Quality Assurance Specialist

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

13d

About The Position

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Division of Physical Security Management (DPSM), is hiring a full-time Quality Assurance Specialist to support the NIH Physical Security Program. The position helps ensure NIH-owned and leased facilities comply with federally mandated physical security requirements and are protected against current and emerging threats.

The specialist performs quality assurance activities related to physical security programs, systems, services, and contractor operations supporting NIH facilities. The role includes planning and conducting reviews, audits, inspections, surveillance, and technical evaluations; applying quality assurance principles and analytical methods; and testing and validating physical security systems against technical requirements and acceptance criteria. The specialist may contribute to acquisition and contract documents and, as delegated, serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and/or Project Officer to monitor contract performance and deliverables.

The position is designated non-emergency/teleworker. During a closure, the employee must be available to telework or request leave. The selectee must hold a valid state motor vehicle license and be able to obtain COR certification within the agency-established timeframe. Work schedule flexibilities may be available at the supervisor’s discretion.

Requirements

• Meet the U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status requirement by the announcement closing date.
• Complete a background investigation, qualification verification, onboarding forms, required document submissions, 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, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Pass the required illegal drug test; employment is contingent on a negative result. Employees are subject to random, reasonable-suspicion, and post-accident drug testing.
• Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle license.
• Successfully complete all requirements for COR certification within the agency-established timeframe after placement.
• GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 performing the listed quality assurance support tasks; or a qualifying master’s/equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. in a listed or related field; or a qualifying combination of post-baccalaureate education and experience.
• GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 performing the listed inspection, contractor record evaluation, data analysis, or deficiency investigation tasks; or a qualifying Ph.D./equivalent doctoral degree, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a listed or related field; or a qualifying combination of post-baccalaureate education and experience.
• GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 independently performing the listed complex quality assurance evaluations, quality management system assessments, analysis, and corrective-action evaluation tasks.

Nice To Haves

• Current COR certification is preferred but is not required at the time of application.
• Relevant education may be in quality assurance, statistics, mathematics, production management, industrial management, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, physical sciences, textiles, or another field related to the position.

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 methodologies, 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 (SOWs), Performance Work Statements (PWSs), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), 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 eligible employees and their families.
• NIH may repay certain outstanding federally insured student loans on a case-by-case basis, subject to organizational need, justification, and budget limitations.
• A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior qualifying work experience or active-duty uniformed service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to approval before entry on duty.
• A salary above the minimum may be considered based on superior qualifications or a special government need, subject to approval and hiring-manager discretion.

What This Job Offers

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