DSHS FTAA IT Quality Assurance Senior Specialist

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Finance, Technology, & Analytics Administration (FTAA) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Test Lead – IT Quality Assurance Senior/Specialist on the Division of Information Technology (DIT) Quality Assurance team. The QA Team is responsible for validation and approval of coding changes for a large complex of eligibility systems that administer cash, food and medical assistance to the residents of Washington State. The Test Lead is involved in all phases of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). The SDLC includes requirements and design definition, coding, testing and deployment. You will participate in the entire testing process including strategic planning, reviewing artifacts, test environment maintenance, test design, test execution, defect management, reporting of test results. You will guide testing efforts for the Quality Assurance project team, working closely with testers, business analysts, technical teams, and business partners. You will mentor others in testing practices, support quality improvements, and review the work of others to ensure system updates are ready for production. You will also empower new testers to build confidence and skills through training, coaching, and clear expectations. This project is anticipated to last until June 2027 but may be extended.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Information Technology Systems, Computer Science, and Seven years of professional experience as a test analyst using software testing methodologies, experience with hierarchical and relational database management systems, experience testing web and/or client server applications.
• Experience with industry test workflow and requirement definition tools.
• Experience using XML, SQL and file manager tools.
• OR, An Associate's Degree or equivalent in Information Systems, Computer Science and nine years' of professional experience as a test analyst using software testing methodologies, experience with hierarchical and relational database management systems, experience testing web and/or client server applications.
• Experience with industry test workflow and requirement definition tools.
• Experience using XML, SQL and file manager tools.
• OR, Eleven years' of professional experience as a test analyst using software testing methodologies, experience with hierarchical and relational database management systems, experience testing web and/or client server applications.
• Experience with industry test workflow and requirement definition tools.
• Experience using XML, SQL and file manager tools.
• AND Two years of professional experience in a leadership role within a QA team.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of experience solving complex problems through imaginative, innovative and creative leadership
• Software Testing Certification

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the quality of coding changes delivered for ACES complex applications that are critical to the delivery of food, cash, and medical benefits.
• Lead the testing of complex projects.
• Oversees and manages essential environment maintenance and patching for multiple test environments, ensuring a stable foundation for the testing required to successfully support project deliverables.
• Make decisions and complete tasks regarding maintenance and the access of test environments.
• Apply strategic expertise to incorporate existing processes and develop new methods/procedure/approach to complete projects.
• Complete research on new technologies and tools, provides a recommendation for implementation and guides integration.
• Train new staff and provide enhanced training for existing staff using their advanced knowledge of testing principles, concepts and practices.
• Maintain relationships with State and Federal Agency partners to coordinate test efforts for shared functionality.
• Partners with project manager, business analysts and key business partners to ensure accurate bug triaging, prioritization, and swift issue escalation.

Benefits

• Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license.
• Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior