Laboratory Quality Officer, Science

• Sydney
• Applications close 22 September
• The salary range for this role is $98,716 - $108,398

About the Department
The Department Of Industry, Science And Resources And Our Broader Portfolio Are Integral To The Australian Government's Economic Agenda. Our Purpose Is To Help The Government Build a Better Future For All Australians Through Enabling a Productive, Resilient And Sustainable Economy, Enriched By Science And Technology. We Do This By

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people's lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia's future.

Please see the

About The Team
The department plays a key role in the Australian Government's agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia's existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. The success of the department helps Australia recover from the economic consequences of COVID?19 and adapt to its ongoing effects. Through our work, we support the government's economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians.

The
National Measurement Institute (NMI)
is the Australian Government's national measurement authority. We play an important role in the Australian economy. NMI does this by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia's measurement system.

We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services. NMI also administers the regulatory framework for measurement. Our national measurement standards are internationally recognised. We work to enhance and maintain these standards.

We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. NMI provides all employees with learning and development opportunities. We work to give everyone an equal opportunity to contribute and progress.

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.

The NMI Quality, Safety and Risk Team works alongside technical and scientific personnel, supporting them to manage a diverse array of safety hazards and risks to deliver metrological services to Australian industry. The group is also responsible for continuous improvement and maintenance of the NMI Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Management System and the provision of a safe working environment.

This role will be shared between the Ultra-Trace Laboratory (AUTL), reporting to the laboratory manager at our North Ryde site, and the safety team at our Lindfield site reporting to the National Safety Manager. A schedule of three days with AUTL and two with the Safety team will be established.

The opportunity
As the
Laboratory Quality Officer
of AUTL you will form part of the cohort of quality officers related to the chemical and biological analytical measurement services offered by the NMI.

As a
Site Safety Coordinator
, you will form part of the cohort of safety officers across NMI sites. The role will work closely with the safety coordinators for our North Ryde, NSW, Port Melbourne, VIC and regional sites.

What's in it for you?
Benefits
Working at NMI means you are joining one of the world leaders in measurement science. NMI has a diverse range of roles and priorities that will enable you to learn new skills and expand your career in interesting and exciting ways. As part of the department, employees at NMI are covered by the relevant enterprise agreement and benefits include:

• 15.4% employer superannuation contribution
• 4 weeks annual leave per year
• 18 days paid personal leave per year
• maternity and paternity leave
• a vacation care subsidy
• $235 healthy lifestyle subsidy
• flexible working arrangements such as teleworking, part time and job sharing where possible
• salary packaging which allows you to make certain payments using your pre-tax salary
• access to study assistance
• access to staff counselling services.

Our ideal candidate
Role
To be successful in this role, you will have a technical background with experience in analytical chemistry. Prior experience working in an organisation with established quality and safety management systems and certifications in Work Health and Safety are highly desirable for the role. You will have a strong customer focus and the drive and initiative to work with technical teams on quality and safety improvements. Key attributes include:

• Demonstrated experience implementing laboratory quality systems (particularly accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 & 17034), and/or safety systems (with knowledge and understanding of WHS Management systems, relevant legislation, codes of practice and standards).
• Experience identifying and implementing corrective actions, developing process solutions and continuous improvements related to quality and safety.
• Experience investigating quality and/or safety issues to identify underlying causes and implementing actions to mitigate their recurrence.
• Experience in internal auditing, preferably as a lead auditor.
• Demonstrated self-motivation and organisational skills, combined with the ability to work collaboratively in a team and develop and maintain strong, professional working relationships at all levels within the organisation. Excellent communication skills, particularly for technical writing.
• Well-developed analytical problem-solving skills demonstrated consultation skills and ability to communicate with influence, both verbally and in writing. Ability to exercise sound judgment and common sense whilst working under very broad direction.
• Experience in document management and transferring laboratory processes from paper based to digital processes.

Ideal candidates will have personal drive and integrity in the context of the APS values, NMI values (Inclusive, Innovative, Accountable, Adaptable, Influential and Strategic) and code of conduct.

Our department has a commitment to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of being the best possible place to work. This reflects the importance we place on our people and on creating a workplace culture where each and every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. Our ideal candidate adds to this culture and our workplace in their own way.
What you will do
Responsibilities
Work for 60% of your time within the Australian Ultra-Trace Laboratory in a quality officer capacity while maintaining close liaison with the North Ryde site quality coordinator. Key responsibilities include:

• Support the laboratory manager via management of investigations related to corrective actions and implementation of improved processes to prevent reoccurrence of quality non-conformances.
• Implement quality system improvements consistent with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and 17034:2018, including updates to SOPs and quality manuals. Manage document control of the section.
• Prepare for and responding to NATA audits, including working on validation of methods and data sets.
• 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 example in relation to training records.

The remaining 40% of your time will be in a leadership role as Safety Coordinator, contributing to the safety of the physical and engineering measurement services offered by the NMI. You will work in consultation with the Quality and Safety team, General Managers for Physical and Legal Metrology plus have regular contact with laboratory managers.

The Key Responsibilities Include

• Contribute to the maintenance and implementation of the WHS management systems at the site to facilitate the provision of a safe working environment.
• Act as the central point of reference for site safety matters, providing leadership on resolving safety issues.
• Contribute to the site safety internal audit and inspection programs to verify the implementation and conformance of the WHS management system.
• Assist in the investigation and resolution of WHS incidents and hazards at the site.
• Assist in the investigation and resolution of safety related non-conformances at the site.
• Contribute to the maintenance and continuous improvement of NMI's overarching WHS system in collaboration with the NMI Quality, Safety and Risk team.
• Draft and review WHS documentation and maintain safety related records.

Eligibility
You require tertiary qualifications in Science, relevant experience in the field of laboratory quality, and/or certifications in Work Health and Safety.

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

Positions require a Baseline security clearance, and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes
A vaccination for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Q-Fever or serology immunity testing is recommended for this role and may be provided.

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is based in North Ryde and Lindfield, with a schedule to be set for attendance at each site. Travel to some of the other state capitals may be required periodically. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Application information
Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact

Please refer to our

Contact Information
For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Gavin Stevenson on or via email on