PACO Group, Inc. (PACO) is seeking an experienced Quality and Safety Assurance Manager to support the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in overseeing quality and safety compliance for infrastructure projects. The selected individual will be responsible for developing and managing the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Program Plan for the Sewage Ejector Replacement Program, coordinating quality standards across project tasks, and ensuring contractor compliance with WMATA’s safety and quality requirements. This role requires expertise in quality management processes, familiarity with ISO 9000 standards, and experience conducting quality audits, inspections, and safety/security certifications. The Quality and Safety Assurance Manager will play a vital role in upholding technical accuracy, safety, and regulatory compliance across all project phases while effectively supporting collaboration between WMATA departments and contractors.
Background
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA or The Authority) is one of the largest transit organizations in the United States. Formed in 1967 under an interstate compact among the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, the WMATA service area spans approximately 1,500 square miles and serves a population of about four million people. The Authority provides three core transit functions: Metrorail, Metrobus, and Metro Access paratransit. Combined, these modes support approximately one million passenger trips on an average weekday. The Office of Rail & Bus Infrastructure Rehabilitation (RBIR) is initiating a new program to replace sewage ejectors at ten (10) locations throughout the rail system.
The Sewage Ejector Replacement Phase A initiative supports RBIR’s efforts to address priority replacement needs within WMATA’s oldest and original systems, as assessed in 2021. The Metrorail system includes 97 sewage ejectors that transport sewage from underground rail stations to local sewer systems at street level. Without functional ejectors, wastewater cannot be properly disposed of, leading to system failures and operational impacts. Malfunctioning ejectors cause wastewater backflow and flooding, resulting in urgent maintenance needs, operational disruptions, and biohealth risks due to unavailable restrooms and cleaning facilities. Many of these systems are over 40 years old and require replacement with newer systems. Phase A of this initiative includes the removal and replacement of ten (10) existing sewage ejectors from Metrorail stations with ten (10) new sewage ejector pumps.
Scope of Work
The Quality Manager (QM) serves as a tertiary contact to the WMATA Task Manager for Construction Management Oversight, Plan Reviews, and the Safety and Security Certification process. This role is responsible for the development, direction, administration, monitoring, and coordination of the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Program Plan for the Sewage Ejector Replacement Program. The Quality Manager assists WMATA in planning, developing, and controlling major quality aspects across assigned tasks and provides oversight over various contractors’ quality programs. This role reports directly to the PM and requires in-person attendance at the office, with a monthly site visit.
Additionally, The Authority will establish a program of public contact for effective notifications, project updates, and communications with impacted customers, communities, and businesses near construction areas. Following the Public Participation Plan, The Authority, in cooperation with the Design-Builder, will develop a comprehensive communications and outreach strategy based on customer and community needs.
Key Aspects of the Quality Manager Position Include:

• Support the development of a program-specific QA/QC Program Plan with representatives from the WMATA Office of Quality and Internal Compliance Operations (QICO).
• Establish key quality indices for all aspects of the Sewage Ejector Program.
• Issue non-conformance notices to contractors on incorrect construction methods or materials identified during audits, inspections, or surveillance.
• Monitor program performance against established KPIs for the QA/QC Program Plan and provide weekly reports to the PM.
• Conduct job site conferences with technical consultants, engineers, architects, and subcontractors to review program requirements and resolve questions before work commences.
• Approve or reject construction materials based on conformance with specifications.
• Resolve quality-related issues with the program team and provide recommendations to the PM.
• Conduct audits of manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, systems integration, and acceptance testing.
• Review and approve quality program submittals for compliance with contract documents.
• Assist the PM in contract closeout by preparing a final report discussing the adherence of construction methods to standards and regulations, confirming that success criteria were met.
• Review and close IDRs and Observations in Procore monthly, maintaining an issue log for the PM and CM.
• Assist in reviewing safety and security certification plans, Certifiable Items List (CIL), and Project Hazard Analysis (PHA).
• Conduct bi-weekly quality meetings and manage the Safety & Security Working Group (SCWG), monitoring the SSC process.
• Provide monthly quality reports to the PM.
• Support coordination and communication efforts among WMATA departments.
• Create presentation documents and proposal materials of high quality, including visual products.
• Design layouts to support obtaining approvals for proof of concepts as directed by the WMATA Task Manager.
• Illustrate concepts by creating art and copy layouts, focusing on arrangement, size/type, style, and related design elements.
• Collaborate with contractors to develop a digital library of formatted photos, videos, and animations in support of the Sewage Ejector Replacement Program.
• Host regular status meetings to communicate project status, updates, and progress.
• Collaborate on communication and outreach services with Customer Service, Communication, and Marketing (CSCM) office.
• Engage with affected businesses and communities through virtual and in-person events, site tours, flyer distribution, and responses to community inquiries related to construction.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, quality, architecture, or a related field.
• At least ten (10) years of quality assurance/quality control experience in construction engineering, with experience in quality oversight, inspection, and testing for large infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of ISO 9000 quality standards as applied to planning, design, and construction.
• At least five (5) years of experience conducting quality assurance audits and surveillance of engineering design and construction activities.
• Familiarity with WMATA design criteria and standards for quality management is preferred.
• Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Certification preferred, but not required.
• Safety & Security Certification Program Representative with certification from the FTA, TSI, or another recognized Safety and Security Certification Training Agency within the last three (3) years.
• Demonstrated experience in visual design phases from concept to final product, including planning, designing, and production, to achieve project objectives.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and In Design) for digital content creation and editing.
• Experience with 3D modeling software (Revit and/or Auto CAD preferred) to create and edit files.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (entire suite).

General Requirements

• Knowledge of working in a government environment;
• Ability to pass a criminal background check;
• Ability to successfully complete WMATA’s RWP Certification Class;
• Ability to successfully complete the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Confined Spaces Training;

Benefits
401(k) and 401(k) Employer Matching
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Group Life Insurance, LTD and AD&D
Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Professional Development Assistance
PACO Group, Inc. is committed to furthering opportunities for everyone in the national construction market. The firm periodically reaffirms this commitment through an active affirmative action plan. It provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees without unlawful discrimination regarding race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, religion, military status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or citizenship status. As an equal opportunity employer, we have recruited, hired, promoted, and retained an ethnically and socially diverse professional staff. Our efforts to date have produced a multidisciplinary workforce - a record of diversity that extends to the highest levels of the firm's management.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $47.00 - $57.00 per hour
Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Washington, DC 20024: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person