Laboratory Quality Assurance Coordinator

San Antonio Water System • San Antonio, TX

1d

About The Position

The Laboratory Quality Assurance Coordinator leads, develops, maintains, and monitors implementation of the laboratory quality assurance program, notifying laboratory management of deficiencies and working with chemists and analysts to initiate and verify corrective actions. The coordinator oversees review of laboratory quality control data and arranges or conducts internal audits of each laboratory section at least annually, as well as external TCEQ audits on the biennial cycle.

The role provides QA/QC guidance for inorganic, organic, and microbiological analyses; analyzes QC data and monitors compliance with acceptance criteria; records analytical data in LIMS; and ensures that failed QC parameters are addressed through re-analysis or client documentation about data usability. The coordinator writes and revises quality plans, standard operating procedures, and other quality-system documentation, approves documents written by laboratory staff, and maintains document control.

The position supervises, selects, trains, and evaluates assigned personnel; schedules and documents required QA procedures; conducts or plans audits of the laboratory and primary contract laboratory; and trains analysts and technicians. It also researches and recommends methods, equipment, and instrumentation that may improve analytical quality or efficiency. The position reports to the Laboratory Director, works under limited supervision, and leads assigned staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or a related discipline from an institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
• Five years of experience in environmental laboratory analysis.
• General knowledge of microbiological, inorganic, and organic methods used in the laboratory, including quality control and assurance procedures.
• Must have or obtain documented training in QA/QC and quality-system requirements defined by NELAC within one year of appointment.
• Intermediate-level skills in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Ability to guide laboratory personnel on quality, ethics, data integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external customers, agencies, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and public relations.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or a related discipline from an institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
• Experience using PerkinElmer LabWorks ES Laboratory Information Management System and/or Northwest Analytical Quality Analyst.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, maintain, and monitor implementation of the laboratory QA program and notify management of deficiencies.
• Collaborate with chemists and analysts to initiate and verify corrective actions addressing systemic defects in analytical processes.
• Oversee review of all laboratory QC data and provide QA/QC guidance for inorganic, organic, and microbiological analyses.
• Perform statistical analysis of QC data, establish control limits, and review ongoing compliance.
• Ensure failed QC parameters result in sample re-analysis or client documentation describing limitations on data usability.
• Record analytical data in LIMS and review QC charts to verify results are within limits.
• Write and revise the quality assurance plan, standard operating procedures, and other quality-system documentation; approve documents written by laboratory staff and maintain document control.
• Supervise staff, recommend staff selections, and develop, train, and evaluate personnel.
• Schedule and maintain records of QA procedures required by the laboratory program and regulations, including proficiency testing, demonstrations of capability, method detection limit studies, and verification of quantitation limits.
• Plan and/or conduct annual internal laboratory audits and audits of the primary contract laboratory.
• Train analysts and technicians on the laboratory quality system and relevant QA topics, and present relevant QA developments to SAWS staff.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend methodologies, equipment, and instrumentation to improve analytical quality or efficiency.
• Manage the quality assurance budget and contracts for proficiency testing and calibration services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level