Quality Assurance and Quality Control Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Salary Range: $59,000 - $69,000

Benefit Package:  PLTO offers an excellent compensation and benefits package (Medical, Dental, 401(k) retirement, vacation, holiday and sick pay, etc.)

General Description:

Under the general direction of the Quality Assurance and Documentation Manager, the Quality Assurance and Quality Control Officer supports the organization by planning and directing activities concerned with development, application, and maintenance of quality standards for service functions, industrial processes, materials, and products. This position is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, auditing, and verifying that operational processes, materials, services, and documentation consistently meet regulatory requirements, engineering specifications, industry standards, and internal quality expectations.

The officer plays a hands-on role in ensuring adherence to quality systems, supporting document control practices, and identifying opportunities for process improvement. This role is critical in maintaining data integrity, supporting audit readiness, and ensuring quality compliance during both pre-operational construction phases and the operational O&M period.

Responsibilities/Essential Function

Quality Systems Responsibilities:

1. Conduct routine inspections and audits of operational activities, service functions, materials, and processes to verify compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
2. Support the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance and quality control programs.
3. Assist in identifying process deficiencies and participate in corrective and preventive action activities.
4. Collect and document operational data for analysis of trends and performance improvement.
5. Maintain accurate audit and inspection records and prepare deficiency reports.
6. Monitor adherence to safety, administrative, and training procedures.
7. Participate in internal audits and quality assessments.
8. Assist in evaluating quality-related training needs.
9. Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 standards and applicable industry regulations.
10. Read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and construction specifications to verify field compliance.
11. Apply practical problem-solving skills to identify quality issues across design, construction, and operations.
12. Participate in SOP development and review sessions to ensure procedures reflect actual field practices.
13. Assist in translating engineering and operational processes into clear documented procedures.

Document Control Responsibilities:

1. Follow established document control procedures for document storage, distribution, revision control, and retention.
2. Ensure only current and approved document versions are used in the field and operations.
3. Assist in routing documents through review, approval, distribution, and filing processes.
4. Support audits by providing accurate and organized documentation.
5. Track document revisions, change notices, and configuration control logs.
6. Maintain quality documentation within electronic document management systems.
7. Assist departments in meeting document compliance deadlines.
8. Support training documentation and competency record maintenance.
9. Operate office equipment related to document reproduction and filing.
10. Utilize Microsoft Word and Excel to assist with document tracking, formatting, and reporting.
11. Cooperatively and effectively perform related tasks and duties as required.

Pre-Operational Phase:

• Assist with review of contractually required document submittals.
• Participate in review of design and construction submittals for quality and engineering compliance.
• Perform or support QA/QC inspections on construction materials such as concrete pours, structural steel, trackwork, and facilities.
• Support development of quality programs and document systems for the O&M period.
• Coordinate with contractors, subcontractors, and field engineering teams to verify compliance with quality standards.
• Assist with preparation of reports and materials to support operational readiness.

Operational Phase (O&M Period):

• Conduct inspections and audits of operational teams to monitor quality performance.
• Support configuration control and emergency response documentation compliance.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping of O&M data for reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Observe subcontractor quality practices and report deficiencies or improvement opportunities.
• Support organizational reporting and documentation needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable transportation regulations such as FTA, OSHA, and DOT.
• Working knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office programs including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality standards and compliance practices.
• Understanding of company operating guidelines, Collective Bargaining Agreement, PLTO policies, and commuter rail regulations.
• Ability to apply practical judgment in balancing compliance with operational realities.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships across departments and with contractors.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.
• Understanding of construction sequencing, project schedules, and field issue resolution preferred.
• Background in construction QA/QC or construction management preferred.

Emotional, Psychological and Physical Requirements:

Ability to:

• Work long hours and endure high levels of stress.
• Handle emergency situations, calmly and effectively.
• Make quick and concise decisions.
• Concentrate on priority tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Communicate effectively through different mediums.

Physically:

• Sit frequently for long periods of times.
• Walk and stand periodically while on duty in the field or throughout the facility.
• Bend, twist, and turn frequently and consistently during shift.
• Work in adverse weather conditions
• Lifts light loads at times (<50 lbs.)
• Work in both office and field environments.

Additional/Miscellaneous/Special Requirements:

• Acceptable drug/alcohol screen results upon hire and as regularly required by policy for position.
• Willingness to work during evening and weekend hours as needed.
• May be required to attend training, meetings, and classes for continued professional development which may require local travel within the Washington Metropolitan area.
• Acceptable driving record must be maintained throughout entirety of employment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Quality Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience supporting quality inspections, audits, or document control activities.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, construction QA/QC, or operational quality environments.
• Experience in light rail, commuter rail, or transportation industry required and FRA environment preferred.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and applicable quality standards preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.