Quality Officer (Laboratory System Quality Specialist) Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pabureau/jobs/newprint/4778801) Apply  Quality Officer (Laboratory System Quality Specialist) Salary $75,678.00 - $114,915.00 Annually Location Chester County, PA Job Type Civil Service Permanent Full-Time Job Number CS-2025-15810-72072 Department Department of Health Division HL Div Op Qlty Assur Opening Date 01/08/2025 Closing Date 2/6/2025 11:59 PM Eastern Job Code 72072 Position Number 50668635 Union Non-Union Bargaining Unit B3 Pay Group ST09 Bureau / Division Code 00077341 Bureau / Division Bureau of Laboratories / Division of Operations and Quality Assurance Worksite Address 110 Pickering Way City Exton, Pennsylvania Zip Code 19341 Contact Name John Renninger Contact Email jorenninge@pa.gov + Description + Benefits + Questions THE POSITION Are you a motivated professional with a keen eye for detail and a passion for enhancing quality in laboratory settings? The Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories (BOL), is looking for a dedicated Quality Officer to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will play a crucial part in supporting our mission to conduct investigatory, diagnostic, and confirmatory testing for infectious and non-infectious diseases, delivering accurate and timely analytical results on human and non-human specimens. This is an excellent opportunity to gain comprehensive insight into the operations of a public health laboratory while collaborating with a dynamic team. If you are eager to contribute to meaningful work in public health, we encourage you to apply today! DESCRIPTION OF WORK In this position, you will collaborate as part of a team of quality officers, assisting management in ensuring adherence to quality regulations and standards essential to the BOL's mission. You will support managers, bench scientists, and administrative personnel in enhancing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of bureau operations. Your responsibilities will include developing and maintaining a thorough understanding of relevant statutes, regulations, professional standards, and accreditation requirements for a public health laboratory performing clinical testing. You will provide expert guidance on regulatory compliance, best practices, quality improvement, and safety initiatives. Additionally, you will be responsible for developing and updating written policies, processes, and procedures to enhance the BOL’s quality practices, including maintaining the quality manual that outlines requirements related to personnel qualifications, responsibilities, training, and competency assessments. Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description (https://careers.employment.pa.gov/pd/PD\_NEOGOV.asp?p=50668635) . Work Schedule and Additional Information: + Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week + Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch. + Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 2 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Exton. + Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. + You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: + T wo years as a Forensic Scientist 2; or + Two years as a Forensic DNA Scientist 2; or + Four years of professional laboratory experience analyzing chemical, physical, or biological substances or materials and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, microbiology, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry or microbiology. Special Requirement: + This position requires possession of an active PA non-commercial Class C driver’s license or equivalent. Other Requirements: + You must meet the PA residency requirement (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) and click on Residency. + You must be able to perform essential job functions. Legal Requirement: + You must pass a background investigation. How to Apply: + Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnotbe reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). + If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. + Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. + Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. Veterans: + Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov . Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): + 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. EXAMINATION INFORMATION + Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam). + Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. + Your score is valid for this specific posting only. + You must provide complete and accurate information or: + your score may be lower than deserved. + you may be disqualified. + You may only apply/testoncefor this posting. + Your results will be provided via email. Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this shortvideo (https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtcSRnndflc?rel=0) ! See the total value of your benefits package by exploring ourbenefits calculator. Health & Wellness We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.* Compensation & Financial Planning We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. Work/Life Balance We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* Values and Culture We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving. Employee Perks Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships. For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visitwww.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box. *Eligibility rules apply. 01 Special Requirement- Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension? + Yes + No 02 If you answered yes, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below. 03 Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Forensic Scientist 2 or as a Forensic DNA Scientist 2 for two or more years full-time? + Yes + No 04 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 05 Do you possess four or more years of full-time professional laboratory experience analyzing chemical, physical, or biological substances or materials? + Yes + No 06 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 07 Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, microbiology, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry or microbiology? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visitinghttps://www.naces.organd clicking the Evaluation Services link. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visithttps://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3and click on Other Information. + Yes + No 08 You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. Youmustcomplete the applicationandanswer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnotbe reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions. Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training.The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered.In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function. If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions. If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to ourFAQ page (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) . + Yes 09 WORK BEHAVIOR 1 – POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Develops, implements, and maintains policies and procedures to ensure accurate laboratory test results and meet established requirements, which includes: • researching and reviewing requirements (e.g., statutes, regulations, professional standards) and changes relevant to laboratory operations • identifying discrepancies or gaps between requirements and current policies and procedures • recommending means of resolving discrepancies or gaps between requirements and policies and procedures • writing policies and procedures for management review and approval • maintaining disposition of policies and procedures, including tracking their creation, approval, issuance, revision, discontinuation, and archiving Levels of Performance In which of the followingpolicy- and procedure-related laboratory activitiesdo you have experience? (Select all that apply.) + A. Researching and reviewing requirements and changes relevant to laboratory operations + B. Comparing requirements to policies and procedures to identify discrepancies or gaps + C. Recommending means of resolving discrepancies or gaps between requirements and policies and procedures + D. Writing policies and procedures to meet requirements + E. Maintaining disposition of policies and procedures + F. NO experience related to this work behavior 10 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to each duty you claimed in this work behavior. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. Your response must include: + The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. + Your experience(s) in policy- and procedure-related activities relevant to laboratory operations. + The actual duties you performed and your level of responsibility. 11 WORK BEHAVIOR 2 – QUALITY AUDITS Perform laboratory quality audits, which includes: • preparing audit checklists • reviewing documentation (e.g., quality policies, test procedures, personnel records, calibration/maintenance records, quality control records, test result reports) • interviewing laboratory staff • comparing findings across audits to identify recurring problems and/or trends • preparing reports of findings and/or deviations from requirements Levels of Performance In which of the followingquality-related laboratory activitiesdo you have experience? (Select all that apply.) + A. Preparing audit checklists + B. Reviewing documentation + C. Interviewing laboratory staff + D. Comparing findings across audits to identify recurring problems or trends + E. Preparing reports of findings or deviations from requirements + F. NO experience related to this work behavior 12 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to each duty you claimed in this work behavior. If you claimed you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. Your response must include: + The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. + Your experience(s) performing laboratory audits, including the setting in which it was performed. + The actual duties you performed and your level of responsibility. 13 WORK BEHAVIOR 3 – PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Identify the root cause of problems in laboratory operations (i.e., the preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases of testing and all laboratory support functions) and develop corrective actions, which includes: • identifying the root causes of problems • developing corrective action plans • coordinating implementation of corrective action plans • performing follow-up assessments to determine the effectiveness of corrective actions • ensuring all follow-up documentation is complete Levels of Performance In which of the followingproblem identification and corrective action-related laboratory activitiesdo you have experience? (Select all that apply.) + A. Identifying the root causes of problems + B. Developing corrective action plans + C. Implementing corrective action plans + D. Performing follow-up assessments to determine the effectiveness of corrective actions + E. Ensuring all follow-up documentation is complete + F. NO experience related to this work behavior 14 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. + The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. + Your experience(s) related to identifying and correcting root causes of problems in laboratory operations. + The actual duties you performed and your level of responsibility. Required Question Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Address 613 North Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov