Certification Specialist

At the heart of CSA Group is a vision: making the world a better, safer, more sustainable place. It's been part of our mission for nearly one hundred years: from the first engineering standard for railway bridges developed in 1919, to more than 3,500 standards, codes & related products today.

Headquartered in Canada, with a global footprint of more than 30 labs and offices across Europe, Asia and North America, CSA Group tests, inspects and certifies a wide range of products - from every day househould items to leading edge technology-to meet exacting requirements for safety, performance and environmental impact.

Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We're looking for people like you to help make it happen.

Job Title: Certification Specialist

Delivers product certification programs requiring interpretation of standards, processes and procedures. Makes technical decisions based on a high degree of knowledge, training and professional experience to maintain the integrity of CSA’s global certification programs.  Can act as a backup for the management of activities such as (but not limited to): technical support, staff training, participation in assigned Standard committees, answering technical questions.

Working Relationships

• Reports to Product Group Manager (PGM) or Team Leader or Assistant Operations Manager
• Performs mentoring duties to more junior staff, i.e. Lab Tech’s, Certifier Levels I & II reviewing evaluations, findings letters, client communication (where appropriate) and acceptance of project work as a mentor
• Internal & External clients / customers

Dimensions

• May lead small teams on special projects as identified by management
• As requested by Manager, may provide input regarding the performance of Technicians or junior Certifiers

Principle Duties & Responsibilities

PERFORMANCE

• Efficiently manages certification projects concurrently and ensures completion within time frames and cost deadlines in order to generate specified revenue targets. Evaluates products against requirements of national / international standards and precedent decisions. Makes technical decisions. 
• Handles a wide spectrum of projects including those that are complex generating high revenue levels.
• Able to consistently maintain very high productivity while managing multiple projects with on-time and on-budget performance.
• Actively looks for efficiencies (continual improvement) and can demonstrate changes made to laboratory operations that have delivered productivity gains year on year.
• Identifies and seeks approval for the development of new or improved evaluation processes, standards interpretations and forms & templates.  Identifies and seeks approval for the development of new or improved test facilities, including laboratory equipment and procedures.
• Reviews test data, reports and authorizes application of CSA Mark.  Prepares and / or signs Certification Reports and Certificates of Compliance.
• Participates in CSA Technical Network, Technical Panel as required and may support international standards development. Considered a technical authority both inside CSA and across industry as evidenced by participation in technical committees, authoring technical papers, etc.
• Represents CSA Group at Public functions.
• Provides formal internal and external technical presentations.
• Supports team in audit processes.
• Conducts manufacturer’s facility assessment for CPC and SMT / SMTC programs. 
• Conducts construction evaluation, ensuring the unit complies with the construction section of the standard; identifies rationale for compliance or non-compliance.
• Collaborates with Lab Technician to create a work order which test are required and; the order of the tests and the number of samples required.
• Evaluates products at the customer facility. Witnesses tests performed by the customer on their products. Evaluates construction of products.  Reviews customer test methods. Ensures all test equipment are within guidelines. Provides technical briefing on existing requirements. Answers inquiries regarding standards and legal requirements.
• Evaluates and qualifies companies in the administration of the CSA Category Certification Program and evaluates and qualifies companies in the administration of the CSA Shared Program or other agency programs. Reviews customer test methods and systems; reviews new / old product designs and all applicable documentation.  Ensures all test equipment and quality procedures are within guidelines. Provides training and technical briefings on new and existing requirements. Authorizes application and / or removal of the CSA Mark.
• Provides technical information service to external and internal customers including those forwarded by the Client Service Center. Liaises with customer in design stage to ensure requirements of national / international standards are met without compromising confidentiality.
• Acts as back up for the Technical Advisor. Provides technical support, specialized training as assigned by Product Group Manager, to staff of CSA, Network Partners, customers or subcontracted independent testing laboratories and ensures technical consistency. Communicates interpretations of requirements to peers and customers. Develops certification practices to solve technical problems involving new technology.
• Provides technical guidance and training. Answers inquiries regarding standards and legal requirements.
• Acts as a Notified Body representative or Reviewer to support Certification Decision or issuance of Approvals.
• May be qualified to perform (CB) Report reviews and conduct Category Audits.
• Keeps the Product Group Manager / Lead or Assistant Operations Manager informed of project status as required, pointing out major problems and non-compliance.
• Accountable for including the Technical Advisor or Certifiers in product / technical discussions that are unique to CSA or to the experience of the individual.  This aids the Technical Advisor and Certifier to further advance consistency of practices and to provide guidance at the front-end of the process.
• Makes field trips and performs test work at manufacturer's facilities as required.

