Quality Assurance Specialist

Location : North York, ON hybrid

Contract Duration : 1 year with an option to extend the contract by 2 years in 1 year increments

Working Hours : 35 hours per week

Job Title : Quality Assurance Specialist

Responsibilities :

• Assist in the development, implementation, and upkeep of QA documentation, tools, and resources essential for the Quality Management Program, ensuring alignment with Engineering, Construction, and Expansion (ECE) Group's protocols, PMO governing documents, and corporate standards.
• Lead internal QA audits across ECE departments to evaluate process compliance, pinpoint process gaps, and suggest improvements to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.
• Conduct external QA audits on design consultants and contractors to validate adherence to contractual requirements.
• Conduct observations, interviews, and process analyses, employing quality tools, techniques, and technologies during the audit process.
• Engage in the corrective action process, including follow-up on Audit Corrective Action Requests (CAR).
• Prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations, including non-conformance reports (NCR), and present findings as needed.
• Collaborate closely with Project Management, Construction Management, PMO functional managers, and ECE Management to support Capital Projects and Major Projects portfolios, customizing the quality management approach according to project specifications.
• Provide guidance and assistance in establishing quality requirements for RFP / RFQ documents for design and construction contracts across various delivery models.
• Contribute to the development of Inspection and Test Plan templates based on technical specification QC requirements.
• Review quality submittals from contractors and designers, including Quality Plans and Inspection and Testing Plans.
• Train and educate construction staff, such as Senior Construction Inspectors, on quality oversight and monitoring processes in the field to ensure contractor compliance with contractual requirements.
• Maintain quality submittals / audit logs, meeting minutes, and monthly QA reports.
• Participate in lessons learned workshops and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop presentations and training materials and deliver training sessions to ECE personnel on quality management and improvement, tailored to specific projects or frameworks.

Qualifications :

• Experience leading internal and external quality audits for process and contract compliance, as well as business improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in quality management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Extensive experience implementing and managing quality management programs for complex infrastructure and transit projects, including oversight of designer and / or contractor performance.
• Familiarity with project controls, project management standards, processes, procedures, and tools, preferably in an engineering or construction environment.
• In-depth knowledge of engineering and / or construction practices and standards.
• Strong research, investigative, and analytical skills, with the ability to problem-solve using critical thinking.
• Sound judgment and the ability to recommend process improvements and solutions to complex issues.
• Excellent client management, relationship-building, communication (written and verbal), presentation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong planning, organizational, and multitasking abilities, with high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in relevant software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and SharePoint.

Education and Experience :

Completion of a post-secondary college diploma or university degree in a related discipline (e.g., engineering, business), plus a minimum of ten (10) years of directly related experience in quality function in Transit projects within a project management, engineering, or construction environment;

or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Assets :

• Formal training as a Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor.
• Familiarity with ISO9001 and Six Sigma methodologies.

Problem Solving and Analysis :

This position requires strong problem-solving and analytical skills to recommend, integrate, and enhance document control processes.

The role involves working with various plans, procedures, work instructions, and forms, industry-standard project management and quality management theories, as well as project scope documents, technical documents, cost and schedule records, and submissions from external designers and contractors.