Quality Assurance Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Product Management & Acceptance Section, Program Delivery Division, National Library Services Blind/Print Disabled Directorate, Library Collections and Services Group.

The position description number for this position is 431675. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Knowledge of braille and talking book product software quality assurance (QA) principles, concepts, techniques and methods.** Ability to monitor quality control operations.** Ability to analyze adverse quality trends and conditions.

Ability to interact collaboratively with others and provide consultation and liaison services. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Major Duties:

The incumbent performs inspections on products for delivery of the braille and talking book programs to validate compliance with requirements for accessibility, usability and functionality.

Performs assessments of product test results.

Provides analysis, recommendations, and reports to the product manager as to the acceptability of a product for use in the braille and talking book programs.

Plans, develops, organizes, and administers test procedures for product quality assurance.

Performs product acceptance inspections at all phases of the product life cycle including prototype/proof-of-concept, first articles production, and operations/maintenance.

Initiates or recommends corrective action for quality issues/problems and product defects.

Investigates, validates and confirms issues, problems or defects reported to the product manager by other product testing resources external to the organization.

Negotiates and coordinates complex issues pertaining to the hardware and/or software functionality of products for delivery of the braille and talking book programs.

Reviews technical artifacts, requirements and specifications.

Prepares inspection reports that include such information as requirements traceability matrix, type of deficiencies, requirements that are out of compliance, detailed steps to reproduce issues, trends (favorable and unfavorable), etc.

Is responsible for the life cycle quality of products and services for delivery of the braille and talking book program through incorporation of verification and validation practices into the product development process.

As an expert, manages assessment planning, develops checklists, documents findings and observations, prepares written reports, and performs follow-up activities to assure implementation of corrective actions and process improvements.

Verifies test procedures and test configurations are applicable to the product under test.

Reviews test procedures to assure adequacy for the intended purpose with emphasis on validation of requirements for accessibility and usability by patrons of the braille and talking book programs.

Develops and maintains expert knowledge of established test procedures and assures that all test procedures and associated quality control records are maintained in accordance with the approved methods.

Reviews contractor's quality control plan, technical procedures, and practices to assure adequacy.

Ensures all product requirements imposed by product managers are satisfied, including all inspection and reporting requirements.

Investigates indicators of significant deviations from acceptable product quality levels caused by product or process design, material quality, poor workmanship, poor understanding of accessibility or other significant factors.

Coordinates with technical SMEs and product managers to identify options and develop recommendations.

Establishes a system for corrective actions that ensures prompt action to correct defective products.

Performs integrated and independent examinations to determine quality compliance with stated requirements and process stability and capability.

Plans, performs, and coordinates evaluation efforts utilizing examination techniques, such as data analysis, surveillance, sampling, and audits.

Provides information to contractors for devising new or special test procedures to meet exacting requirements of the work function, such as with research and development programs.

Prepares written technical reports of findings, which are later integrated with engineering data and become principal references for revising design data, quality documents, and quality assurance criteria.

Performs analysis, as necessary, of reject rate and identification of specific quality problems.

Serves as a focal point for continuous improvement efforts in the areas of insight and surveillance of contractor activities.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.