Climate Pollution Reduction Software Quality Assurance (QA) Tester (IT Quality Assurance – Journey)

Description

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Climate Pollution Reduction Software Quality Assurance (QA) Tester (IT Quality Assurance - Journey) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by April 3, 2025.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after April 3rd may not be considered.

Duties

As the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP) Software Quality Assurance (QA) Tester, you will be responsible for directing Quality Assurance (QA) test activities for assigned projects, which is an essential function of the IT software development process. This includes working within the Agile teams for software testing, including evaluating technical requirements and design to specify test approach, develop acceptance criteria, manipulate test data, develop automation code, execute test scripts, manage test artifacts, identify defects, performance issues, and risk areas. You'll evaluate the entire software development process to ascertain whether design changes and/or enhancements are capable of fully meeting CPRP business needs and objectives. 

Working with the IT Manager and subject matter experts across the program, you'll help ensure information systems are consistent with state and agency best practices, standards, and strategy roadmaps across various technology disciplines, including but not limited to, application development, data integration and reporting, database and application security, content management, shared services, accessibility, usability and user interface design. 

What you will do:

• As subject matter expert, spearhead and participate in testing Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP) systems.
  • Collaborate with CPRP Business Analysts to research system requirements, user stories, topic papers, technical documents, and design documents to design test plans for each release;
  • Create system and business relevant test cases, system test scripts & dependency data with input from Business Analysts;
  • Conduct usability testing to verify software meets user interface standards and complies with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;
  • Collaborate with Business Analysts and development staff on test approach and refine acceptance criteria;
  • Oversee test resources, coordinate test activities in shared test environments, ensure systems are maintained;
  • Develop, maintain and execute manual and automated test scripts, run system batches and coordinate testing with interface partners.
• Lead software Quality Assurance initiatives
  • Evaluate and recommend software quality assurance plans and procedures, templates, for projects based on best practices for the type of project;
  • Develop test plans and strategies for complex regional, divisional or multifunctional applications;
  • Oversee activities to manage overall defect tracking process and tool across all test phases; creating metrics for project success and reporting on these metrics throughout the project life cycle; escalating discovered problems, issues, and risks to the management;
  • Identify and suggest quality process improvements focused on defect prevention, compliance with policies and procedures and by assisting others with how to apply these in system development processes and practices.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Six years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in relevant quality assurance IT experience.  Experience must include the following:
  • Knowledge of software quality assurance strategies, methodologies, and processes.
  • Knowledge in development architecture and use of automated test tools as well as writing automated test scripts using a variety of scripting languages.
  • Knowledge of defect tracking tools and techniques.
  • Knowledge of test management tool(s) and techniques..
• Education involving a major study in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 4 years of experience AND completion of a two-year accredited vocational training program in IT or related program. 
• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or above. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

Desired Qualifications:

• Solid understanding of Scrum, DevOps, or any other Agile development methodology.
• Demonstrable and successful experience with test automation of multi-tiered web applications, including Selenium, Playwright, SOAP UI, or similar tools.
• Ability to review complex software design specifications with a focus on testability and quality improvements.
• Proficient in understanding design documents such as logical/physical/functional designs, process flows and schema diagrams.
• Thorough knowledge of IT concepts and principles, theories and functions of computer systems, industry standards, methodologies and processes, and the principles and techniques of IT documentation.
• Software and Application Testing Certificate of training completion. Examples: 
  • Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)
  • American Society for Quality (ASQ)
  • International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
  • International Institute for Software Testing (IIST)
    

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [email protected]
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Wilfred Humeny at [email protected]. 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected]

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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