Role Description

Scientific > Quality Assurance Specialist

Salary National Average

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45080.0000 57490.0000 73890.0000

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Candidate Supply: 13,268 Job Openings: 1,860

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Short Description:

Make sure the company for which they are employed produces well-made and non-defective products. These professionals evaluate all production and manufacturing procedures and oversee quality testing on products prior to their release. They work for a variety of industries, such as production companies, manufacturing firms, software development companies, and technological companies.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Identify and Resolve Production Issues - In some industries, quality assurance specialists perform quality tests during production to identify and correct any work-in-progress issues. They create and implement monitoring processes and ensure that production employees are adhering to standards and safety guidelines.
  • Conduct Product Testing and Audits - Perform routine inspections of finished products to check for defects and other problems before these products are shipped for distribution. They identify problems, separate defective products from non-defective products, create audit reports, and record corrective procedures to resolve product non-compliance.
  • Document Product Tests and Corrections - Once a product has been tested and found defective, quality assurance specialists meet with superiors to address issues and discuss resolutions. They maintain records of product tests and defects and summarize corrective actions taken.
  • Evaluate Production Operations - Observe production operations and make suggestions for improvements to minimize errors and defects in products.
  • Create Training Materials - Create operation manuals and training materials that outline operation processes and any updates to procedures or practices within the manufacturing or production process.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Technical Skills – Understanding quality assurance as well as production technologies and systems is crucial in this role
  • Computer Skills – Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs, such as Word and PowerPoint, is necessary for QA specialists to produce documents, reports, and presentations
  • Commercial Awareness – These specialists must be experts in industry standards impacting inspection and quality control techniques and procedures
  • Communication Skills – Strong oral and written communication skills for making presentations, explaining quality improvement plans, and producing testing and quality assurance reports is necessary for this profession
  • Attention to Detail – The ability to detect issues from among many products and review every aspect of production operation calls for a keen eye for details
  • Team-Oriented – QA specialists work closely with quality control managers, production workers, quality engineers, inspectors, and other personnel
  • Analytical Skills – Analyzing production processes and applying this skill to the inspection of products is central to this role
  • Time Management – Most companies strive for quick turnaround from the detection of a product defect to implementation of viable solutions, so these specialists produce results in a timely manner

Job Zones

  • Title: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
  • Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. 
  • Related Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
  • Job Zone Examples: Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: (7.0 to < 8.0)

 

  • Title: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
  • Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Related Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Job Zone Examples: These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: 6.0 to < 7.0)

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