Quality Assurance Coordinator
The Department of Ecology's priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are still hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. The majority of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
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 a Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) Quality Assurance Coordinator (Chemist 4) position. This position will be located at the Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) in Port Orchard, WA.
The position coordinates with Program Quality Assurance staff, helps prioritize Lab and Program Quality Assurance needs, and writes Scopes of Work for sub-contracting and performs subsequent data review of general and highly specialized chemistry analyses.
Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) is looking for a very organized experienced chemist who is both technically strong and an excellent communicator who must work well with the laboratory director, laboratory unit supervisors, laboratory staff, Ecology scientists and administrative staff. The ideal candidate must be able to effectively communicate with other state and federal agencies, counties and cities, private industry and the public. We are looking for applicants who possess an in-depth understanding of the complex technical issues related to this position, have high attention to detail, and have the ability to communicate and collaborate with a diverse workforce.
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.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
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.
The Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) is the leading environmental laboratory for the State of Washington. We conduct environmental laboratory analyses on samples collected throughout Washington State for organic, inorganic, and microbiological contaminants. The laboratory also conducts analyses for toxics in children's and consumer products.
Some of the key work activities for the Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) Quality Assurance Coordinator include:
- Directs, implements and oversees Quality Assurance activities at MEL.
- Maintains accreditation of MEL.
- Serves as a knowledgeable resource for Quality Assurance requirements and Quality Assurance Project Plans.
- Manages contracts, including writing Scopes of Work, Requests for Quotation and Qualification, evaluating contract laboratory bids, and validating contract laboratory data.
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be September 21, 2020. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 20, 2020. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
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 of environmental or consumer product samples following EPA and/or Standard Method analytical techniques in an environmental laboratory.
AND
One year of experience in a lead or supervisory role.
OR
One year of experience as a Chemist 3 performing chemical analysis of environmental or consumer product samples following EPA and/or Standard Method analytical techniques in an analytical laboratory.
NOTE: A Master's degree will substitute for two years of the required experience or 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.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Four or more years of experience reviewing and validating organic environmental data following EPA National Functional Guidelines.
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:
Requires the passing of a Federal Government background check.
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 Alan Rue at: alan.rue@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Alan 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.