Quality Assurance Specialist

Nicholas Papciak

Quality Assurance Specialist

***************@*****.*** • 207-***-****

LinkedIn • North Berwick, ME 03906

Dynamic Quality Assurance and Environmental Compliance Specialist with extensive experience in risk-based surveillance, supplier evaluation, and contract compliance oversight. Proven success in managing hazardous waste operations in accordance with RCRA, EPA, and DoT standards. Adept in property disposal operations, process improvement, and asset reutilization within regulated environments. Skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams, conducting risk assessments, and maintaining readiness for environmental audits/inspections. Demonstrated leadership in emergency spill response, contract management, and technical training. Strong background in regulatory documentation and hazard coding for safe material handling.

Areas of Expertise

Quality Assurance & Risk-Based Surveillance

Supplier Evaluation/Performance Monitoring

Hazardous Waste/Environmental Compliance

Contract Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Regulatory Reporting & Documentation

Incident & Emergency Spill Coordination

Training/Process Improvement Initiatives

Professional Experience

Defense Contract Management Agency, Andover, MA

Quality Assurance Specialist

2022 – Present

Develop and execute surveillance plans proportionate to the supplier facility’s size, contractual complexity, and criticality. Prioritize monitoring of critical supplier systems/processes based on likelihood and impact of failure across performance, cost, and delivery metrics. Deliver focused risk planning around high-impact contract elements such as first article testing (FAT). Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and analyses utilizing customer feedback, supplier performance metrics, and government data to assign risk ratings to key quality systems and manufacturing processes. Champion use of alternative quality procedures (e.g., ARP, COC) when appropriate. Evaluate vendor QA controls and contractor make-or-buy decisions, focusing on complex or historically non-compliant procurements; recommended targeted Government QA when needed. Assess readiness and control of new or modified production/manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with contractual technical requirements. Liaise with contracting offices and program management offices, flagging deficiencies in contract or technical requirements and ensuring timely resolution.

●Defined process requirements and identified discrepancies between contract specifications/contractor practices; set requirement baselines and ensured proper flow-down of contract specifications into contractor quality management/inspection systems.

●Maintained direct communication with contractor leadership and cross-functional teams (QA, engineering, production) to ensure shared understanding of quality expectations across materials, processes, and deliverables.

●Ensured compliance with upper-tier quality requirements through structured risk planning aligned with specific contract, customer, and DCMA policy obligations.

●Selected and implemented tailored risk handling and surveillance methods at the process level, including process proofing, data analytics, and product audits.

●Led and supported pre-award surveys in coordination with cross-functional teams, evaluating supplier capabilities, past performance, and technical comprehension; prepared detailed survey reports and advised proposal review teams.

●Participated in post-award planning meetings to validate supplier alignment with contract specifications, identify surveillance needs, and ensure understanding of conformance requirements.

Defense Logistics Agency, Newington, NH

Property Disposal Specialist (Environmental)

2019 – 2022

Oversaw the receipt, storage, handling, accounting, and disposal of hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with federal (RCRA, DoT) and local environmental regulations. Managed hazardous material shipping and disposal operations. Led inventory management and visibility of hazardous property using IDMS and coordinated accelerated disposal actions for deteriorating or unsafe materials. Reviewed contractor manifests and transport documentation, verified DoT markings, and ensured authorized transporters and facilities were used. Enforced safety requirements and reported performance issues to the KO (Contracting Officer). Verified hazardous property inventory, reviewed pre-solicitation documents, and coordinated turn-in activities for contract requirements. Initiated and maintained required environmental reports, local support agreements, and RCRA recordkeeping compliance. Assisted in hazardous waste facility permitting and regulatory documentation. Served as DRMO liaison to Host Environmental Boards, local environmental agencies, DRMS, and community partners, ensuring alignment with hazardous waste management plans and spill contingency plans. Acted as emergency spill coordinator for the DRMO site, leading spill response operations, training personnel in emergency procedures.

●Appointed as contracting officer representative (COR) for hazardous waste service contracts—prepared delivery orders, maintained correspondence logs, and ensured contractor compliance with safety and environmental regulations during removals.

●Recommended improvements to service contract terms, contributing, enhancing operational efficiency/environmental stewardship

●Assessed physical and chemical properties of materials to determine storage safety, hazard levels (e.g., flammability, long-term reactivity), and compatibility requirements.

●Evaluated Disposal Turn-In Document (DTID) requirements, ensuring proper hazard coding, manifest data, and special handling instructions (e.g., PCBs, friable asbestos, pesticides, corrosives, batteries).

●Led weekly inspections of hazardous property storage areas and facility infrastructure, identifying and mitigating risks such as container degradation or chemical deterioration.

●Participated in regulatory inspections with Host installation, State, and Federal EPA personnel; reviewed hazardous property records and resolved discrepancies to ensure compliance with environmental laws and DoD policies.

●Maintained full knowledge of site-specific contingency plans, facility layouts, hazardous waste types, and critical regulatory records (e.g., HW management reports, unmanifested waste reports, training logs, inspection schedules).

Defense Logistics Agency, Newington, NH

Property Disposal Specialist

2016 – 2019

Oversaw property disposal operations, providing expertise in the distribution and sales of surplus and excess government property for all department of defense. Conducted rigorous evaluations and ensured compliance with federal regulations on demilitarization and abandonment procedures, safeguarding assets against unauthorized use and misappropriation. Collaborated with contracting representatives and management officials, attending meetings to discuss disposition of government property while maintaining robust systems for record-keeping and documentation. Facilitated training sessions on Turn-In processes at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, enhancing customer understanding and skills in property reutilization methods. Led initiatives for on-site consultations, streamlining disposal processes and reducing handling times.

●Promoted reutilization efforts via RTD website, enhancing resource efficiency.

●Implemented disposal methods that reduced overall cost to DoD significantly.

●Orchestrated a training program impacting over 15 participants per session.

●Conducted thorough research using FEDLOG and WEBFLIS databases, identifying and categorizing surplus assets.

●Operated material handling equipment to facilitate scrap classification and removal processes effectively.

Additional Experience

Section Chief, United States Air Force, Newington, NH

Security Manager, United States Air Force, Gunsan, Gangwon-do [Kang-won-do] South Korea

Flight Chief/Master Instructor, United States Air Force, McGuire AFB, NJ

Line Supervisor - Air Logistics Center, United States Air Force, Warner Robins, GA

Shift Supervisor - Electrical/Environmental Section, United States Air Force, Warner Robins, GA

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming, Southwestern College, Wichita, KS

Associate's Degree in Aviation Maintenance, CCAF, Montgomery, AL

Associate's Degree in Occupation Instruction, CCAF, Montgomery, AL

Certified Quality Auditor, American Society of Quality

Certification Six Sigma Graduate Leadership/Management Course Certification Occupational Instructor

Graduate Advanced Leadership/Development Course Supervisors Orientation CRSE Effective Writing Instructor CRSE

Instructor Supervisor Curriculum Development CRSE Instructional System Design Contracting Officers Representative Course

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Storage and Handling of Hazardous Materials

Transportation of Hazardous Material/Hazardous Waste (HM/HW) for DOD Secret Security Clearance Adjudication (2018 to Present)

Affiliations

Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars

Member, Disabled American Veterans

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