Quality Assurance Specialist

Duties

The incumbent is responsible to develop, implement and maintain a formal quality assessment program in compliance with the quality assurance program statement.

The incumbent leads the continuous evaluation and investigation of quality trends, deficiencies and customer related problems and is responsible to develop and implement acceptable alternatives.

Incumbent directly supervises and trains subordinate staff. Incumbent conducts spot checks, follow-ups and audits of the work to ensure quality compliance with regulations and standards.

Selects and trains inmates to carry out specific elements of the quality assurance program.

Under the direction of the QA Manager, staff are required to complete the quality assurance managers self study course.

The QA Manager may supervise inmate workers and is responsible for scheduling work coverage, providing training and technical assistance, detailing work assignments and verifying job performance, monitoring contracts, and customer requirements. Prepares and presents orientation programs, instructional materials, and briefings relative to quality assurance for internal use and external use by other government agencies.

Conducts complex technical studies of production processes, materials and equipment to determine causes of losses and quality deficiencies. Prepares reports recommending action to prevent or eliminate the causes.

Supervisory work and/or related managerial responsibilities constitute a major duty occupying at least 25% of the position’s time and requires accomplishment of work through the combined technical and administrative direction of subordinate employees.

Supervisory functions include a range of duties which include planning, organizing and reviewing work, administering personnel matters, and dealing effectively with employees and union representatives regarding employee-management concerns. Specific supervisory responsibilities may include assigning, directing and reviewing the work of subordinates; evaluating work performance; identifying training needs; recommending selections, promotions, awards, disciplinary or other actions; planning, scheduling and coordinating the work of the unit; giving advice and counsel to employees; hearing and resolving employee complaints and grievances; and determining the material, equipment, and facilities needed to perform the work.

If the position exercises managerial authorities, duties may include directing the work of an organizational unit, being held accountable for its success, and monitoring its progress toward meeting goals. Typical managerial responsibilities may include determining program goals and monitoring/evaluating the progress in meeting goals; determining resource needs and making adjustments in objectives, work plans and commitment of resources; determining the need for and developing plans for organizational changes; assessing program impact at the local level as well as on the organization as a whole; determining policy in such areas as program emphasis and operating guidelines; and administering general personnel policy regarding matters of significant importance.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.

Education:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related.

Major study–quality assurance, statistics, mathematics, production management, industrial management, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, physical sciences textiles, or other fields related to the position.

NOTE: If you are using education to qualify, you MUST provide legible transcripts to receive consideration. Transcripts must include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Transcripts MUST be received by the Consolidated Staffing Unit by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. (If you are selected for this position based upon your education, you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.)

For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications at the U.S. Department of Education website.

OR

Experience:

You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level in federal service. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

• Reviewing production activities and capabilities in light of contract quality requirements.
• Reviewing written quality or inspection procedures for adequacy, and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of quality/inspection systems, including sampling plans.
• Analyzing quality data to detect unsatisfactory trends or weaknesses in the quality/inspection system.
• Verifying by test or inspection, using sampling inspection or intensive product inspection techniques, that products comply with requirements prior to acceptance.
• Identifying inadequacies and requesting corrective action.
• Computing data, summarizing results, and preparing reports or charts depicting pertinent relationships using statistical methods.
• Investigating customer complaints and deficiency reports, and providing identification of causes to appropriate authorities.
• Reading, interpreting, and applying technical data such as blueprints, engineering drawings, product specifications, or technical manuals.
• Reviewing and evaluating supply systems operations and procedures through periodic audits and surveillance inspections.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:

Have a combination of education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

Credit will be given for experience gained in community, cultural, social service, and professional association on the same basis as paid work experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as number of hours worked per week) spent in the activities.

Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.