Laboratory Quality Officer, Aps Level 6, National

**Job no**: 510609

**Employment type**: Non-Ongoing - Specified Term, Ongoing

**Location**: Sydney

**Categories**: APS Level 6, Administration, Evaluation, Audit, Regulation

**About the National Measurement Institute**:
We are the Australian Government’s national authority on measurement. We play an important role in the Australian economy by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia’s measurement system. We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services and administer the regulatory framework for measurement. Our national measurement standards are recognised internationally and we work to enhance and maintain these standards.

We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. We’re committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate, contribute and progress. Our values and behaviours centre on being, adaptable, innovative, accountable, strategic, inclusive and influential.

**About the team**:
The **Chemical and Biological Metrology Branch** provides measurement standards such as certified reference materials. These include pure chemicals, gas standards, matrix materials and DNA standards. The branch also co-ordinates proficiency testing programs to assist laboratories assess their ongoing quality and performance. The branch houses three of Australia’s national testing laboratories for anti-doping, forensic drugs and ultra-trace analysis. The branch delivers services across all of these fields and carries out research and development to enhance our capabilities in line with national and international requirements.

This role will provide assistance to the branch in a quality officer capacity and will be shared between the Ultra-Trace and Bioanalysis Laboratories. The position will attendance at our North Ryde and Lindfield sites, NSW and will report to both laboratory managers.

To be successful in this role, you will have a technical background with experience in analytical chemistry. You will also have worked in an organisation with an accredited quality system. You will have a strong customer focus and the drive and initiative to work with technical teams on quality improvements. Key attributes include:

- Significant knowledge and experience with the requirements of quality system accreditation standards (particularly ISO/IEC 17025 & 17034).
- Experience responding to corrective actions
- Experience in developing laboratory and process solutions to resolve quality non-conformances.
- Experience undertaking investigation and root cause analysis, to prevent reoccurrence of quality issues and provision of related training and guidance.
- Demonstrated self-motivation and organisational skills, combined with the ability to work collaboratively in a team.
- The ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with management as well as operational staff.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly for technical writing.
- Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment and common sense whilst working under very broad direction.
- Experience transferring laboratory processes from paper based to digital processes.

**What you will do**:

- Supporting the laboratory manager via involvement in investigations related to corrective actions and implementation of improved processes to prevent reoccurrence of quality non-conformances.
- Implementing quality system improvements consistent with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and 17034:2018, including updates to SOPs and quality manuals.
- Preparing for and responding to NATA audits, including working on validation of methods and data sets.
- Increasing utilisation of the NMI quality system database to better monitor aspects related to suppliers, service contracts, maintenance etc.
- Working on the implementation of process improvements to increase automation of aspects such as control charts, calibration schedules and chemical standards.
- Working to transform existing paper based laboratory processes to digital processes, for

**Eligibility**:
You require tertiary qualifications in Science, preferably chemistry, or relevant experience in the field of analytical chemistry.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, applicants must be Australian Citizens.

**Other Requirements**:
Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus and Q-Fever may be required for this position.

**Security Clearance**:
This position requires a Baseline security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

**Notes**:
This position is non-ongoing for an initial period of 18 months, with possibility of extension.

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies for 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Gazette.

**How to apply**:
**Contact information**:
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