Quality Assurance and Safety Program Manager (Laboratory System Quality Specialist)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture seeks a Quality Assurance and Safety Program Manager to strengthen statewide food safety testing and inspection programs. You will lead the development of quality systems and ensure compliance with scientific standards across laboratory and inspection services.

The role involves directing quality policy enforcement, standardizing procedures, and managing records.

Qualifications

• Quality System Leadership: Design and guide a full Quality Management System that connects inspection practices with laboratory services
• Program Enforcement: Apply quality policies and procedures to ensure compliance with scientific and regulatory expectations
• Procedure Standardization: Develop and unify Standard Operating Procedures across regions and laboratory groups
• Record Management: Maintain document control and ensure proper handling, security, and organization of laboratory records

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and direction of major quality and safety programs that support statewide laboratory and inspection services
• Ensure that food safety and testing activities meet strict scientific and regulatory standards
• Oversee quality policy enforcement and standardization across regions and lab groups
• Maintain accurate records and document control for laboratory activities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, microbiology, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry or microbiology

Job description

As the Quality Assurance and Safety Program Manager for the Department of Agriculture, you can make a real impact on food safety in Pennsylvania. This role supports statewide efforts to ensure that testing and inspection work is dependable and effective. You will help strengthen the systems that keep communities safe and support agriculture. This is a meaningful leadership role with wide-reaching benefits.

This position leads the development and direction of major quality and safety programs that support statewide laboratory and inspection services. It ensures that food safety and testing activities meet strict scientific and regulatory standards. As a Quality Assurance and Safety Program Manager, you will perform the following duties:

• Quality System Leadership: Design and guide a full Quality Management System that connects inspection practices with laboratory services
• Program Enforcement: Apply quality policies and procedures to ensure compliance with scientific and regulatory expectations
• Procedure Standardization: Develop and unify Standard Operating Procedures across regions and laboratory groups
• Record Management: Maintain document control and ensure proper handling, security, and organization of laboratory records

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework:You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 2 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Two years as a Forensic Scientist 2 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Two years as a Forensic DNA Scientist 2 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Four years of professional laboratory experience analyzing chemical, physical, or biological substances or materials and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, microbiology, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry or microbiology.

Special Requirement

• This position requires possession of an active PA non-commercial Class C driver’s license or equivalent.

Other Requirements

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

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 for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.