Collaborate. Innovate. Elevate Quality.  Join Us as a Quality Assurance Officer at DCLS!

Are you passionate about quality, compliance, and continuous improvement? Join our team and play a critical role in shaping a world-class Quality Management System that ensures accuracy and reliability in laboratory operations.

Title: Senior Scientist (Quality Assurance Officer) – CL441 & CL477 

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $69,000 - $83,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: DCLS

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is seeking two qualified candidates to serve as Quality Assurance Officers in the Quality Assurance & Safety Group for the Commonwealth's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually. Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply environment and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency response groups; the Consolidated Laboratory also directs Commonwealth’s environmental laboratory accreditation program.

The Quality Assurance team ensures excellence at DCLS through a continuous cycle of monitoring, evaluation, and improvement. We establish and implement systematic processes that consistently assess and enhance the quality of services provided, supporting the highest standards across the organization.

The Quality Assurance Officer works across teams to implement a consistent, proactive approach for monitoring, assessing, and improving service quality throughout DCLS.

 Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain a Quality Management System (QMS) for compliance with CLIA, ISO17025:2017 and 2016 TNI regulations.
• Review and revise QMS Manual and quality SOPs.
• Use internal audit findings and recommendations to provide annual trend analysis report.  
• Review method verification/validation proposals.
• Provide guidance to managers and staff on quality processes, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Lead internal audits and prepare reports.
• Prepare laboratory groups for external audits and inspections.
• Provide training and support to staff on quality assurance topics and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Requirements:

• Laboratory knowledge and expertise with chemistry, microbiology and/or molecular biology, and quality assurance methods, principles and practices.
• A detailed understanding of quality assurance concepts.
• Experience in improving and maintaining a laboratory quality management system.
• Experience interpreting laboratory quality assurance (QA) data and forecasting future needs.
• Experience writing, editing, and/or revising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), job aids and policies.
• Experience of computer applications, LIMS and document management systems.
• Demonstrated ability working as an effective lead worker.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer support.  
• Ability to plan, organize, and schedule work.

This position is in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site.

DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre-tax spending accounts, paid life insurance, paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching. Additionally, supplemental bus passes, ride share, or parking are available, and DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.

The selected candidate must also pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Additional Considerations:

• Knowledge of TNI, ISO17025, and CLIA regulations.
• Experience providing training on quality topics.
• Experience working or supporting quality assurance in a TNI or another accredited laboratory.
• Experience performing internal audits on analytical test methods(chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, and/or genomic sequencing) to assess compliance with TNI, ISO17025, and CLIA or other regulations and quality systems.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting corrective actions and performing root cause analysis

Special Instructions

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. Please be sure that all your relevant qualifications and considerations are specifically addressed in your submitted application. Online applications should be submitted via jobs.virginia.gov.

Fax, e-mail, or mail applications will not be accepted. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application has been successfully submitted. Applications will continue to be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received, but this position may be closed at any time after February 9, 2026. 

Please refer to the “Your Application” page in your account to check the status of your application for this position. Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.

Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire. DGS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer. In order to comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogen requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine.

DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel. This designation requires DCLS employees to report to the workplace or at an assigned remote location during state authorized closings or delays (i.e., weather-related closures/delays, holidays, etc.), unless otherwise instructed by management.

Due to the critical nature of the work performed by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and the requirements and responsibilities placed upon DCLS by the Drug Free Workplace Act, Federal Select Agent Program, and DHRM Policy 1.05 Alcohol and other Drugs, it is the policy of DCLS to maintain a workplace that is free from the harmful effects of alcohol or other drugs. The unlawful or unauthorized use of drugs by DCLS employees while at work adversely impacts DCLS’s ability to perform high quality analytical testing services and support for local, state and federal agencies that serve to protect the health, safety and security of the public. As such, DCLS strictly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, prohibits employees from possessing or using alcohol, marijuana or any controlled substances (including, but not limited to prescription drugs) while in state owned vehicles, in the workplace or on DCLS premises, or when performing official work duties.   

Applicants that indicate they have preferential hiring rights in the form of a yellow form or blue card must submit these to our office prior to the closing of the posting, in accordance with DHRM policy 1.30. Please note that only current and former employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia that will be or have been laid off are eligible for preferential hiring rights.

The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer and a proud Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified employer. Individuals from minoritized groups, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information
Name: DGS Human Resources
Phone: 804-786-3910
Email: jobs@dgs.virginia.gov

Contact Information

Name: DGS Human Resources

Phone: 804-786-3910

Email: jobs@dgs.virginia.gov

 In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.