Assistant Manager - Quality Assurance

Overview

***At this time, this position is only accepting internal applicants***

This position is responsible for assisting the Quality Assurance Manager in the oversight, monitoring, and maintenance of the quality assurance program of the I-MCFSA to meet national and international forensic laboratory accreditation requirements. The incumbent will assist with the evaluation and implementation of best practices in forensics and provide technical guidance on the creation of laboratory policy, standard operating procedures, and training programs. Advises, on behalf of the Quality Assurance Manager, Laboratory management and analysts on questions related to accreditation requirements and compliance. Serves in assessing and addressing risks to the quality of testing, reporting, and overall effectiveness of the laboratory. The incumbent will collaborate with the Quality Assurance Manager, regarding internal audits, both comprehensive and targeted, and address any issues that arise. This position plays a key role in reviewing key metrics in the case management system to gauge overall laboratory effectiveness and provide recommendations to leadership. Supporting the administration of proficiency testing, courtroom testimony training and monitoring programs. Upon request, will aid in completing records requests from legal representatives and the public. When faced with situations requiring independent judgment the incumbent will be held to the highest professional and ethical standards by upper management. Position reports to the Quality Assurance Manager.

Agency Summary
The purpose and mission of the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is to serve the Marion County community and supports the needs of the Criminal Justice System by providing services in Crime Scene Processing, Forensic Document Examinations, Latent Print Processing and Examination, Blood Alcohol Analysis, Fire Debris Analysis, Seized Drugs Analysis, Firearms Examinations and NIBIN, DNA and Serology Analysis and Forensic Evidence, Technician (Morgue Liaison) services. The agency cultivates a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County

Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Manages the scheduling, tracking, and documenting of quality assurance functions such as equipment calibrations and checks, manual revisions, training, proficiency testing, and risk assessment-related records. Communicates with vendors, often regarding technical specifications.
• Blind proficiency testing, obtains mock evidence materials, creates tests, enters into laboratory workflow, tracks completion, and assists in the assessment of results.
• Interacts with lab-wide staff to receive information and provide guidance on routine quality matters. Assists with investigating quality issues including risk assessment, root cause analysis, and corrective action in a diplomatic manner.
• Assists with preparation for internal audits and accreditation assessments, as well as aids in the resolution of any resulting nonconformities.
• Assists with monitoring and implementation of national and international best practices and standards published or sponsored by organizations such as ANAB, ISO, FBI (QAS), OSAC (NIST), ASTM, ASB (AAFS), SWGs.
• Serves as the laboratory Safety Manager by managing related policies and procedures, providing safety training, assessing safety risks, performing periodic safety checks, leading the safety committee, providing guidance to staff on safety, and serving as the agency point of contact for any enterprise-wide or other external communications.
• Fulfills quality records requests received from stakeholders.
• Assists with the equipment or method verification/validation process by providing guidance to staff and reviewing documentation.
• Creates and/or updates laboratory forms and procedures.
• Assists with tracking and updating of measurement uncertainty values for quantitative testing by collecting new data and performing complex calculations in accordance with established procedures.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses. Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Forensic Scientist. Must complete specific forensic training as defined by the laboratory, internally or externally in a minimum 6-months and maximum of 48-months. Specific training elements include technical assessing of laboratory accreditation compliance, internal auditing, risk and opportunity assessment, corrective action, root cause analysis, verification and validation of analytical methods, measurement traceability and measurement uncertainty, enhancing forensic decision making (cognitive bias recognition and mitigation), LEAN/Six Sigma, and management/leadership training. May also be required to complete discipline-specific forensic trainings as necessary. Must have knowledge of the criminal justice system and familiarity with the sensitive and confidential nature of evidence managing and examination. Must be able to establish and set priorities according to time sensitive information to have continued success in this position. Must be able to communicate effectively in oral, verbal, and written formats. May require work to be completed during non-business hours on a limited and situational basis.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications
Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses and ANAB Assessor preferred in addition to the minimum qualifications listed.