NIST Seeks Assessors for New Program to Accredit Calibration Laboratories

Engineers, scientists, metrologists and technical experts in industry, universities and government with experience in calibrations and laboratory management are needed by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct on-site assessments of laboratories that perform calibration testing services.

The assessors are required for a new program NIST is establishing at the request of the National Conference of Standards Laboratories.  NCSL, an association of more than 1,100 organizations, asked NIST to develop the activity under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program to meet the need for a U.S. accreditation program based on compatibility with international standards.

The scientific and technical experts will be under contract to NIST to help NVLAP assess the competence of laboratories that apply for accreditation.  To be accredited, laboratories must demonstrate their competence to perform calibration testing
services under ISO Guide 25, General Requirements for the Technical Competence of Testing Laboratories.

Assessors must be technically knowledgeable in one or more of the following fields of calibration:  dimensional, electromagnetic (DC/low frequency), electromagnetic (RF/microwave), mechanical, thermodynamics, ionizing radiation, optical
radiation, and time and frequency.  In addition, prospective assessors should be experienced in the management and operation of calibration laboratories.  Qualified assessors will be paid a fee for their services and reimbursed for travel expenses on an individual contract basis. 

Experienced individuals are invited to send a resume to C. Douglas Faison, Operations Program Manager, NVLAP, A162 Bldg. 411, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-0001, (301) 975-4016, fax:  (301) 926-2884.