QUAL ASSURANCE OFF (ENV SCI)

RI Council 94; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 101,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island State Health Laboratory is seeking a Quality Assurance Officer (Environmental Sciences) to lead QA/QC, proficiency testing, and training across environmental laboratory sections. The role includes developing and maintaining the QA program, authoring reports, and acting as a technical expert in quality systems.

The successful candidate will oversee audits, ensure conformance with state and federal regulations, and coordinate with external certifying bodies.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of QA, QC and proficiency testing concepts.
• Strong ability to apply QA/QC concepts in lab/administrative settings.
• Excellent writing and oral skills to present audit and QA reports.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct and perform internal audits of the laboratory sections.
• Develop and maintain the QA/QC data management system.
• Oversee proficiency testing enrollment and performance evaluation.
• Prepare and present reports on QA, QC, and proficiency testing activities.
• Assist External Audits and on-site evaluations conducted by EPA Region 1 and others.

Skills

QA/QC concepts

Statistical analysis

Auditing

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in physical, chemical, or biological sciences

Bachelor's degree in relevant field + 7 years experience

Job description

## QUAL ASSURANCE OFF (ENV SCI)Apply: Rhode Island State Health Laboratory: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: September 27, 2026 (9 days left to apply): JR103867# **Department**Department of Health# **Division**Laboratory# **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**35.0 Standard**# **Job Requisition Number**JR103867 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**The Quality Assurance Officer for the Center for Environmental Sciences is responsible for quality assurance, quality control, and proficiency testing across the Center's laboratory sections, including Food and Water Chemistry (Inorganic), Organic Chemistry, Air Pollution, Wastewater, and Water Microbiology. The incumbent develops, administers, and maintains the Center's quality assurance program and exercises independent authority over quality system conformance, including the authority to document nonconformances and require corrective action in any laboratory section. The position reports to the Chief of the Center for Environmental Sciences and functions independently of the laboratory sections whose work it evaluates. Core responsibilities include maintaining the Center's certifications and accreditations, including certification to perform compliance analyses under the Safe Drinking Water Act; planning and conducting internal audits of the laboratory sections; managing corrective action and deviation documentation; overseeing proficiency testing enrollment and performance evaluation; and serving as the Center's point of contact for external audits and on-site evaluations conducted by EPA Region 1 and other certifying bodies. The successful candidate will hold, or be able to obtain, EPA Certification Officer qualifications in both the chemistry and microbiology disciplines. The incumbent applies these criteria when auditing the Center's own laboratory sections and provides coverage for the Center's laboratory certification program as needed.