CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER 53039

3/1/90 B

This expert-level class is responsible for managing a Quality Assurance and Safety Program for analytical and testing services provided by the state's central and regional chemistry, forensic science, and microbiology laboratories; statewide laboratory inspection and certification programs such as the Laboratory Inspection and Certification Program for Virginia laboratories analyzing drinking water; and a Laboratory Technical Support program for state purchasing and supply operations. Job duties require the exercise of independent judgment and decision making in the management of the Quality Assurance/Laboratory Inspection Section of the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), including formulating and updating quality assurance and safety policies and procedures; developing, maintaining, and updating regulations for certification of drinking water laboratories; establishing section goals and objectives; allocating staff resources; and recommending section budgets. This class is distinguished from the Quality Assurance Analyst by its program responsibility; the multiple services provided by the program, such as quality assurance and safety services for a variety of scientific laboratories, laboratory certification, and product testing services; and by independent management of program activities.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty requiring the management and coordination of a quality assurance and safety program for a variety of complex scientific laboratories; certification and inspection programs; and a product testing program. Work is performed to ensure the safety and welfare of employees in the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services; the integrity of laboratory analytical and testing data; the capability of the laboratory to reconstruct testing procedures when required; product compliance with state procurement specifications; and state compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Work is accomplished by applying scientific, quality assurance, and safety principles and practices to the development of policies and procedures; evaluation of the quality assurance program for the state's central and regional laboratories; and management of human, financial, and material resources in the Quality Assurance Section. Federal, state, and professional policies, procedures, regulations, and standards are applied and interpreted. Managerial activities typically involve formulation of safety and quality assurance (QA) policies; review of audit reports concerning in-house or statewide drinking water laboratory deficiencies; audit of bureau QA plans, identification of noncompliance with Division QA plan, and recommendation of changes required for compliance; development of State regulations; development of section goals and objectives; analysis of laboratory quality assurance requirements;

allocation of human resources; preparation of section budget; review of product testing results for clarity and completeness; audit of DCLS Bureaus for appropriateness of testing methods and procedures used, analyst qualifications, and controls for equipment, reagents, and procedures; and review and investigation of accidents, injuries, and hazardous conditions.

Supervision Given: Supervises Quality Assurance Analysts and other workers assigned to the Quality Assurance Section.

Supervision Received: General direction is received from the Department of General Services' Deputy Director for the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. Position is expected to manage section activities with minimal supervision.

Scope: Plans, develops, and manages a quality assurance and safety program for statewide chemistry, forensic, and microbiology laboratory services; an inspection and certification program for private, commercial, and municipal drinking water laboratories; and a technical, scientific support program for state purchasing.

Impact of Action: Work has a serious impact on state laboratory compliance with federal and state regulations and professional scientific standards, guidelines, and practices; accuracy of state laboratory testing and analytical results; compliance of Virginia drinking water laboratories with federal regulations; DCLS employee safety; and compliance of state purchases with purchase order and contract specifications.

Personal Contacts: Position has routine internal and external contact with state agencies; private, commercial, and municipal drinking water laboratories; Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies; vendors; safety and quality assurance instructors; managers and staff of the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services; and managers and staff of the Division of Purchases and Supply.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of scientific disciplines and of safety and quality assurance programs for scientific laboratories.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to develop and manage a laboratory quality assurance program; to communicate orally and in writing; and to supervise a staff.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in a natural or physical science and training or advanced course work in laboratory quality assurance and safety.

Level and Type of Experience: Extensive laboratory experience in a variety of scientific disciplines, including managerial, fiscal, supervisory, and public relations responsibilities.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This is a new class in the Consolidated Laboratory Quality Assurance series. It is the result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program, effective March 1990.