QUAL ASSURANCE OFF (ENV SCI)

RI Council 94; Providence, Northern (RI, KY); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island Department of Health seeks a Quality Assurance Officer (Environmental Sciences) to lead QA/QC activities, proficiency testing, and training across the Division of Laboratories. The role focuses on developing and maintaining QA programs, audits, and internal/external testing standards.

Responsibilities include directing QA plans, supervising staff as needed, and coordinating with federal/state regulators to ensure compliance.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of QA, QC and proficiency testing concepts and their application in lab settings.
• Expert knowledge of inspection and test/measurement techniques and statistical sampling.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills for audits, reports and policies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee QA and QC activities across the Division of Laboratories.
• Administer proficiency testing programs and training initiatives.
• Develop, administer, and maintain QA activities and plans within the group.
• Plan and conduct audits and contribute to conformity assessments with policy requirements.
• Coordinate licensure and certification processes with external agencies and laboratories.

Skills

QA concepts

QC concepts

Proficiency testing

Statistical analysis

Audit reporting

Technical writing

Education

Master’s degree in physical/chemical/biological sciences

Bachelor’s degree + 7 years’ experience

Job description

Job Information

Department Department of Health Division Protective Services (Non-Sworn) Salary $101,191.00 - $114,274.00 Job Profile JC-02722606-92 - Quality Assurance Officer (Environmental Sciences) Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 4:30pm Standard 35.0 Job Requisition Number JR103704 QUAL ASSURANCE OFF (ENV SCI) (Open) Pay Grade C00337 A Classification Quality Assurance Officer (Environmental Sciences) Class Definition

General Statement of Duties

To be responsible for quality assurance activities in the Division of Laboratories within the field of specialization indicated by the title within the group: to serve as technical expert and program administrator in quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), proficiency testing, and training programs; to develop, administer, operate, manage, and maintain various QA activities in the Division; to perform other specific tasks as outlined within the group; and to do related work as required.

Supervision Received

Reports to and works under the general direction of a Laboratory Chief. The Laboratory Director will also provide oversight and direction. The incumbent will work with considerable latitude in the exercise of initiative and independent judgement; work is subject to review through a variety of mechanisms including conferences and submitted reports for conformance to federal, departmental, divisional and laboratory policies and objectives.

Supervision Exercised

As required, may supervise the work of a professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Illustrative Examples of Work Performed

To be responsible for quality assurance activities in the Division of Laboratories within the field of specialization indicated by the title within the group: to serve as technical expert and program administrator in quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), proficiency testing, and training programs; to develop, administer, operate, manage, and maintain various QA activities in the Division; to perform other specific tasks as outlined within the group:

• Environmental Sciences - food and water chemistry, air pollution monitoring, trace organic, pesticides, chemistry, and environmental microbiology. Duties will also include supervision and administration of the private analytical laboratory licensure/certification program.
• Biological Sciences - diagnostic microbiology, virology, serology, molecular diagnostics, clinical toxicology, and the specimen processing area. Duties will also include divisional training assignments.
• Forensic Sciences - drug chemistry, forensic toxicology, forensic biology, forensic DNA, combined DNA index system (CODIS), breath analysis, and the evidence control area.
• To assure all aspects of the Laboratory's QA, QC and proficiency testing are sound and within the Laboratory's QA program guidelines.
• To plan, direct and perform audit and consultative activities related to QA, QC, and internal and external open and blind proficiency testing.
• To plan, direct and perform training related to QA and QC activities.
• To apply statistical methods, as required, to identify quality problems and evaluate the effects of changes in testing and control system procedures on quality.
• To assess Laboratory needs regarding quality and proficiency testing programs through audit, testing procedures, and review of new and existing federal and state regulations.
• To maintain and enhance communication with the community, professional associations, accrediting and certifying groups, and governmental agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
• To prepare and present reports on the progress of Laboratory QA, QC, and proficiency testing activities.
• To help develop and help implement a QC program, including the use of statistical procedures and techniques.
• To design, implement and monitor a QA plan.
• To review and monitor QA and QC activities of the Laboratory in order to determine conformance with established policies, state or federal regulations, or accreditation requirements.
• To perform other administrative tasks related to assessing, maintaining, and improving the quality of the Laboratory as required.
• To develop and maintain a QA/QC data management system utilizing the latest computer technology available.
• To assist the Office of State Medical Examiners with their Quality Assurance Program and tracking of performance measures.
• To do related work as required.

Required Qualifications for Appointment

Knowledges, skills and capacities: A thorough knowledge of QA, QC and proficiency testing concepts; the ability to apply these concepts to resolve complex conditions in laboratory and administrative settings; expert knowledge of inspection and test and measurement techniques, including statistical analysis and sampling techniques, used to study QA and QC problems in laboratories and administrative environments; a thorough knowledge of laboratory methods and techniques, and the ability to apply such knowledge to assure the Laboratory meets state, federal and other applicable quality assurance requirements; a high degree of writing and oral skills to present and prepare audit and QA reports, policies and other documents; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to navigate complex computer program environments; and related capacities and abilities.

Education and Experience

Education: Possession of a master's degree in one of the physical, chemical, or biological sciences; and Experience: Employment in a laboratory leadership position in quality assurance. Or, Bachelor’s Degree in relevant specialty and seven years’ experience in related field.

Supplemental Information

This position serves as the Quality Assurance Officer for the Center for Environmental Sciences, in the Division of State Laboratories, responsible for quality assurance, quality control, and proficiency testing activities across the Center's laboratory sections, including but not limited to Food and Water Chemistry (Inorganic), Organic Chemistry, and Water Microbiology. The incumbent develops, administers, and maintains the laboratory's quality assurance program and serves as the primary technical authority for conformance to agency policy and federal and professional standards. A core function of this position is the oversight and administration of the private analytical laboratory licensure and certification program, under which the incumbent conducts on-site audits and certifies laboratories seeking authorization to perform regulated environmental testing in Rhode Island. This includes conducting on-site audits of the state's licensed cannabis testing laboratories in coordination with the Cannabis Control Commission. This licensing function requires the incumbent to hold, or be able to obtain, EPA Certification Officer (CO) qualifications in both the chemistry and microbiology disciplines.

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/. Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.

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Equal Opportunity

The State of Rhode Island provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the process, please contact [e-mail].