11/23/2021 Update: Announcement deadline has been extended to 12/06/2021 to expand applicant pool.  

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment.  We value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.org/.

Under general direction, supervises the activities of chemists and technicians in the chemical and physical analysis of water, wastewater, and a variety of environmental matrices; provides administrative and technical support for chemists and laboratory technicians in an assigned section; validates the analytical data reported to water quality clients and management; consults and coordinates with water quality clients and personnel to conduct special studies, requests for analysis, and projects related to compliance monitoring and treatment process control; coordinates, develops and implements plans and quality assurance activities in the laboratory.

Essential functions:

• Assigns and evaluates the work of chemists and technicians in the delivery of water quality analytical services for an assigned section; prepares performance appraisals and develops work plans for assigned staff; takes corrective action to resolve deficiencies.
• Provides training and orientation on laboratory procedures, bureau policy and laboratory safety; arranges for the technical training and professional development of the group.
• Develops a work plan for an assigned section; schedules and establishes timelines for goals and objectives in the work plan; and evaluates group’s performance measures and adherence to work plan schedules and/or applicable City policies.
• Directs, implements, and monitors a laboratory quality assurance program; reviews and validates analytical data reported to water quality management, clients, and personnel; assures that validated data meets acceptance and reporting criteria as set forth by the quality assurance plan and regulatory agencies.
• Implements approved analytical procedures; writes standard operating procedures for the work of the group.
• Consults with water quality clients regarding the delivery of analytical services; organizes and directs the delivery of analytical services; answers technical questions regarding reported data; implements modification where appropriate; may represent the bureau and laboratory in meetings with other water quality jurisdictions which coordinate regional monitoring activities.
• Coordinates the planning and development of sample collection and monitoring procedures.
• Prepares budget requests and recommends major purchases for section; participates in development of bureau and laboratory policies and procedures; develops and submits policies and procedures to group for review and comment.
• Performs other related duties of class 2488 Supervising Chemist as assigned.

1. Possession of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry or closely related laboratory science; and
2. Eight years (8) of verifiable laboratory experience in analytical chemistry of which must include two (2) years experience in a water quality or wastewater laboratory; and
3. Possession valid driver’s license.

Desirable Qualifications: Experience working in Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) or The NELAC Institute (TNI)  accredited laboratory.

Verification of Education and Experience:
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.  Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. For more information click HERE.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

SALARY: $131,508.00 - $159,848.00/year

Benefits Information

Application Opening - November 10, 2021 
Application Deadline - December 6, 2021

Selection Procedures
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

1. Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) completed online.
2. In-Person Written Essay Exam

Once the application is closed, qualified candidates will be sent a Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) to complete.  Failure to complete this step by the established deadline will result in disqualification.  Candidates deemed qualified will be invited to the in-person written exam.  Candidates must complete and pass both the MQSQ and Written Exam to be placed on the eligible list. 

Exam Information:

Written Exam weighted at 100% 
Candidates deemed qualified will be admitted to a written in-person essay exam designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas which may include but not be limited to: knowledge of chemistry, EPA methods analysis of water/wastewater, QA/QC protocols, laboratory safety rules and regulations, communication skills, and supervisory skills.
Eligible List Duration: Twelve (12) months.
Certification Rule: Rule of the Seven.
Exam Type: Combined, Promotive and Entrance

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.  [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4.  Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.  Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at http://sfgov.org/civilservice/rules.

In line with the Official Public Health Order to slow the spread of COVID-19, “shelter-in-place” has been issued for all San Francisco residents that is expected to be in effect until further notice. As a result, Department of Human Resources (DHR)’s office (located at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103) is currently closed to the general public. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Human Resources Analyst listed on this announcement.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Benefits
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement
• Credit in Promotional Exams

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Michelle Chee at [email protected].

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.