Quality Assurance Coordinator - MEL (Chemist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Quality Assurance Coordinator - MEL (Chemist 4) within the Environmental Assessment Program.

Location:

• Manchester Environmental Laboratory in Port Orchard, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of three days per week is required in the office. During the first 90-day training period, this position will be in the office 5 days per week.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by April 26, 2026.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

In this role as the Quality Assurance Coordinator at the Manchester Environmental Laboratory, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all laboratory data is accurate, reliable, and scientifically defensible while supporting Ecology’s mission to protect Washington’s environment. You will lead the development and continuous improvement of the lab’s regulatory-compliant Quality Management System, manage internal and external audits, including corrective and preventive actions, and guides staff on quality standards and best practices. This role is particularly interesting for job seekers who enjoy complex, multidisciplinary scientific work, as it provides unique experience in accreditation, method validation, data integrity, and cross-agency collaboration. In this role you will have opportunities for professional growth as you will function as the lab’s quality authority, build leadership skills through technical guidance and coordination, and contribute directly to high-impact environmental decision-making.

What you will do:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the laboratory’s regulatory-compliant Quality Management System. Ensure all processes meet regulatory requirements for accreditation.
• Manage document control for the Quality Assurance Manual, SOPs, controlled forms, and all quality system records. Ensure documents are current, accurate, and properly maintained.
• Coordinate internal audits and ensure that findings are documented, communicated, and resolved in a timely manner. Track corrective actions and verify their effectiveness.
• Prepare for and support external accreditation assessments conducted by the Laboratory Accreditation Unit and other accrediting bodies. Maintain all required accreditation documentation and renewal applications.
• Manage the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) program, including root-cause analysis and follow-up. Ensure implementation of appropriate corrective actions to maintain data integrity.
• Administer the proficiency testing (PT) program, including enrollment, evaluation of results, and documentation of required follow-up actions. Ensure PT results meet accreditation standards.
• Review QA/QC data, method validation documentation, and analytical reports to ensure accuracy, defensibility, and compliance with regulatory and method requirements. Provide guidance to staff on quality expectations and best practices.
• Collaborate with project officers and contract laboratories to ensure Scopes of Work and conduct data validation of external laboratory data align with data quality objectives. Provide technical assistance to ensure data meet program and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience performing chemical analysis of environmental samples following EPA and/or Standard Method analytical techniques in an environmental laboratory. 

Experience must include all of the following:

Leadership Experience: One year or more of experience leading or supervising professional chemists.

Quality System and Process Management: Ability to lead, maintain, and continuously improve quality systems, including method validation, performance monitoring, and equipment calibration, to ensure scientifically sound and consistent operations.

Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance: Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements, coordinate internal and external audits, and ensure ongoing compliance and program approval.

Corrective Action, Problem-Solving, and Continuous Improvement: Ability to identify root causes, implement effective corrective actions, and verify results to prevent recurrence and strengthen processes.

Data Integrity and Technical Review: Ability to review technical documents, reports, and data for accuracy, completeness, and defensibility.

Program, Workload, and Resource Management: Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities, deadlines, and resources while maintaining high-quality outcomes.

Communication, Collaboration, and Technical Guidance: Ability to communicate clearly, provide instruction, build productive working relationships, and support staff and partners in meeting quality standards.

Education must include a major in chemistry, environmental science, microbiology, or a related scientific field with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry

Examples of how to qualify:

• 10 years of experience.
• 9 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 8 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 7 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Required to obtain federal security clearance and maintain security clearance during their employment at the Department of Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL).

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience managing or implementing an ISO/IEC 17025 and WAC compliant Quality Management System.

• Experience conducting internal audits, managing corrective actions, or coordinating accreditation activities.

• Experience with data validation, method development, or technical review of analytical data.

• Experience in a multi-discipline environmental laboratory.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Robert Waldrop at Robert.Waldrop@ecy.wa.gov 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Environmental Assessment Program

Program Mission Statement: The mission of the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is to measure, assess and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State.  EAP’s vision is improving the environment for current and future generations through innovative and excellent science and thriving partnerships. Commitments include: professional, respectful, responsive, timely, innovative, exceptional customer service, partnerships, cooperative relationships, and continuous improvement.

The Department of Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) is the state’s primary environmental laboratory, providing high-quality, scientifically defensible data that support Washington’s environmental protection, regulatory enforcement, and natural resource management efforts. Through rigorous analytical work and a comprehensive Quality Management System, MEL ensures that Ecology and partner agencies have reliable information to assess environmental conditions, guide policy decisions, and safeguard public and ecological health.

Located in Manchester, Washington, near Port Orchard on the Olympic Peninsula, the Department of Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) operates within a federal facility shared with the EPA Region 10 Environmental Laboratory. This co-location supports strong collaboration between state and federal scientists, enhances access to high-quality laboratory resources, and helps ensure that Washington receives scientifically robust data to guide environmental protection and regulatory decision-making. Employees must obtain federal security clearance and maintain their security clearance during their employment at the Department of Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL).

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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