CUSTOMER

• Works with sales to support current clients and develop new client opportunities to support growth.
• Prepares project quotations for cost and time. Classifies product by use, environment and function. Determines applicable requirements /  test / standards. Determines sample requirements and method / location for testing / evaluation best suited to customers’ needs.
• Provides client feedback to Managers, Team Leader or Sales representatives, as appropriate.
• Explains the different product certifications programs available to clients and the requirements for control of production.
• Is able to explain test rationale and outcomes to customers or support Engineers / Customer Service Team to support the delivery of evaluation and test results to the end customer.

TESTING

• Performs within established DQD guidelines.
• Prepares Test Lab Work Orders and Special Testing Documentation that includes details regarding applicable sections of relevant standards, test sample plan, data collection methods and tables, Job Hazard Analysis, and any other instructions.
• Able to demonstrate experience of performing common testing within CSA laboratories.
• Has a good knowledge of the clauses and tests within the standards they support and can demonstrate application across multiple product types.
• Demonstrates the ability to compile evaluation record, data and summary test results into forms, templates and checklists without the need for supervision.
• Demonstrates the ability to correctly interpret the results from the tests without supervision.
• Provides necessary guidance to Lab Technicians to ensure proper application of requirements and data collections methods.
• Provides direction to Laboratories Technicians and Certifiers as needed.

SELF DEVELOPMENT

• They are subject to internal audits for compliance and competence.
• Seeks to attain an expert knowledge of the standards and their relationship to the tests performed in the laboratory.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of requirements for new and / or revised standards.
• Participates in CSA Group Continuous Improvement and Innovation projects.
• Makes recommendations and then delivers on new programs  /  equipment to expand core capabilities aimed at increasing the team’s overall competency and resources (people and equipment)
• Becomes fully knowledgeable in all national / international standards through research of standards, documentation, bulletins and technical articles and participates in Standards development work under the direction of the Technical Advisor. Participates in committees, task forces and provides technical expertise. Makes precedent-setting decisions to ensure technical consistency to resolve issues of pertinent practices, processes and precedents.
• Can explain to others the standards they are competent in.
• Demonstrates Knowledge sharing with other staff and CSA as a whole through written or verbal communication and training events.
• Actively seeks new ways to improve engineering and laboratory testing procedures and data capture templates to improve the accuracy, efficiency and consistency of data capture and recording.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the PGM, Manager or Assistant Operations Manager.

Work Environment

• Normal office conditions; spends some time in laboratory.
• This position requires regular attendance and punctuality in accordance with Company policies.  Additionally, the ability to work overtime, as necessary, is required. 
• Frequently occurring deadlines require incumbent to perform periods of substantial overtime.
• Unfavorable decisions can expose incumbent to highly stressful confrontations with clients.
• Some computer screen eye strain.
• Concentration required to evaluate products, review standards and analyze test results.
• Position requires incumbent to travel out-of-town on a regular basis.
• Occasionally exposed to dirty / hazardous environments at client facilities.
• Can assist with Health, safety and Environmental audits.
• Some physical effort is required working with tools and testing configurations.
• Extended periods of sitting during meetings and office work (often)
• Mix of standing, sitting and walking during lab time and examination of equipment.
• At some locations, provides Health, Safety and Environmental leadership in the form of spot checks and making regular H&S challenges.
• At some locations, can deliver entire lab H&S audits.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering with Registration as a Professional Engineer, with likely 6+ years of work experience in similar industry and / or 3 years at the qualified level or a 3 years College Diploma in a relevant technological discipline, with likely 6+ years of work experience in similar industry and / or 3 years at the qualified level
• Knowledge of CSA, UL and IEC standards; variety of test procedures
• Knowledge of CSA programs and services
• Leadership and management skills
• Computer proficiency (word processing); keyboarding
• Strong problem-solving ability; detail oriented
• Strong organizational, time, and project management skills
• Ability to work unsupervised
• High level of communication skills (verbal and written)