Initial Posting Date:

08/12/2025

Application Deadline:

08/24/2025

Agency:

Department of Agriculture

Salary Range:

$6,123 - $9,409

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Natural Resource Specialist 4 (Quality Assurance Officer)

Job Description:

Do you have prior laboratory experience and a science background? Are you a detail-oriented, self-directed problem solver? If this sounds like you, come join our Laboratory Services team! We are hiring for a Natural Resource Specialist 4 (Quality Assurance Officer) is a permanent full-time position, is based in Wilsonville, Oregon.

What you’ll be doing

• Participates as lead for the laboratory Quality Assurance Team in ensuring quality management system is adhered to.

• Plans, implements and maintains the Quality Management System (QMS) to accreditation and certification requirements, including but limited to:

-Quality control assessment

-Monitors Demonstrations of Capability (DOC) for analytical methods

-Reviews method validation documentation

-Periodically reviews analytical data packages against the QMS and technical SOP.

-Identifies and tracks non-conformance reports and corrective actions

• Maintains training records and assures mechanism for documenting such.

• Coordinates and maintains proficiency test (PT), round robin and panel sample schedule, assesses performance on these results to assure meet accreditation/certification requirements, and submits appropriate results to certification/accreditation bodies.

• Administers Ideagen document management system to ensure most current authorized documents are in use and old documents archived.

• Applies data analytics to assessing data quality, method validations, verification and extensions.

• Authorizes method validations.

• Reviews records (e.g. CAR, control charts, PT results, audit findings) for trends and communicates issues with QA team and laboratory management to identify improvements to maintaining data quality.

• And so much more…..

For a complete list of duties for this position click here to view the full position description.

Learn more about the Oregon Department of Agriculture:

At ODA, employees work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with ensuring healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in ODA’s core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Learn more about what we do here!

Minimum qualifications:

Three years of experience in Natural Resources. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND
A bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
A master's degree in Natural Resources will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
A Doctorate degree in Natural Resources will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Requested Skills:

Beyond the minimum qualifications listed above we’re also looking for the following knowledge, skills, and abilities in applicants. You do not need to have all qualities listed below to qualify. Please ensure the skills you do have are listed in your application.

• Experience in developing and maintaining a Quality Management System for a multi-disciplined laboratory (microbiology, chemistry)

• Analytical lab experience with varied matrices/analytes/instrumentation:

• Vegetation, Soil, Shellfish, Fertilizers, Foods, Animal blood/serum, Cannabis, cannabis products, etc. – heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, solvents, cannabinoids, elements, pathogens, plating, serology, PSP, etc.

• Instrumentation LC-QQQ, GC-QQQ, GC-MS with head space analyzer, LC with various detectors, ICP-MS, Spectrometers, PCR, Vitek, ELISA, etc.

• Demonstrated problem solving skills -analytical method validations, analytical method problems resolved, risk identification, etc.

• Able to use and apply Statistical tools to assess data for quality, trends, improving processes

• Experienced with ISO17025 and TNI

• Led scope expansion by technology

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills-risk identification, root cause analysis, proactive approaches

• Individual is organized, detail oriented, communicates well, works well in a team and individually, self-motivated, proactive and collaborative.

Projected Recruitment Timeline

• Recruitment Closes: August 24, 2025

• 1st Round Interview may start: September 8, 2025

• 2nd Round if needed may start: TBA

How to apply:

A resume is required to move to the next stage of consideration for this position.

• Ensure your application shows your relevant work experience and/or related education; this may be in the form of a filled-out application and/or through an attached resume.

• Upon submitting your application, please be sure to check your Workday account for additional tasks to complete such as questionnaires and to request veteran’s preferences (if applicable).

What’s in it for you

The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package including comprehensive medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and, 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), deferred compensation, and the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board.

Additional Information:

• This position is represented by SEIU.

• Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.

• Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, an equal pay analysis will be conducted to determine the compensation of the successful candidate. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.

• United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Department of Agriculture does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification.

This recruitment may be used to fill current and future Permanent, Limited Duration, Job Rotation and Temporary vacancies as they occur.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need an accommodation for the recruitment process, please email to: oda.recruitment@oda.oregon.gov or call 503-986-4584.