Quality Assurance Specialist

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

8d

About The Position

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Division of Physical Security Management (DPSM), is seeking a full-time Quality Assurance Specialist to support the NIH Physical Security Program. The position helps ensure that NIH-owned and leased facilities comply with federally mandated physical security requirements and are protected against current and emerging threats. The role is classified as GS-1910-09/11/12.

The specialist performs quality assurance activities related to physical security programs, systems, services, and contractor operations supporting NIH facilities. Work includes planning and conducting reviews, audits, inspections, surveillance, and technical evaluations; applying statistical and analytical methods to assess performance; and testing and validating physical security systems against technical requirements and acceptance criteria. The role also contributes to contract acquisition and oversight, including serving as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Project Officer when delegated.

Requirements

• Meet the U.S. citizenship or U.S. National requirement by the announcement closing date.
• Successfully complete a background investigation, qualification verification, onboarding forms, required document submission, and other job-related requirements.
• Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle license.
• Successfully complete all requirements necessary to obtain COR certification within the timeframe established by the agency after placement.
• For GS-09 qualification through experience: have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 performing relevant quality assurance inspections, records review, data collection/reporting, and documentation or tracking activities; alternatively, meet the stated graduate education or education-and-experience combination pathway.
• For GS-11 qualification through experience: have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 involving quality assurance inspections or surveillance, contractor records and documentation review, analysis of performance data, and investigation of deficiencies; alternatively, meet the stated doctoral-level graduate education or education-and-experience combination pathway.
• For GS-12 qualification: have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 independently evaluating complex systems or contractor operations, assessing quality management systems, applying statistical or root-cause methods, and evaluating corrective and preventive actions.
• If qualifying based on education, the relevant fields include quality assurance, statistics, mathematics, production management, industrial management, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, physical sciences, textiles, or other fields related to the position.

Nice To Haves

• Current COR certification is preferred but is not required at the time of application.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality assurance activities for physical security programs, systems, services, and contractor operations supporting NIH facilities.
• Plan and conduct quality assurance reviews, audits, inspections, surveillance activities, and technical evaluations of contractor performance, operational processes, physical security systems, and related support services.
• Apply statistical methods, sampling techniques, root-cause analysis, and quality assurance principles to evaluate performance and document results.
• Inspect, test, validate, and verify physical security systems to determine whether products, systems, equipment, installations, and services meet technical requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Participate in developing and reviewing Statements of Work, Performance Work Statements, Independent Government Cost Estimates, quality assurance surveillance plans, acquisition packages, and technical evaluation criteria.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and/or Project Officer for assigned contracts, as delegated.
• Monitor contractor performance and contract deliverables, conduct surveillance, evaluate compliance with contract requirements, and provide technical findings and recommendations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• NIH may repay certain outstanding federally insured student loans, subject to organizational need, case justification, and budget limitations.
• Eligible newly appointed or reappointed employees may receive service credit for prior work experience or active-duty uniformed service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to agency approval and applicable conditions.
• A salary above the minimum may be considered based on superior qualifications or a special government need, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed