What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist position at North County Transit District?
Under the direction of the QA Systems Manager, the QA Specialist holds the responsibility for quality assurance and quality control on all revenue and non-revenue vehicles related to Bus Operations through predictive and preventive maintenance. This position will work to strategize, plan, and deliver consistent, reliable, comfortable, and convenient delivery of services through staff supervision and effective management of vehicle and facilities equipment. The Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist ensures vehicles, equipment, infrastructure, and services, as assigned, comply with quality and regulatory standards, safety protocols, and NCTD policies. This role involves monitoring quality control processes, conducting inspections, analyzing data, and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, reliability, and safety in the assigned systems.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This position is distinguished through its ability to independently analyze data, conduct audits, inspections, and generate reports to provide technical support for determining root causes and identifying defect trends in fleet maintenance. This position will work closely with other departments at NCTD to develop and organize all QA/QC work to ensure that a state of good repair is achieved and maintained. In addition, this position will assist in coordinating, documenting, tracking other fleet and maintenance efforts as needed.
Supervision Received and Exercised
This position reports to the QA Systems Manager. This position exercises no direct supervisory authority, but they are expected to oversee the QA of all revenue and non-revenue vehicles related to Bus Operations by developing, managing, and administering any QA/QC related programs.
Essential Functions
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Performs fleet inspections and campaigns.
- Performs follow-up inspections of recent repairs on a periodic basis.
- Develops and/or reviews quality assurance reports of findings; determines alternatives and makes recommendations for quality assurance inspections
- Makes recommendations to the maintenance trainer on training content.
- Assists the Director of Maintenance in the development and any ongoing work with the Fleet Replacement Plan.
- Follows up on maintenance vehicle repeaters, analyzes repeater data and trends, and makes recommendations on corrective actions.
- Coordinates operating effort with capital vehicle acquisitions; continually evaluating and updating the fleet replacement strategy.
- Provides technical support and expertise in the development of specifications for transit fleet, repair, modification, and maintenance of vehicles.
- Ensures, through testing, evaluation, technology, and warranty recovery that quality is maintained at the lowest life cycle cost.
- Conducts various special studies, product evaluations, failure analyses, cost/benefit assessments, and repair/replace analyses.
- Makes presentations and trains others regarding quality assurance and warranty control policies, procedures, and work instructions.
- Assists in coordinating, documenting, tracking, and resolving warranty claims, campaigns, and corrective and preventive actions.
- Analyze operational data to identify trends, deficiencies, and opportunities for performance improvement.
- Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and engineering teams to enhance system reliability and efficiency.
- Assist in the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality metrics for continuous improvement.
- Ensure adherence to safety policies, accident prevention strategies, and emergency response plans.
- Conduct root cause analysis of incidents and propose corrective and preventive actions.
- Train staff on quality assurance procedures and best practices.
- Maintain records of inspections, test results, and compliance reports.
- Prepare detailed reports on quality performance, safety assessments, and audit findings.
- Recommend updates to quality control documentation based on industry best practices and regulatory changes.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Experience/Education
High school diploma or equivalent.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible relevant experience in heavy duty fleet maintenance to include experience in CNG, Battery Electric, and Hydrogen propulsion systems.
A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered.
Certificates/Licenses
Possess and maintain a California driver’s license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the preceding 36-month period and no DUI’s in the prior seven (7) years.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
- Valid California Class "B" Driver License with both Passenger and Air Brake endorsements preferred.
- ASE Certifications preferred.
General Requirements
Gather, compile, analyze, and prepare QA reports, including analyzing data for trend analysis.
- Application of statistical methods and quality cost data analysis.
- Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations pertaining to quality assurance plans, programs, auditing, documentation, and reporting requirements.
- Develop and interpret technical documents, specifications, and procedures.
- Exhibits a friendly, professional, and customer-service oriented demeanor continuously.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills to deal competently with individuals at all levels of responsibility and authority.
- Ability to manage highly confidential and challenging situations with diplomacy and tact.
- Ability to work under pressure, multi-task, and organize workflow to deliver high-quality products within established deadlines.
- Collaborative and flexible“can-do” attitude with a willingness to perform even the most basic tasks. Apply personal attention to detail and take pride in “going the extra mile” to achieve success.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including knowledge of the structure and content of the English language such as the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar. Superior writing and proof-reading skills.
Working Conditions
This position is required to work under varying climactic conditions including heat and cold due to the open garage doors. This includes the following:
Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen.
High dust, dirt, and/or grease environment.
High noise environment.
Work with regular exposure to odors or fumes.
Exposure to explosives and/or highly flammable materials.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals, solvents, and/or gases.
Exposure to varying temperatures extremes including hot and cold.
Exposure to weather elements including wind, rain, and direct sunlight.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions, work with office equipment, and periodic lifting of equipment up to 25 pounds is required.
Ability to hear, see and to communicate verbally in the English language to exchange information.
Ability to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings or overnight when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain.
The incumbent in this position will be exposed to a high noise environment that includes moving machinery and/or vehicles.
May be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals, hazardous materials, and electrical hazards.
Ability to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, stoop, stand and stand for long periods of time.
Incumbents in this position must have good distance vision and/or depth perception to judge distances and color recognition (e.g. distinguishing wires, resistors, light signals etc.).
Position requires extensive safety training and/or use of protective devices and personal protective gear.
Machines / Tools / Equipment
Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax and scanner machine, copy machine, and telephone.
Salary : $68,319 - $102,434
