Launch Your Career as a Deployable Quality Assurance Specialist
Are you looking for a career that goes beyond the typical office setting? The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is offering an extraordinary opportunity for professionals who want to make a tangible impact on national security. As a Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable), you will act as the vital link between the U.S. government and the contractors responsible for manufacturing the equipment and technology our troops rely on.
Job Responsibilities
As a Quality Assurance Specialist, your day-to-day work will be dynamic and multifaceted:
- Risk-Based Surveillance: You will design and implement comprehensive assessment plans to monitor contractor performance.
- Technical Compliance: You will inspect production methods and ensure that contractors are following design and manufacturing requirements to the letter.
- Problem-Solving: By auditing processes and investigating customer complaints, you will help identify and mitigate quality issues before they impact the end user.
- Data Analysis: Using your analytical skills, you will translate data into actionable insights for the wider DCMA team.
Requirements & Qualifications
To be considered for this GS-11 level position, you must meet the following criteria:
- Specialized Experience: You must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level (or equivalent), demonstrating a firm grasp of quality assurance principles.
- Deployment Readiness: This is the core of the role. You must be prepared to serve in overseas war zones for 6-9 months.
- Documentation: Your resume must be no longer than two pages. If it exceeds this, you will be disqualified.
- U.S. Citizenship: Required for all positions within this agency.
Salary & Benefits Overview
This position offers a competitive salary structure based on the assigned location, ranging from $74,678 to $114,413.
| Location | Salary Range (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Garden City, NY | $88,005 - $114,413 |
| Ontario, CA | $87,061 - $113,185 |
| Orlando, FL | $74,678 - $97,087 |
| Huntsville, AL | $77,772 - $101,110 |
In addition to base pay, deployed personnel are eligible for temporary promotions (GS-12), danger pay, and foreign post differentials.
Application Tips
Applying for a federal job can be daunting, but consistency is key. Ensure your resume explicitly lists hours worked per week and precise employment dates. If you are using education to qualify, have your transcripts ready. Double-check your resume page count before submitting to avoid the most common cause for application rejection.
Can I be promoted while in this role?
Yes. Upon deployment overseas, you may be temporarily promoted to the GS-12 level, provided you meet eligibility requirements.
This is more than a job—it is a mission. If you are an experienced quality professional looking to test your skills in challenging, mission-critical environments, the DCMA is your next destination. Apply today.
Why This Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable) Job Matters
Join the elite ranks of the Defense Contract Management Agency as a Deployable Quality Assurance Specialist and play a critical role in supporting warfighter readiness across the globe.
Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable) Job Overview
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is seeking dedicated professionals for the position of Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable). In this essential role, you will be the eyes and ears of the Department of Defense, ensuring that quality products and services are delivered to the military. This position requires a unique commitment: you will serve in a permanent capacity while maintaining readiness to deploy to austere, overseas environments for 6-9 month rotations. When deployed, qualified candidates may be eligible for a temporary promotion to the GS-12 level, along with additional compensation such as danger pay and foreign post differentials.
Requirements for Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable)
- U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
- Must be willing to deploy to forward operating austere locations in war zones.
- Must meet all mandatory medical standards, theater entry requirements, and immunization schedules (including potential requirements for Anthrax, Smallpox, and more).
- Must obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
- Ability to wear required uniforms or protective clothing as dictated by the deployment environment.
- Must be able to fulfill the Emergency-Essential (E-E) designation requirements.
- Resume must not exceed two pages; longer resumes will be automatically disqualified.
- One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level (or equivalent) in quality assurance, industrial management, or related technical fields.
Preferred Qualifications for Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable)
- Experience in risk-based surveillance program design.
- Background in identifying process improvements through statistical data analysis.
- Strong proficiency in federal acquisition regulations and contractual compliance.
- Proven track record of working within multi-functional or technical teams in high-pressure environments.
- Advanced degree or graduate-level education in engineering, computer science, or physical sciences.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary with geographic locality adjustments.
- ✓Potential for temporary promotion to GS-12 while deployed.
- ✓Entitlement to danger pay and foreign post differential during overseas deployments.
- ✓Comprehensive federal health, dental, and vision insurance options.
- ✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matching.
- ✓Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays.
- ✓Reimbursement for authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses.
💡 How to Apply Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable) Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Quality Assurance Specialist (Deployable) Job
- Log in or create an account at USAJOBS.
- Prepare a resume that is strictly limited to two pages.
- Complete the online questionnaire via the provided application link.
- Submit all required documentation, including transcripts if using education to qualify.
- Complete any required USA Hire Assessments if prompted after submission.
- Monitor your application status through your USAJOBS account.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume concise; the two-page limit is strictly enforced and failure to comply will result in automatic rejection.
- Explicitly state your hours worked per week and specific dates of employment to ensure your specialized experience is clearly documented.
- Use standard, legible fonts like Lato, Arial, or Calibri at 10-point size or larger.
- Ensure all educational documents include the name of the institution, course list, and date degree was conferred.
- Set aside at least three hours for potential USA Hire Assessments, as they are a critical part of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be an Emergency-Essential (E-E) employee?
It means your position is critical to the DoD mission. You are expected to deploy to overseas locations during crisis situations. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to separation from federal service.
Is a security clearance required for this job?
Yes, this position requires a Secret security clearance.
Can I work remotely?
The position is not remote; however, it is telework-eligible depending on mission requirements and location.
What are the medical requirements for deployment?
Personnel must be able to pass a rigorous medical screening and receive all required military-grade vaccinations.
Job from Defense Contract Management Agency
The Defense Contract Management Agency is the Department of Defense's independent eyes and ears. We work across the globe to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality products to the warfighter, while maintaining strict standards for affordability and readiness. Our team members are dedicated, adaptable, and highly skilled in their respective technical domains.