CDA-Senior Quality Assurance Analyst (Physical Scientist III)
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CDA-Senior Quality Assurance Analyst (Physical Scientist III)
Salary
$88,104.00 - $105,720.00 Annually
Location
Broomfield County, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
BAA-000094-01062026
Department
Department of Agriculture
Division
Laboratory Services Division
Opening Date
01/07/2026
Closing Date
1/16/2026 4:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
300 S Technology Ct, Broomfield, CO 80021, USA
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Department Contact Information
P 303.869.9014 I C 720.653.4267 I F 303.466.2867 305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield, CO 80021 nicholas.kaiser@state.co.us I www.colorado.gov/ag
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
Who we are:
Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.
Mission:
The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.
Core Values: Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect
CDA Wildly Important Goals:
To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four "wildly important goals:"
Goal 1: Advancing Local Food Access
Goal 2: Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture
Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
Goal 4: Advancing Animal Health and Welfare
We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website (https://ag.colorado.gov/home/about-us) .
What you get from us:
In addition to a great work location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan (https://www.copera.org/) plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans (www.copera.org)
Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
BenefitHub (https://stateofcolorado.benefithub.com/app/multiproduct) state employee discount program
Employee Wellness program State of Health
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!
To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi .
Description of Job
Organizational Purpose:
This work unit exists to perform laboratory services for the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) regulatory programs and for external customers. The purpose for this unit is to conduct timely, and legally defensible chemical, microbiological and instrumental analysis of samples related to animal food, animal health, pesticides, soil, fertilizer, ground and surface water, industrial hemp and marijuana. The samples are analyzed for a variety of constituents including, but not limited to vitamins, antibiotics, drugs, additives, adulterants, toxins, agents, protein, minerals, metals, nutrients, inorganics, anions, biological organisms, THC, pesticide residues and formulations.
Major Objectives of the Position:
Biochemistry Laboratory (BCL), ensuring continuous and rigorous compliance with national and international standards, most notably ISO/IEC 17025, which is essential for maintaining the laboratory's accreditation. The role involves providing laboratory information system support; conducting internal audits and surveillances; offering expert technical consultation on quality control, method validation/verification, and measurement uncertainty; overseeing staff training and competency; administering the proficiency testing program; and performing intermediate reviews and approvals of all critical quality-related documents, data, test results, corrections, and quality events.
Primary Duties:
Duty: Quality System Administration & Compliance
Brief Duty Description:
This duty involves the coordination and administration of the overall Quality Assurance Program (Quality System), with a primary focus on the Biochemistry Laboratory (BCL), and includes participating in quality activities across other Division laboratory units.
This role is responsible for ensuring continuous compliance with a complex and evolving regulatory framework, requiring maintained knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements; applicable Federal and State regulations; quality mandates from Federal and State grant programs; principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP); requirements set by 3rd party accrediting bodies (e.g., A2LA); AOAC quality requirements; and various model regulatory programs (e.g., AAFCO, AAPFCO).
The position implements these required quality elements in close consultation with laboratory operations management and proactively recommends changes to the Quality System to effectively maintain compliance with updated or evolving standards.
Duty: Policy/SOP's & Document Control Procedures
Brief Duty Description:
Develop, write, edit, and facilitate implementation of BCL-wide policies, manuals, standard operating procedures, and work instructions. Design and facilitate implementation of document and records control processes. Administer the laboratory's Document Control procedures.
Duty: Quality Control and Corrective Action
Brief Duty Description:
This position reviews, examines, inspect, and/or evaluates complex scientific and technical data generated from analytical testing activities and research projects. Identify any quality control failures or related deficiencies and assist BCL staff in planning and implementing corrections or corrective actions to address the problems. Monitor corrective actions for effectiveness and close out when satisfactorily completed.
Duty: Internal Audits
Brief Duty Description:
This position performs BCL technical and scientific internal audits and surveillances of laboratory activities to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, manuals, program requirements, customer requirements, and/or ISO 17025 accreditation requirements and other regulatory requirements. The position also oversees internal audits conducted by others and ensures that the audit conduct and reporting meets internal and external standards and requirements. This position may assist with internal audits with other laboratory units within the Division as needed. Additionally, this position provides a full report of all audit findings and suggests improvements to address any deficiencies, risks, or other issues identified during the audits.
Duty: Proficiency Testing Program:
Brief Duty Description:
Receive and compile, and track BCL proficiency testing results. Issue and monitor quality corrective actions for any failing results. Assist staff in investigating failures and plan corrective actions.
