TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

NUMBER  2009-016

ISSUED   APRIL 08, 2009

 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

State Civil Service Commission

 

Examinations

 

for

 

CHEMISTS

 

Exam

No.

 

Job Titles

Job

Codes

Pay Schedule

and Range

1.

Chemist 1

15120

S6

2.

Chemist 2

15130

S7

 

When completing your application, please make sure you apply for all job titles for which you want to be tested.  You will NOT be permitted to add job titles after you test.

 

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

 

VETERANS:  Pennsylvania law (51 Pa.C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences and opportunities for veterans, visit the Commission’s website www.scsc.state.pa.us; visit one of our offices; or call our veterans information line, (717) 787-6039.

 

NATURE OF WORK

 

You will conduct, evaluate and report the results of analytical laboratory tests that qualitatively and quantitatively identify chemical materials and substances.  Work involves performing standardized tests to evaluate materials for the detection of substances for a variety of purposes.  Testing procedures usually include the application of instrument analysis techniques to determine chemical composition.  Some positions will perform work in a mobile laboratory or perform on-site evaluations and provide compliance assistance.

 

Chemist 2 level work is differentiated from the lower level by the independent responsibility for conducting research to develop and modify testing methods and procedures; and performing advanced chemical analysis through the use of advanced testing procedures and equipment.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

Please make sure you meet all requirements.  If after reading the requirements you are not sure you qualify, contact one of the Commission's offices listed at the end of this announcement.

 

You must be a Pennsylvania resident, of good moral character and able to perform the essential functions of the job.

 

Conditions of Employment

Certain positions will require possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.

 

Minimum Requirements

Chemist 1 - A bachelor’s degree in chemistry; OR a bachelor’s degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry.

 

Chemist 2 - One year as a Chemist 1; OR one year of professional chemical analytical experience, and a bachelor’s degree that includes 30 credits in chemistry or biochemistry; OR a graduate degree in chemistry.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

Lists created by these tests will be used to fill future vacancies as they occur due to retirements, promotions, transfers, resignations and so forth.

 

For the most recent information on job opportunities contact:

 

PA Department of Agriculture

PA Department of Health

Office of Human Resources

Bureau of Human Resources

2301 North Cameron Street

126 Health & Welfare Building

Harrisburg, PA  17110-9408

Harrisburg, PA  17108

Telephone:  (717) 787-1065

Telephone:  (717) 787-6002

Internet:  www.agriculture.state.pa.us

Internetwww.health.state.pa.us

 

 

PA Department of Environmental Protection

PA Department of Transportation

Bureau of Human Resources, 2nd Floor

Bureau of Human Resources

Rachel Carson State Office Building

P.O. Box 3789, Keystone Building

400 Market Street, P.O. Box 2357

Harrisburg, PA  17105-3789

Harrisburg, PA  17105-2357

Telephone:  (717) 787-5710

Telephone:  (717) 783-2021

Internet:  www.dot.state.pa.us

Internet: www.depweb.state.pa.us/employment

 

 

 

 

TESTING

 

The test will be administered on a computer.  Information about computerized testing is available online at www.scsc.state.pa.us OR in paper form at any State Civil Service Commission office.  You will have a maximum of 3 ½ hours to complete the test. 

 

The test will cover the following subject areas:

 

Subject Area

Number of Questions

 

Chemist 1

Chemist 2

General Theory

10

10

Chemical Substances and Processes

40

40

Chemical Equations

30

30

Laboratory Instruments and Chemical Analysis

30

30

Written Communication

15

15

Intermediate Laboratory Instruments and Chemical Analysis

 -

35

Total

125

160

 

The test will be administered in the Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh State Civil Service Commission offices, Monday through Friday.

 

The test will also be held approximately 10 days a month at additional test centers located in Allentown, Erie, Johnstown, Lock Haven, and Scranton.  For further details on test dates, contact the Commission’s Information Services Unit; Telephone (Voice) (717) 787-7811, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 783-8896.

 

If you take the test and want to take it again, you may be retested after 6 months from the date of your test.  You must submit a new application to be retested.

 

If your name is on an eligible list for these job titles and you take this test, your most recent examination result will be the only one counted.

 

TEST RESULTS

 

Employment and promotion lists will be established.  You will be notified in writing of your test results.

 

This test is different from previous tests for these job titles.  If you have taken the test before, you may get a different score on this test.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Apply online at www.scsc.state.pa.us or submit your completed paper application to:

 

State Civil Service Commission

ATTN:  Applications

P.O. Box 569

Harrisburg, PA  17108-0569

 

Applications and further information can be obtained from:

 

1.

State Civil Service Commission:

 

 

 

Harrisburg:  2nd Level, Strawberry Sq. Complex, 320 Market St., P.O.

 

Box 569, Hbg., 17108-0569; Telephone (Voice) (717) 783-3058, Text

 

Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 772-2685

 

 

 

Philadelphia:  110 North 8th St., Suite 503, Phila., 19107; Telephone

 

(Voice) (215) 560-2253, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers

only) (215) 560-4367

 

 

 

 

Pittsburgh:  411 Seventh Ave., Room 410, Pgh., 15219;

 

Telephone (Voice) (412) 565-7666, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-

 

Hearing callers only) (412) 565-2484

 

 

 

Internetwww.scsc.state.pa.us  

 

 

2.

PA CareerLink offices

 

 

3.

The Human Resources Offices listed under the "JOB OPPORTUNITIES" section

 

of this announcement

 

For further information on testing, assistance for persons with disabilities, veterans' preference and other items, refer to the instructions provided with the "Application for Employment/Promotion."