Job Description

Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist

RECRUITMENT ONLY

PURPOSE: To provide Quality Assurance (QA) expertise to an organizational element to assure systems are in place to perform on-going, independent self-assessment of highly diversified and complex mission requirements and laboratory/technical procedural protocols. To employ quality assurance procedures to evaluate compliance of the project's processes and products with applicable statutes, regulations, contract requirements, policies, plans, and procedures. To develop and manage related QA training programs supporting a Counterterrorism (CT) program involving an array of QA based activities, standards, and practices focusing upon forensic techniques, protocols, processes, and resources in Counterterrorism investigations and evidence processing. To support and integrate into the training program the organization's quality assurance standards in compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, contract requirements, policies, plans, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Develop plans, procedures, and other documents as part of a comprehensive QA system to support a multi-disciplinary mission consistent with client and laboratory requirements and recommendations.

• Coordinate and/or perform independent reviews, audits, and pre-assessments consistent with QA System requirements and recommendations.

• Serve as Quality Management System (QMS) subject matter expert to management and staff in developing and implementing a strategy for quality assurance in all disciplines within a laboratory or organizational element.

• Recommend revisions to mission operations, plans, and/or procedures and assist in the development of corrective actions consistent with customer, regulatory, and contractual requirements. Collate and coordinate findings to develop consensus recommendations that meet or exceed requirements for good practice in quality management. Support the client to implement approved revisions or newly established protocol, policy, practices, or standards.

• Manage the development, delivery, maintenance, and continual improvement of a comprehensive forensic focused training program. Interface with management and other government personnel to maximize currency and relevance of forensic training programs.

OTHER JOB DUTIES: 

• Implement approved training recommendations through application of appropriate resources within statutory, procedural, budgetary, and policy parameters. Follow through on implemented initiatives, making appropriate course corrections.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university/college and more than ten (10) years experience required; prefer a minimum of five (5) years recent experience in Quality Assurance in an accredited forensic laboratory. For three of the five (5) years immediately prior to applying for the specific contract position, the individual must have 1) resided in the United States; 2) worked for the United States overseas in a Federal or military capability; or 3) be a dependent of a Federal or military employee serving overseas. These individuals must, however, be United States citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens. Must possess an in-depth understanding of the threat to National Security posed by the proliferation of improvised explosive devices and the ability of the United States to deal with the threat through intelligence collection, technical and forensic detection, interdiction, and response. Must be knowledgeable about the workings of the interagency counterterrorism community and its associated programs and be able to recognize and extrapolate opportunities to enhance effectiveness in countering the threat through forensic focused training. Must possess a thorough understanding of and ability to apply evidence-handling procedures and protocols, quality assurance procedures, and the ability to understand and interpret technical documents and federal regulations. Expertise in managing forensic focused training resources and programs related to counterterrorism, national and homeland security, and law enforcement at the international, federal, state, regional, and local levels required. Must have experience in counterterrorism, intelligence, national and/or homeland security through military and/or law enforcement exposure to operational and interagency environments. Experience must provide strong capability to identify gaps and generate solutions that maximize forensic based quality assurance and training deliverables. Thorough knowledge of laboratory protocols, methods, and procedures necessary to fully execute the client’s mission and needs required. Must possess background or training/education in Quality Assurance practices and evidence-handling protocols and procedures. An active or reinstatable TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance required for this position.