Quality Assurance Specialist

Become a Quality Assurance Specialist with the Department of General Services and help ensure the integrity and effectiveness of goods and services that support programs, projects, and progress across the Commonwealth. This work with our Strategic Support and Audit Division involves researching and developing specifications, monitoring and conducting on-site inspections of goods and services, and reviewing procurement activities to ensure compliance with the specifications, standards, and policy requirements. Apply now and advance your career as part of a team that helps government agencies provide exceptional value for all people in Pennsylvania! 

This position verifies quality assurance and compliance for statewide procurement of goods and services. We will also rely on you to help implement effective solutions, support green and sustainable initiatives, and remain up-to-date with current technologies. As a Quality Assurance Specialist, you will perform the following duties: 

• Quality Review: Conduct on-site inspections and review plans, specifications, and test data to ensure goods and services comply with standards, specifications, and legal requirements
• Procurement Research: Utilize market research, price indexes, subject matter experts, reports, and data analysis tools to identify fair market value pricing, gaps or risks, and effective alternatives
• Specification Development: Create procurement and bid specifications that meet customer needs, support competitive bidding, and ensure compliance with Commonwealth requirements
• Project Communication: Prepare reports and present ideas, recommendations, and solutions to agencies and commodity teams
• Collaborative Oversight: Work with procurement and program staff, laboratory and manufacturing representatives, and suppliers to monitor quality, support corrective actions, and follow through with opportunities for improvement
• Data Management: Monitor UNSPSC (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code) information to ensure consistency

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description. 

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to three days per week, after successful completion of the initial training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. 
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of supplier management experience including supplier quality audits, root cause analysis, commodity evaluations, defining procurement requirements and standards, or supply chain management; and a bachelor's degree; or 
• Six years of supplier management experience including supplier quality audits, root cause analysis, commodity evaluations, defining procurement requirements and standards, or supply chain management; or 
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which included supplier quality audits, root cause analysis, commodity evaluations, defining procurement requirements and standards, or supply chain management..

Additional Requirements:

• You must have two or more years of experience working in procurement or a closely related field that requires you to understand procurement processes, rules, systems, supplier relations, or policy requirements.
• You must have two or more years of experience developing, reviewing, or revising procurement specifications, statements of work, technical requirements, or commercial item descriptions to support competitive procurements.
• You must have two or more years of experience conducting market research, evaluating pricing information, analyzing price indexes or wage data, or determining fair market value for goods or services.
• You must have two or more years of experience reviewing technical specifications, laboratory reports, quality standards, or compliance documentation to determine whether goods or services met established requirements.
• You must have two or more years of experience preparing technical reports, documenting findings, and providing written recommendations to management or customers based on research or quality assurance reviews.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualification (not required):

• Experience developing, conducting, or overseeing audits, quality assurance reviews, or process improvement initiatives

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans: 

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.