Quality Assurance Officer (Chemist 4)



Quality Assurance Officer (Chemist 4)

Salary

$65,580.00 - $86,076.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County – Lacey, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2018-EAP4035-05540

Department

Dept. of Ecology

Opening Date

06/05/2018

Closing Date

Continuous

Description





Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is looking to fill an Quality Assurance Officer (Chemist 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters building in Lacey, WA.

The Quality Assurance Officer position is designated as the Agency's Quality Assurance Officer and is responsible for maintaining the Quality Management Plan, preparing the Quality Assurance Report to Management each biennium, and leading the agency's quality assurance activities. This position reports to the agency's manager of the Environmental Assessment Program with a dotted-line reporting to Ecology's Deputy Director. Work is assigned primarily by the Environmental Assessment Program Manager with additional direction from the agency's Deputy Director.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in chemistry, environmental science, statistics, and an Environmental Protection Agency-based quality assurance system. In addition, the ideal candidate would have excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others while maintaining rigorous quality assurance requirements.
 
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you've seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov.

Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
 

Duties



 
The Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure and assess environmental conditions in Washington State. 

Some of the key work activities of the Quality Assurance Officer position are:
  • Principal contact for quality assurance issues for the agency and works with EPA on agency quality assurance requirements and guidance for our agency.
  • Reviews highly technical environmental assessment plans and reports, including QAPPs and SOPs, to assure compliance with our agency's Quality Management Plan.
  • Trains and works closely with scientists within the Environmental Assessment Program to ensure quality assurance requirements are achieved.
  • Works across the agency through Quality Assurance Coordinators to lead quality assurance requirements.
  • Writes the agency's Quality Management Plan and the Quality Assurance Report to Management at required intervals.
This position is expected to ensure that the agency's science meets or exceeds our quality assurance requirements. The successful candidate will work with scientists to improve their choice and implementation of analytical, sampling, and other technical procedures. 

This is a leadership position within the agency. The position reports to the Environmental Assessment Program Manager and has a dotted line reporting to the agency's Deputy Director.  This position is involved in a wide variety of science, including freshwater gaging and water quality assessment, oceanography, modeling, marine biology, effectiveness monitoring, habitat monitoring, assessment of toxics, and more.

This position requires a person who can communicate effectively and respectfully with a wide diversity of staff to find the best solutions to ensure compliance to our quality assurance system.  It requires excellent listening and communications skills. It requires a strong knowledge base in chemistry, environmental science, statistics, and an Environmental Protection Agency-based quality assurance system.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be June 26, 2018.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before June 25, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 

Qualifications

 

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry AND six years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory including at least one year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists.
 
OR
 
One year of experience as a Chemist 3.
 
A Master's degree will substitute for two years of the required experience.
 
A Ph.D. degree will substitute for three years of the required experience provided a Bachelor's degree and the required college-level chemistry have been achieved.

Must have experience in computer technology, including database development in an analytical laboratory, hardware and software configurations.
 
Desirable Qualifications:
  • Graduate level chemistry degree or coursework.
  • 15 or more semester hours or 20 quarter hours in college-level statistics.
  • Experience implementing a quality assurance system.
  • 5 or more years of experience writing QAPPs and/or SOPs.

Supplemental Information

 

Application Instructions:
 
In order to be considered, applicants MUST attach the following documents as an attachment to their application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume", may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."


Other Information:
 
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Carol Smith at: casm461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Carol to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

More than Just a Paycheck!
 
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

 
Read about our benefits:
 
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.

Insurance Benefits
 
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
 
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
 
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
 
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
 
Vacation (Annual Leave)
 
You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.
 
Holidays
 
Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:
 
HOLIDAY
DATE
 
New Year's Day
January 1
 
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday
Third Monday in January
 
Presidents' Day
Third Monday in February
 
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
 
Independence Day
July 4
 
Labor Day
First Monday in September
 
Veterans' Day
November 11
 
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
 
Christmas Day
December 25
 
Personal Holiday
Employee's selection each calendar year

*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
 
Social Security
 
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
 
Sick Leave
 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.
 
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.

01
How did you learn about this job posting?
  • www.careers.wa.gov
  • Community Based Organization
  • Community / Technical College
  • Ecology Employee
  • Ecology Recruiter
  • Ecology Jobs Page
  • Facebook
  • Job Board
  • Job Fair
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other State Agency
  • Other Website
  • Professional Association
  • Twitter
  • Radio
  • University Job Board
  • WorkSource
02
If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, Radio, University Job Board or WorkSource location then please share which one.
03
Please select the statement that best describes your level of education in the field of chemistry.
  • I have a bachelor's degree.
  • I have a bachelor's degree in a non-chemistry field, but have at least 30 semester or 45 hours of college level chemistry.
  • I have a master's degree.
  • I have a PhD.
  • None of the above statements apply
04
Please indicate your degree and major.
05
If you have a degree in a non-chemistry field, please list your college level chemistry courses below.
06
Please select the statement that best describes your experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.
  • I have at least three (3) years of experience.
  • I have at least four (4) years experience.
  • I have at least six (6) years of experience.
  • I have at least two (2) years of experience as a Chemist 2.
  • I have at least one (1) year of experience as a Chemist 3.
  • None of the above statements apply.
07
Please list your position title(s) and describe your duties, with periods of employment, to support your response to the previous question. An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration. If none, please type N/A on the space below.
08
Please describe your experience conducting on-site audits, assessments, or inspections of environmental laboratories. List your position title and job duties to support your response to this question.
09
Please describe your knowledge and experience with quality control procedures at environmental laboratories.
10
Please describe how you provided technical assistance to others at environmental laboratories, to resolve problems related to methodology and quality control requirements.
11
Please describe your experience working at a commercial environmental laboratory?
12
Please describe your experience working at an industrial laboratory?
13
Please describe your experience working at a county, state or federal government laboratory?
14
Please describe your experience working at a college or university laboratory?
15
List all the conventional chemistry test methods you have performed in a laboratory?

Required Question

Agency
State of Washington
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Phone
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