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.

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.