Environmental Lab Scientist III (Quality Assurance Officer)
- Summary
WHO MAY APPLY: This is open to the public.
King County values diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The Water and Land Resources Division encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.
This full-time position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible. This position is based on a 40-hour workweek. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Periodic extended hours and occasional weekend work is required and should be expected.
JOB DESCRIPTION: The King County Environmental Lab (KCEL) is a full service environmental laboratory supporting a range of King County wastewater treatment and environmental programs (See http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/wlr/sections-programs/environmental-lab.aspx for more details). The Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) reports to the Lab Manager and is part of the Lab's Management team. The QAO is responsible for the Lab's Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Program; maintaining required accreditation to meet the Lab's regulatory compliance requirements; conducting assessments of, and compliance with the Lab's QA/QC policies and procedures; ensuring data integrity; reporting QA/QC and other analytical issues and deficiencies to management, training staff in QA/QC protocols, leading required QA/QC updates and changes, and performing other duties as assigned.- Job Duties
- Maintains and coordinates KCEL's Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Program.
- Ensures appropriate accreditation and certification compliance for EPA, Standard Methods, SW-846, DMRQA Programs required for NPDES, MTCA, SMS, and drinking water programs.
- Works with Lab's Management team and lab staff to recommend and implement QA/QC policies including: setting up QA/QC policies and protocols; administering internal audits and blind studies; ordering and reporting WP/PE/DMRQA samples; and setting up QC and staff training documentation.
- Conducts detailed internal audits and assessments of lab methodology and processes down to standard/reagent log books, raw data, instrument settings, calibration, SOP adherence, calculations, data/QC interpretation and regulatory compliance.
- Coordinates and prepares for all on-site accreditation visits.
- Periodically review, update and sign off on KCEL's QA/QC Manual, Standard Operating Procedures, internal QA documentation logs, and Data Anomaly Forms.
- Oversees method development efforts and obtain accreditation for new methods whenever possible.
- Keeps KCEL current with EPA and other relevant regulatory method and QA/QC changes.
- Oversees lab units' control charted QC data; MDL, RDL, and PQL determinations; and other calculation dependent protocols and processes.
- Enters final data into the Washington State EIM database.
- Evaluates datasets for completeness, accuracy, and overall quality as required.
- Aids lab management, staff and customers in understanding regulatory requirements, data interpretation, QC results and QC anomalies.
- Documents method, instrument, and personnel changes over time.
- Organizes and oversees KCEL's sample and QC data archival systems.
- Represent KCEL at internal/external project, committee, and interagency, meetings and conferences.
- Represent KCEL in all accreditation efforts with WDOE, EPA and other relevant agencies.
- Proactively participate with the lab's management team and staff in discussions and policies around ethics, data integrity, legally defensible data, and data/QC interpretation.
- Constructively problem-solve work issues in a team environment.
- Working with King County Records; Information Technology; Purchasing and Contract Services; and other internal and external Agencies required to perform duties.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Bachelor's degree in either chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, biology, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of seven years of experience and increasing responsibility as a chemist, biologist, toxicologist, microbiologist, and/or QA Officer in an environmental laboratory.
- Advanced knowledge of the principles and protocols of QA/QC theory and methodology for environmental analyses in the following disciplines: trace organics, trace metals, conventionals, toxicology and/or microbiology.
- Advanced knowledge of environmental sample analyses in at least one of the following disciplines: trace organics, trace metals, conventionals, toxicology, and/or microbiology.
- In-depth knowledge of EPA and Standard Method QA/QC principles, data validation, and data interpretation.
- Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of EPA and other regulatory analytical methods for environmental analyses, sample collection and field measurements.
- Comprehensive knowledge of EPAs Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits; Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) stormwater and recreational waters regulations; WDOE's Sediment Management Standards (SMS), EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act and hazardous waste regulations; the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA); and other relevant regulatory and compliance frameworks.
- Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); Microsoft Excel; other Microsoft Office products or equivalents; instrument data acquisition and processing software.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills; including scheduling of internal and external audits, ordering of PE Samples, reviewing Standard Operating Procedures, etc.
- Ability to proactively and independently research, learn, and fill in knowledge gaps.
- Ability to build consensus by using diplomacy, collaboration, and pragmatism when working with lab management, staff, customers, and regulators.
- Strong mathematical, statistical, and problem solving skills.
- Strong ability to clearly communicate highly technical information orally and in writing to lab management, staff, customers and regulators.
- Ability to promote mutual respect and acceptance of all workers in a diverse, high production and stressful environment.
- Supplemental Information
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Two years of experience as a Quality Assurance Officer for an environmental laboratory.
- QA/QC Program experience with multiple environmental laboratory disciplines.
- Experience in analyzing samples in multiple environmental laboratory disciplines.
- Experience in method development.
- Experience in gaining and maintaining accreditation for new and existing methods.
- Experience implementing HPLC MS/MS methodology and Chemicals of Emerging Concern.
- Experience in supervising scientists.
- Masters or PhD in scientific discipline.
- A King County Application Form
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Answers to the supplemental questions.
SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants who meet the required qualifications will be screened based on the clarity, completeness and content of their application materials. After initial screening, the most competitive applicants may proceed to an interview and potential testing.
Supplemental Questions:
Answers to the supplemental questions must be completed and submitted with the application. The questions address important elements of this position and the information you provide will help to determine your eligibility for further consideration. You will be evaluated on the clarity of your responses and the level and extent of your experience, qualifications, and knowledge as detailed in this job announcement. Please limit your response to no more than 4 pages total.
Contact for questions related to this recruitment:
Michelle Kobuki, HR Analyst
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
206-477-4740.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Please describe your environmental laboratory analytical experiences to include: bench and/or instrument; QA/QC duties; interfacing with local, state, and/or federal agencies concerning compliance, regulations, and/or accreditation efforts. Be specific.02Please describe any policy or program improvements and/or changes you've led in an environmental laboratory setting.03Describe a real situation where you were in disagreement about data quality with a regulator or coworker. What was the issue? Who was involved? What steps did you take? Were you satisfied with the outcome? What did you learn?04What do you believe are the biggest challenges for the role of a Quality Assurance Officer at an environmental lab such as KCEL?
Required Question