Does: It Specialist (Sr. Qa & Test Lead)

This position is located within the Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of Information Technology (OIT) division. The mission of DOES is to connect District residents, job seekers, and employers to opportunities and resources that empower fair, safe, effective working conditions and provide comprehensive employment services to ensure a competitive workforce, full employment, life-long learning, economic stability, and the highest quality of life for all District residents.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced IT Specialist - Senior Quality Assurance and Test Lead to join our team. The incumbent will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust testing framework, implementing effective toolsets, training stakeholders, and providing support to testers. The position requires close collaboration with project managers, business analysts, developers, and architects to devise dynamic and automated tests. The candidate must possess strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and a drive for innovation.

MAJOR DUTIES

Testing Framework Setup: Develop and implement a comprehensive testing framework that aligns with industry best practices and supports the organization's quality goals. Establish guidelines, standards, and procedures for testing processes and methodologies.

Toolset Implementation: Identify and evaluate testing tools and technologies to enhance the testing process. Implement appropriate tools for test automation, test management, defect tracking, and performance testing. Ensure effective integration of tools into the testing framework.

Stakeholder Training: Conduct training sessions and workshops to educate project managers, business analysts, developers, and architects on testing processes, methodologies, and tool usage. Foster a culture of quality and testing throughout the organization.

Test Planning and Strategy: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to devise test plans and strategies that meet project requirements and objectives. Define test scope, timelines, and resource requirements. Identify risks and develop contingency plans.

Test Execution and Management: Lead and oversee the execution of test cases, test scripts, and test scenarios. Monitor and track test results, defects, and test coverage.

Coordinate with stakeholders to resolve issues and ensure timely delivery of high-quality software.

Automation Testing: Drive the implementation of automated testing solutions. Design and develop test scripts, frameworks, and libraries to support efficient and scalable automated testing. Continuously explore opportunities to increase test automation coverage.

Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify areas for process improvement, efficiency gains, and quality enhancements. Implement innovative approaches and techniques to optimize the testing lifecycle. Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in the QA and testing field.

Collaboration and Communication: Foster effective communication and collaboration among project teams. Work closely with project managers, business analysts, developers, and architects to align testing efforts with project goals and priorities. Provide regular status updates, reports, and recommendations to stakeholders.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Proven experience as an IT Specialist - Quality Assurance and Test Lead, with a focus on setting up testing frameworks, toolsets, and automation.

Strong knowledge of software testing methodologies, processes, and best practices.

Expertise in test planning, test design, and test execution for complex software systems.

Proficiency in test automation tools and frameworks (e.g., Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, Cucumber).

Familiarity with programming languages (e.g., Java, Python) and scripting for test automation.

Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and working in cross-functional teams.

Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think analytically and innovatively.

Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring abilities.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The supervisor outlines overall objectives and available resources. The incumbent and supervisors discuss timeframes, scope of the assignment including possible stages, and possible approaches. The incumbent determines the most appropriate principles, practices, and methods to apply in all phases of assignments, including the approach to be taken, and degree of intensity. This position sends project status updates to management and acts upon supervisor feedback, as needed. The supervisor reviews completed work for soundness of overall approach, meeting deadlines, effectiveness in meeting requirements or producing expected results, the feasibility of recommendations, and adherence to requirements.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include the project charter, District IT strategies and IT standards as defined by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, District and Federal government laws and regulations, and DOES policies and procedures. Incumbent uses judgment in researching, choosing, interpreting, modifying, and applying available guidelines for adaptation to specific problems or issues.

COMPLEXITY

The IT Specialist - Senior Quality Assurance and Test Lead will develop testing procedures by defining quality metrics and test strategies, establish and clearly communicate standards and milestones of QA testing, instruct and mentor their team on quality metrics and testing strategies, provide constructive advice to the team when needed, and notify senior leadership on adverse developments which can negatively impact the project or agency.

SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of this position is to deliver high-quality software solutions through effective testing practices, automation, and collaboration. The Senior Quality Assurance and Test Lead will develop, implement, and manage test plans and will apply his/her expertise and creativity to drive innovation and continuous improvement to ensure that quality standards are met in our testing processes.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with persons in the organization, other District agencies, Federal agencies, vendors, and other states and jurisdictions.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

The purpose of the contacts is to contribute to the delivery of high-quality software solutions, collaborate with program and vendors to identify requirements, opportunities, and find solutions to issues, effectively communicate important information and feedback to the test team, and provide quality feedback and status reports to management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary; however the work may require lifting of no more than 30 pounds, some bending, traveling and driving to off-site locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed in an office setting.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Operating Status: In-Person reporting, flexible and limited telework options available upon position eligibility and operational needs.

Pay Plan, Series, and Grade: CS-2210-13

Salary Range: $93,069 - $119,916; based on available funding.

Duration of Appointment: Career Service “At-Will”

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Area of Consideration: Open to the public

Position Designation: This position has been designated as security-sensitive therefore the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability, and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to criminal background checks, background investigations, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing, as applicable.

Residency Preference: When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.