CDA-Senior Quality Assurance Analyst; Physical Scientist III

CDA‑Senior Quality Assurance Analyst (Physical Scientist III)

Title: Senior Physical Scientist III – Quality Assurance Analyst

Department: Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA)
Agencies in the state that support the agriculture industry, which contributes $47 billion of economic activity and nearly 5 % of the workforce.

Strengthen and advance Colorado’s agriculture; promote a safe and high‑quality food supply; protect consumers; foster responsible stewardship of the environment.

• Partnership
• Service
• Professionalism
• Proactivity
• Respect

• Advancing Local Food Access
• Expanding Water‑Resilient Agriculture
• Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
• Advancing Animal Health and Welfare

• Peri‑defined benefit or contribution plan, optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Health Savings Account supplement ($60 / month)
• Paid life insurance and optional additional coverage
• Paid short‑term and optional long‑term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays, plus vacation and sick leave accruals
• Benefit Hub employee discount program
• Employee wellness program
• Flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more

Provide laboratory services for CDA regulatory programs and external customers, performing chemical, microbiological and instrumental analysis of samples related to animal food, animal health, pesticides, soil, fertilizer, water, hemp, and marijuana.

Maintain rigorous compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and related standards, support the laboratory information system, conduct internal audits and surveillances, offer technical consultation on quality control, method validation, measurement uncertainty, staff training, and manage proficiency testing.

• Quality System Administration & Compliance: Coordinate QA program for the Biochemistry Laboratory, stay current with ISO/IEC 17025, federal and state regulations, GLP principles and accreditation requirements.
• Policy & Document Control: Develop, edit, and implement policies, SOPs, work instructions, and document control processes.
• Quality Control & Corrective Action: Review complex scientific data, identify deficiencies, and assist in implementing, monitoring, and closing corrective actions.
• Internal Audits: Perform technical and scientific audits of laboratory activities, report findings, and recommend improvements.
• Proficiency Testing: Compile, track results, issue corrective actions, and investigate failures.
• Equipment Calibration: Coordinate calibration of devices with external calibration firms.
• Other Duties: Support LIMS operation and maintenance, act as liaison with the LIMS provider, and prepare reports for laboratory managers and executive leadership.

• Colorado resident at application time.
• In‑person role, no remote work.
• Six (6) years of professional QA/QC experience in a regulated laboratory, or equivalent education and experience.
• Proven experience in quality leadership, risk analysis, root‑cause analysis, and corrective/preventative action implementation.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and approving SOPs and technical validation reports.
• Proficiency with laboratory, records, and data management software (e.g., LIMS, SharePoint).
• Experience mentoring junior staff and managing proficiency testing programs.
• Experience with measurement uncertainty and metrological traceability.

• 10+ years of QA/QC experience in an ISO 17025 accredited environment.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 management requirements.
• Experience leading external accreditation assessments.
• Certification as a quality professional (CQA, CQE, CQM, CQT); required within 12 months of hire.
• Experience with complex instrumentation (HPLC, MS/MS, QTOF, ICP‑OES, PCR, etc.).

• Resident of Colorado required.
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and adapt to changing conditions.
• Unwavering commitment to laboratory impartiality and conflict‑of‑interest identification.
• Risk‑based…