Quality Assurance Specialist

A GS-1910-9, QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST:

• Develops the AASF Quality Management Plan (QMP) that documents the management and operational policies and procedures to ensure work processes, products, or services satisfy expectations and quality standards. Reviews Army materiel maintenance policies and operational procedures. Assesses quality assurance programs of other Department of Defense (DoD) services, and analyzes commercial maintenance practices to establish a comprehensive Quality Program (QP) for the AASF.
• Serves as quality assurance authority in the AASF. Acts as a consultant to higher-ranking personnel on quality assurance/verification matters. Provides the Logistics Management Officer/Supervisory Maintenance Test Pilot and maintenance supervisors with definitive technical information and advice on maintenance procedures and techniques. Resolves technical problems in support of the quality assurance program.
• Maintains the AASF master library. Manages technical publications accounts. Ensures that appropriate directives and operating instructions are current and complete. Reviews incoming publications to determine their applicability. Provides technical guidance and expertise in interpretation of technical manuals (TM), and acts as the authoritative reference on quality methods, techniques, and procedures. Resolves conflicts in the interpretation of published data.
• Monitors the AASF publication improvement system to include the recommended changes to publications and blank forms (DA Form 2028) and material deficiency, and Quality Deficiency Reports (QDR). Provides findings and recommendations based on experience and technical judgment.
• Manages the Safety-of-Flight (SOF) and Aviation Safety Action Message (ASAM) programs to ensure effective and timely accomplishment. Reviews incoming SOF/ASAM for applicability to AASF supported equipment. Evaluates technical and materiel requirements for compliance. Distributes SOF/ASAM to production elements for accomplishment. Monitors compliance actions and prepares and forwards compliance reports.
• Monitors aircraft acceptance/transfer inspections, aircraft configurations, and component time-change requirements. Periodically reviews aircraft historical records and logbooks for accuracy and condition. Monitors the Army Oil Analysis Program (AOAP).
• Manages the weight and balance program. Performs equipment inventories; assures proper set up and calibration of electronic weighing apparatus; monitors aircraft weighing operations; verifies instrument readings, resolves weight and balance problems, and certifies weight and balance computations.
• Performs command directed quality inspections and special inspections for all aspects of aircraft and associated equipment. Insures that compliance inspections are performed in accordance with standards. Records discrepancies, provides definitive corrective recommendations, and reviews adequacy of corrective action taken. Reviews findings to determine adequacy of maintenance documentation.
• Performs inspections of maintenance shops for safety and condition of equipment. Monitors calibration of shop and test equipment to ensure serviceability. Certifies and maintains files of personnel authorized to perform quality inspections.
• Performs management and compliance reviews over a wide range of functions within the AASF. Reports deviations and deficiencies. Prepares recommendations on the resolution of deficiencies affecting production or maintenance quality. Reviews and validates all locally developed maintenance procedures before adoption within the AASF.
• Investigates equipment failure trends on aircraft airframes and components and systems. Makes recommendations to appropriate manufacturing agencies regarding equipment performance engineering design changes.
• Incumbent is required to wear appropriate protective clothing or gear such as safety glasses, ear protection, and hard-hat, and observe all safety precautions when accomplishing inspections.
• Conducts formal training of quality assurance and quality compliance principles, procedures, techniques, and skills. Provides initial training for the certification of status symbol clearing authority. Provides refresher training for the maintenance of AASF quality standards.
• Reviews and evaluates quality compliance inspections performed by production units. Audits the inspection process and methods, analyzes inspection reports, and re-inspects samples of inspections performed. Provides on-the-spot assistance regarding the inspection process. Recommends corrective actions or changes in inspection methods and work procedures
• Serves as the primary point of contact (POC) to, and provides liaison services between, the AASF and external organizations regarding QA matters. Attends conferences, briefings, and meetings to represent AASF on quality assurance matters.
• Other duties as assigned.(temporary, minor, or incidental tasks)

Conditions of employment

MILITARY REQUIREMENTS:

Military Grades: E5 - E9

Desired Military Assignments:

- Applicants need not be assigned to the position or possess the MOS to apply or be considered for selection. Selected applicant must be assigned to a compatible Military position and attain MOS within 1 year of appointment action.

- May be required to successfully complete a trial period.

- Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

- All soldiers, civilian employees, and contractor employees who drive Army-owned or leased vehicles must complete the Army Avoidance Course (AAC) training when they start working for the Army. Must have a valid Washington state and military driver's license. Must be able to obtain a Government Travel Card (GTC) and be able to attend all schools deemed necessary by the supervisor.

- Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.

- Must maintain membership in the WA Army National Guard for continued employment.

- Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.

- This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.

- Position requires ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.

- May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.

- The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

• Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions;
• Plan and organize work; and
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Must have at least 24 months experience includes experience, education, or training, involving principles, techniques, and accepted practices of quality assurance work (i.e., the application of statistical sampling techniques sufficient to perform assignments or preparation of technical reports on quality levels to identify specific problems). Experience in the application and theory of specialization using applicable publications. Experience in the preparation of technical reports on quality levels to identify specific problem areas and to recommend corrective action. Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge in monitoring, controlling, or maintaining the quality of products or services in quality assurance, procurement, inspection, production, or related areas. Examples include:

• Reviewing production activities and capabilities in light of contract quality requirements.
• Reviewing written quality or inspection procedures for adequacy, and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of quality/inspection systems, including sampling plans.
• Analyzing quality data to detect unsatisfactory trends or weaknesses in the quality/inspection system.
• Verifying by test or inspection, using sampling inspection or intensive product inspection techniques, that products comply with requirements prior to acceptance.
• Identifying inadequacies and requesting corrective action.
• Computing data, summarizing results, and preparing reports or charts depicting pertinent relationships using statistical methods.
• Investigating customer complaints and deficiency reports, and providing identification of causes to appropriate authorities.
• Reading, interpreting, and applying technical data such as blueprints, engineering drawings, product specifications, or technical manuals.
• Reviewing and evaluating supply systems operations and procedures through periodic audits and surveillance inspections.

OR

1-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade.


***Note: To qualify under the one-year Specialized Experience (SE) provision (when stated in the SE section), you must provide either:
Two SF-50s (or equivalent) showing you were in the same occupational series at the next lower grade for at least one full year. The two SF-50s must span that full one-year period, from the older SF-50 to the newer SF-50 and reflect employment with the same federal agency.
-or-
One SF-50 (or equivalent) if your resume shows at least one year of continuous employment in the position reflected on the SF-50 (or equivalent).