direct and coordinate a major phase of a laboratory facility, multi-disciplinary planning and research unit, or multi-disciplinary GSI program
· emerging trends in environmental science and regulation biological, chemical and physical attributes of aquatic ecosystems
· physio-chemical relationships
· protocols, techniques, procedures and studies related to assessment, testing and monitoring of watersheds
· stormwater management, Green Stormwater Infrastructure systems, adaptive watershed management, non-point source pollution and management of natural resources if required by work assignment
· soil science and dynamics of water systems if required by work assignment
CLINICAL SPECIALTY
· federal and state regulations, standards and guidelines applicable to the analysis of clinical laboratory specimens
· clinical laboratory processes, facilities and equipment
· principals and practices of clinical laboratory testing methodologies
·
the use, operation and care of standard laboratory equipment and
materials in the Clinical Laboratory
· the methods of standardizing and adapting new procedures in analytical tests.
· research methods and techniques including the statistical treatment of scientific data.
· laboratory research principles and techniques.
· laboratory management including the selection of equipment, assignment of personnel and determination of work priorities.
ABILITY TO:
ALL SPECIALTIES
· coordinate administrative functions with scientific activities to provide maximum efficiency of operations
· resolve scientific and administrative problems
· train personnel in various aspects of analytical science, technology, and procedures
· coordinate intra and inter-departmental data processing activities in relation to scientific applications
· express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, governmental officials, plant representatives and the general public
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 10/18.)
EDUCATION:
AIR MANAGEMENT AND CLINICAL SPECIALTIES:
Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in chemistry, biology or biochemistry or other closely related field in the chemical, physical, or biological sciences.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Four years of analytical chemistry experience in an air management laboratory.
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of analytical chemistry experience supervising lower level chemists in an air management environment.
CLINICAL SPECIALTY
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Four years of laboratory experience in a clinical laboratory.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
Two years of clinical laboratory experience supervising lower level staff in a Public Health laboratory environment.
NOTE: CLINICAL SPECIALTY ONLY: Candidates who possess a master’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, Serology or Virology meet the education requirements.
WATER SPECIALTY
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in chemistry, biology or biochemistry or other qualifying field. *
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Four years of experience performing environmental science or analytical chemistry work in one of the following areas: Aquatic Sciences, Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management and Plant Sciences.
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of as an Environmental Scientist Supervisor or Analytical Chemist Supervisor directing a staff of lower level scientists, biologists, chemists, engineers, planners and/or technical personnel engaged in analyzing data and solving environmental problems in the areas of assignment identified above.
NOTE: WATER SPECIALTY ONLY: Completion of a master’s degree program at an accredited college or university in a qualifying scientific field can be substituted for two years of the general experience.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum and the specific experience as indicated.
City of Philadelphia classes that typically meet the specific experience requirements FOR THE WATER SPECIALTY ONLY:
Environmental Scientist Supervisor (3H14)
Analytical Chemist Supervisor (Bureau of Laboratory Services assignment only) (3H27)
WATER SPECIALTY ONLY
* Qualifying scientific fields for Water Specialty include:
· Aquatic Sciences: Aquatic Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology, Limnology, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Oceanography, Wetland Sciences, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
· Biological Sciences: Bacteriology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology
· Chemical Sciences: Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Sciences, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Materials Engineering
· Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Geosciences, Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrology
· Environmental Policy and Environmental Resource Management: Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable/Renewable Energy Management, Watershed Management, Wildlife Science, Forest Science
· Plant Sciences: Botany, Forestry, Plant Biology, Plant Taxonomy, Soil Sciences
WATER SPECIALTY ONLY
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified experience, education, and/or training to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified qualification.
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator’s license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as an Administrative Scientist if required by work assignment.
American Society of Clinical Pathology certification as a medical technologist (MT) required at appointment and during tenure of employment for Clinical Specialty.
Spec. Revision:
7/10
CSC: 4/14
Ad. Board: 5/14
Spec Revision:
CSC – 9/18; Ad. Board – 10/18
Latest Spec Revision:
CSC – 5/19; Ad. Board – 6/19
JH