Duty: Equipment Calibration
Brief Duty Description:
This position coordinates BCL calibration of devices such as weight sets, thermometers, pipettes, dispensers, balances, timers, etc. with external calibration firms.
Duty: Other Duties
Brief Duty Description:
This position supports operation and maintenance of the BCL Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Position functions as the primary liaison with the laboratory's LIMS provider.
Prepare written reports, summaries, or data compilations on laboratory activities at the request of the Laboratory Manager, Laboratory Operations Management Team, DLS Division Director, or the Commissioner's Office.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
You must be a Colorado Resident at the time of application in order to apply
**This Position is in-person at the listed location and is ineligible for remote work
This position is advertised in line with the Governor's executive order focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training, or past experiences.
Salary:
BIWEEKLY
$3,388.62 - $4,066.15
ANNUALLY
$88,104.00 - $105,720.00
Minimum Qualification:Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:
Six (6) years of relevant professional QA/QC experience in a regulated laboratory.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education in Biochemical or Microbiology and/or relevant experience in laboratory setting working with quality assurance equal to Six (6) years
Preferred Qualifications:
10 years of professional QA/QC experience, specifically within an ISO 17025 accredited environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, specifically relating to management requirements and technical competence.
Prior experience leading or coordinating an external assessment by an accrediting body (e.g., A2LA, ANAB, etc).
Certification as a quality professional (CQA, CQE, CQM, CQT, etc.) Will be required to obtain it within 12 months of hire.
At least two (2) years of experience specifically focused on quality leadership (QA/QC), including experience with risk analysis, root cause analysis, and the implementation of corrective/preventative actions.
Proven experience in drafting, reviewing, and approving Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical validation reports.
Experience using laboratory, records management, and data management software (e.g., LIMS systems, SharePoint, NWA control charting and similar systems).
Experience mentoring junior staff and managing Proficiency Testing (PT) programs across multiple disciplines.
Experience identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks to laboratory impartiality and operational validity.
Experience calculating Measurement Uncertainty (MU) and establishing metrological traceability.
Previous experience in bench chemistry or microbiology working with complex instrumentation (e.g., HPLC MS/MS, QTOF, ICP-OES, PCR, etc.)
Conditions of Employment:
Must be a resident of the state of Colorado.
Must be willing to work outside of normal business hours
Required Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):
Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
Unwavering commitment to laboratory impartiality and the ability to identify potential conflicts of interest.
Ability to perform risk-based assessments of laboratory processes to prevent non-conforming work.
Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable guidance for bench scientists and non-scientific stakeholders.
Superior attention to detail required to maintain the "Quality Pyramid".
Able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.
Work well under pressure.
Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.
Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.
Important Information:
Part of, or the entire selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.
Please submit the following:
Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link:PDF State Paper Application (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Colorado%20Paper%20Application%20%28February%202020%29.pdf) . Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to mary.hunt@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
DD214 (if applicable)
Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)
Factors that will be assessed:
Technical Competence - Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
Depth and Breadth of Experience - Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
Job Fit - Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.
APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ( dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us ), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
Important Information:
Part of, or the entire exam for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application material. Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received. Therefore, it is very important that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself . Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.
All applications that are received by the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement by a Human Resources Specialist. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
ADAAA Accommodations:Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and @type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.
The Department of Agriculture is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Mary Hunt, atmary.hunt@state.co.usor call 303-869-9006.
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.
E-Verify
CDA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more aboutE-Verify (http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify) , including your rights and responsibilities.
Toll-Free Applicant Support - Technical Help
If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
In a regulatory environment, what benefits would a laboratory derive from operating under ISO 17025 accreditation?
02
Describe the manner in which a Quality Assurance professional can provide value-added participation to an organization.
03
ISO 17025:2017 requires labs to plan and implement actions to address risks. Give an example of a potential risk to laboratory impartiality or data integrity you have identified and the steps you took to mitigate it.
04
Describe a situation where you conducted a Root Cause Analysis. Describe the tools you used and how you verified the effectiveness of the corrective action.
05
Describe your experience acting as a lead or participant in an internal or external audit.
06
If applicable, Please list the name(s) of the ISO 17025 accredited facility in which you worked and what was your job title?
07
Are you a current or previous employee of the State of Colorado?
Yes
No
08
If so please list your Employee ID Number
Required Question
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State of Colorado
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