Quality Assurance Manager

Job Description:

Quality Assurance Manager

Description

SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW

ABOUT SOUTH COAST AQMD

South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the nation, serving a four-county region that includes Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and the Coachella Valley. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 Freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 850 employees, an annual budget of $216.5 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!

South Coast AQMD is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique backgrounds, skills, and experiences of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.

ABOUT THE POSITION

There is currently one vacancy in the Quality Assurance unit of the Monitoring and Analysis Division, reporting to the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer. Under direction of the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, the Quality Assurance Manager develops, implements, and manages a quality assurance program to ensure measurement quality objectives are being met for programs and projects involving monitoring, testing, and analysis of air pollutants; evaluates ambient air and laboratory measurement data; represents the agency on quality assurance matters; and does other work as required.

This position is responsible for managing and developing quality assurance control methods, plans, procedures, and programs; and for coordinating and implementing the review of documentation, training, and performance evaluations on the techniques, methods and procedures of source tests, chemical analysis, and ambient air monitoring.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to the job description linked here .

• Manages the daily administration and operation of the Quality Assurance Program.
  
• Reviews and updates the Quality Assurance Plan; writes, reviews or edits various technical reports and materials written for division or South Coast AQMD use, or external distribution.
  
• Serves as liaison with other divisions and agencies on Quality Assurance matters; may testify in court or before a hearing body.
  
• Advises the Director of Technical Services on technical matters related to scientific testing, analysis, measurement, and data evaluation methods.
  
• Supervises through subordinate staff, professional and technical personnel in the development and implementation of a quality assurance program of performance audits and precision checks to evaluate the accuracy and precision of source tests, chemical analyses, and air monitoring data.
  
• Develops and coordinates the training of division personnel in the techniques, methods, and procedures of source tests, chemical analyses, and ambient air monitoring in accordance with quality assurance and control policies and practices.
  
• Evaluates data quality assessment reports against quality control policies and procedures to identify inadequacies and recommends corrective action.
  
• Reports on chronic problems in data quality and proposes cost effective solutions in areas of prevention, appraisal and correction.
  
• Advises division personnel on relevant data quality methods, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with State and federal regulations.
  
• May supervise staff in one or more sections within the division.
  

MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the Minimum Qualifications which follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess:

• Directly-related supervisory or management experience, preferably involving writing and reviewing quality assurance and/or management plans and standard operating procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, conduct, and/or supervise performance-based and/or systems audits.
• Comprehensive knowledge of environmental issues, particularly how to carry out federal, State and local environmental programs or regulations that require a quality assurance or quality control element.
• Knowledge of technical methods and applications involved in quality assurance of laboratory analytical instrumentation and air monitoring equipment.
• An advanced degree in chemistry, engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Experience or knowledge of applying or developing quality assurance principles to new air measurement technologies and programs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Training and experience which would demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities in applying chemical and engineering principles to petroleum and chemical processing, electronic and mechanical operations of air monitoring equipment and commercial and industrial plants; knowledge of technical methods and applications involved in quality assurance and quality control programs; familiarity with local, State and federal laws relating to quality assurance matters.

Ability to develop, supervise and coordinate quality assurance activities with division personnel; provide innovative solutions to technical problems, such as the application or enforceability of rules and regulations; communicate effectively with all levels of management both orally and in writing; and represent South Coast AQMD at public meetings and hearings or with industry representatives.

Evidence of the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be demonstrated, in part, by graduation from an accredited college or university, preferably with a major emphasis in chemistry, engineering, physics, or a related field; and experience evaluating air pollution measurement procedures and methods.

A master's degree in engineering, chemistry or a related field may substitute for some managerial, administrative or direct supervisory experience.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE
A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test, and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question.Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers .An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application* .
*You MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application. Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application . At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.

Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Application packages, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to the next step of the process, which may include a writing exercise, oral assessment and/or panel interview.

Following the assessment process, an unranked eligible list, in alphabetical order, is expected to be created, from which the current vacancy may be filled, during the 6-12-month life of the list. Only those who demonstrate they are among the most competitively qualified, at each successive step of the selection process, will be advanced to the next step. (Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to the next step.)

Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, and modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.

Please call Human Resources at least one week in advance if you might need an accommodation at any step during the selection process.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.

MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW

BENEFIT

DESCRIPTION

Monthly Benefit Allotment

$2,060.00 to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Your insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following completion of 30 days of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans.

Medical Health Plans

Blue Shield PPO

Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan)

Blue Shield HMO

Kaiser HMO

Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan)

Dental Plans

Delta Dental PPO (without orthodontic benefits)

Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only)

DeltaCare (PMI) Dental

Vision Plan

EyeMed - Optional

Life Insurance

$5,000 Term Life Insurance

(Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP benefits are available to all employees and their families at no cost. EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Services include: confidential therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support groups.

Term Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment

$50,000 coverage paid by South Coast AQMD

(Additional optional coverage paid by you)

Long-Term Disability Coverage

Paid by South Coast AQMD

Employee-Paid Long-Term Care Plan

Optional

Section 125

Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care)

Work Schedule

Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday

Vacation

80 hours per year, increasing to 120 in years two through five

Holidays

13paid holidays per year

Sick Leave

100 hours per year

Other Leaves

Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness

Professional Licenses & Memberships

Reimbursed up to $300 per year; $478 for attorney bar dues

Wellness Reimbursement Program

Reimbursed up to $300 per year towards the cost of wellness initiatives

Salary Continuation Plan

Eligible after one year of service

Tuition Reimbursement

Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year

Deferred Compensation (457 Plan)

South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, 100% of your regular contribution, up to $8,800. South Coast AQMD matching contribution will be paid to your 401(a) plan.

Retirement

2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security.

01/01/2024

Closing Date/Time: 6/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$126,396.56 - $175,972.90 Annually