Technical Director SEI

ASTM International

About The Position

Directs comprehensive, coordinated management of technical and operational activities for the effective operation of the SEI Certification and Verification Programs. Provides leadership to technical and operational staff to ensure policies are in place to maintain compliance with internal policies and procedures and external accreditation requirements.

Requirements

Minimum BA/BS degree with specialized area of study in scientific or engineering discipline; focus on mechanical systems or equipment desirable.
Five or more years management experience (industry, certification program, association or related) with direct management responsibility for technical staff.
Experience/knowledge of conformity assessment and consensus standards development for ANSI, ASTM, NFPA, etc., particularly in the field of personal protective equipment would be a plus.
Federal regulatory and/or association knowledge relating to PPE issues is desirable.

Nice To Haves

Essential to communicate effectively in a technical atmosphere in daily discussions with technical direct staff reports, participants, testing lab personnel and quality auditors. Also periodic technical committee meeting participation requires such an appreciation and acceptance by other technical professionals. Public speaking experience is highly desirable.
The work environment is conducive to a collaborative and self-disciplined individual who is highly motivated and who enjoys directing a team.
Must be able to resolve conflict, analyze problems, to form appropriate action plans.
Essential to project professional image for the Institute with emphasis on technical capability, integrity and ethics.
Important to operate and prepare reports, correspondence, etc. in an effective and efficient mode.
Set priorities for direct staff reports and monitor progress as needed.

Responsibilities

Represents the Institute at key periodic technical committee meetings related to Institute representation at American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ASTM International, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and various other meetings held by federal agencies; i.e., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), U.S. Department of Labor, U.S Department of Commerce etc.
Provides Institute explanatory presentations upon request to audiences representing potential clients, i.e., trade association meetings, professional conferences, etc.
Participates in major trade show events where the Institute is an exhibitor for educating the public, and in particular future potential manufacturing participants of personal protective equipment requiring third party certification.
Monitors product submittals for technical adequacy and completeness and serves as interface between test labs and participants whenever testing results indicate potential problem areas. Grants authorization to laboratory for retesting of product following test failures.
Reviews for technical accuracy and accepts test laboratory reports, evaluates test nonconformances and manufacturers findings from investigations of nonconformances and recommendations for corrective action.
Issues final certification/verification decision based on the review of testing and/or quality audit reports by other competent staff and conducts final review all documentation required for SEI certification and verification.
Oversees and works with staff to identify potential risks to SEI’s impartiality on an ongoing basis. This shall include risks that arise from activities, relationships, or from relationships of SEI personnel.
Mentors/trains staff to develop technical competencies in program areas and completes Competency Determination Checklist to recommend to the President the addition of competencies for staff in accordance with SEI procedures.
Directs the development and maintenance of technical guidance and instruction documentation (manuals, bulletins, etc.) for programs as needed.
Identifies policy and procedure gaps, inefficiencies, resource needs, and bottlenecks, and recommends appropriate improvements.
Conducts initial search activities as directed by the President and/or Committee on Certification Programs (CCP) when selecting new testing laboratories. This activity includes analysis, technical evaluations and recommendations to senior management of the Institute. Conduct laboratory training for any new testing laboratory added as a contract test laboratory.
Receives quality assurance debriefings from auditors on potential problem participants to analyze and recommend course of action to avoid potential problems.
Serves as principal contact point in the certification program where potential product recall may be required. This activity requires careful coordination between staff, the Q. A. Auditor and participants with an emphasis on integrity and impartiality.
Responsible for overseeing an evaluation tool calibration program. This includes the SEI Calibration Procedure and the Out of Calibration Investigation Procedure.
Oversees all ISO/IEC 17065 conformity assessment activities for the Institute to ensure that accreditation is maintained and expanded when necessary.
Direct all Standing Committee on Certification Programs (CCP) activities for the Institute, including (but not limited to) scheduling meeting(s), developing agenda(s) with report(s) and issuing minutes from the resulting CCP meeting(s).
Provides technical oversight and directs staff that manage SEI’s verification program(s) and non-traditional certification program(s).
Leads SEI staff input on database and website application development and oversight.
Provides operational oversight and directs staff that manage SEI’s accounting activities, onboarding new Participants, as well as marketing and outreach activities.