Location: On-site — Lakewood or Boulder, CO (National Water Quality Laboratory)
About the Role
Join a national water-quality laboratory as a senior Chemical Analyst / Subject Matter Expert supporting trace-level environmental analysis. You will validate and improve analytical methods, safeguard data quality, and mentor laboratory staff — playing a central role in the integrity of environmental data used to inform national water-resource decisions.
Key Responsibilities
• Perform chemical analysis and data analysis of instrumental analytical batches
• Validate new methods, troubleshoot existing methods, and test production methods against data-quality objectives and internal QC limits
• Lead method development, re-validation, and documentation in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and NELAC standards, comparable to US EPA and Standard Methods
• Use internal QC studies to calculate accuracy, bias, and variability; produce statistical, graphical, and summary QC/QA reports
• Serve as the point of contact for theoretical and interpretive questions in the organic or inorganic unit
• Train and mentor analytical staff; propose SOP updates as methods and regulations change
$120,000 - $124,800 a year
Required Qualifications
• B.S. in Chemistry
• Minimum 4 years as a senior scientist and 8+ years as an environmental chemist in a NELAC-, EPA-, or state-certified drinking-water laboratory
• Hands-on organic and/or inorganic method validation and testing, including equipment as complex as triple-quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometry
• Working knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and QC/QA statistics
• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal background investigation; U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree in chemistry or related field
• Experience with GC/MS, LC/MS/MS, and ICP-MS/OES
• Proficiency with Python or R for data analysis; experience with analytical/statistical software (e.g., MassHunter, Target)
About Akicita FederalAkicita Federal is a Native American-owned federal contractor delivering healthcare, clinical, IT, and program-support services across the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies. We hire the people who do the work — clinicians, analysts, engineers, support staff — and we treat them like the professionals they are.
Equal Opportunity EmployerAkicita Federal is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Akicita Federal complies with the Indian Preference provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638) where applicable.