As the Quality Assurance Coordinator, you will be responsible for managing the quality assurance program and ensuring that the laboratories' activities meet the ISO 17025, 43 and 9001 quality assurance standards at the at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Supervising subordinates more than 25% of the time including, but not limited to, recruitment, selecting, appraising, rewarding, addressing performance problems, and fostering an inclusive workplace. Facilitates the development of policies and coordinates a comprehensive internationally recognized quality assurance program. Provides scientific advice on quality assurance relating to testing, general/technical advisory/consultative support, functional direction, protocols, requirements, guidelines, standards and documents Maintains quality assurance program standards through coordination of quality assurance activities with the laboratory quality managers. Maintains training program where workshops, training courses, seminars, and on-the-job training curricula on quality assurance subject areas are provided. Plans, develops, and implements monitoring systems/activities to assess capability and proficiency of the laboratories to provide accurate results and products with appropriate sensitivity/specificity Provides consultative support/advice regarding quality assurance in program maintenance/expansion, diagnostic testing, and resolution/prevention of quality assurance problems. Recommends strategic and operational goals with timelines with regard to resource commitments, compliance, and program direction. Assigns and reviews the work of staff to ensure timely performance, soundness, and value.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database check required for work involving Biological Select Agents and Toxins.
• The work involves sitting, walking, standing, bending and carrying of light items. No special physical demands are involved in performing the work.
• The work is usually performed in an office setting, but also involves exposure to the risks and hazards of harmful biological, chemical and physical agents.
• Restrictions against contact with birds and livestock outside the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory and Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories and BSL3 animal facilities are required.
• Some building locations have a high noise level due to ventilation, mechanical systems and laboratory equipment.
• Protective devices such as gloves, goggles, face mask or respirators may be used to perform laboratory and animal tasks.
• Strict agent safety regulations are applied to prevent the escape of animal pathogens from the work environment.
• The health status of personnel is monitored periodically using biologic and serologic tests and physical examinations.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in the biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or related disciplines appropriate to the position, PLUS appropriate experience or additional course work. In addition to the basic educational requirement located in the Education section below, applicants must also meet the education/experience requirements for GS-13 listed below: FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Providing leadership and guidance to the Quality Assurance group including workload distribution, personnel management, funding allocation, and application of management policies. Preparing written scientific reports, decision memorandums through cooperation with subject matter experts and collaborators internally and externally. Presenting information at meetings and preparing reports and correspondence for communicating with laboratory personnel about quality assurance. Performing internal audits and evaluating analytical data, quality control data/records, and/or suitability of corrective actions to determine conformance with ISO 17025 requirements and established procedures. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]