Quality Assurance Analyst II

GCI Communication Corp•Anchorage, AK

About The Position

GCI's Quality Assurance Analyst II will p rovide professional IT quality assurance support by testing, evaluating, assessing, investigating, and troubleshooting IT systems and integrations. Write, revise, and verify quality standards and test procedures for program design and product evaluation. Attain quality of applications economically and efficiently resolving bugs, defects, and other potential issues. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS: Perform quality assurance and testing activities. Develop, document, and execute test plans and test cases in accordance with functional requirements and technical specifications. Create and execute regression test plans. Validate system application functionality across various hosted and on prem solutions, integrations, integrated systems, operational processes, and custom development ensuring their alignment with design specifications and database updates. Write clear, concise defects and/or bugs and effectively communicate with developers and project team members to isolate problems. Work closely with technical resources and testers on review and resolution of issues. Review test plans and cases written by others for coverage and completeness. Review requirements and design documentation and participate in design reviews. Assist Project Managers and Scrum Masters in planning and estimating efforts, providing input and clarity on testing requirements and level of effort estimates. Conduct QA on support processes to ensure that the application and support solution meets quality standards and business needs. Work collaboratively with developers, business system analysts, project managers, and scrum masters to ensure quality product development and successful project deliveries. Assist in developing and maintaining quality assurance procedures and standards. Focus Areas (see addendum for additional details) : IT Quality Assurance IT Technical Quality Assurance Ability to function autonomously on assigned projects with minimal direction. Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with colleagues, customers, operating and technical staff, and other GCI departments. Actively participate in sessions with business stakeholders. Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with, and understand the needs of, non-technical internal clients are essential. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and multi-task in a dynamic, complex, and rapidly changing environment. Ability to reconcile divergent demands and prioritize individual workload. Technically astute, highly organized, and have a reputation for meeting deadlines and budget commitments. Understanding of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) leveraging traditional Waterfall, Agile, LEAN-Agile, SAFe, and/or blended frameworks. Testing experience in internal software application and/or hosted development and systems integration. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to instinctively sense issues and opportunities. Ability to create and execute test plans and test scripts. JIRA, Zephyr or other test system software experience including planning, creating, and executing test cases. Experience with development of electronic presentation materials, MS Teams, Zoom, Skype and the ability to handle ad-hoc question-and-answer sessions ADDENDUM : Focus Area: IT Technical Quality Assurance Additional Job Requirements: Implement technical test case automation, monitoring, and configurations. Manage technical test plans to include automations, intake and prioritization, overseeing the testing and automated testing of all code prior to production deployment and resolving escalation issues within the group related to technical test cases. Identifies automation solutions and software, and performs configuration and development related to technical testing activities and technologies. Additional Duties: Monitor queue items from other groups and create technical automation tasks for test plans and the team. Monitor and report progress of automated and technical testing activities to Management. Develop, and configure automated test plans and test cases leveraging established tool set and seeking new technologies for growth. Develop, implement, and standardize technical test automation tools, configurations, and database standards. COMPETENCIES: ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve. o Ability to function autonomously on assigned projects with minimal direction. BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI’s Code of Conduct for Employees – the Basic Principles. COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances. o Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with colleagues, customers, operating and technical staff, and other GCI departments. o Actively participate in sessions with business stakeholders. COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally. o Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with, and understand the needs of, non-technical internal clients are essential. COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics. CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction. RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations. o Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and multi-task in a dynamic, complex, and rapidly changing environment. o Ability to reconcile divergent demands and prioritize individual workload. RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving. o Technically astute, highly organized, and have a reputation for meeting deadlines and budget commitments. o Understanding of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) leveraging traditional Waterfall, Agile, LEAN-Agile, SAFe, and/or blended frameworks. o Testing experience in internal software application and/or hosted development and systems integration. o Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to instinctively sense issues and opportunities. o Ability to create and execute test plans and test scripts. o JIRA, Zephyr or other test system software experience including planning, creating, and executing test cases. SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures. Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively. Additional Preferred Competencies: Functional system, device and App/GUI experience in tech support troubleshooting customer accounts, devices, services, and billing issues User Acceptance Test Planning and Implementation experience for hosted and/or on-premises applications and integrations. Test Automation or Monitoring Experience. Netcracker platform experience or other order to billing/CRM/Financial software package. Experience testing: Website development, User Experience (UX) Design, Mobile Apps, Telecom software and systems, financial systems, engineering systems and switching, mobile device design, Cloud based solutions, Next gen connected devices, E-commerce, CRM, e-payment, and/or order to cash product process development lifecycles. SQL scripting skills in Oracle and MS SQL. Testing experience in a production environment with regular and frequent code releases. Business analysis and/or Project Management skills. Ability to use and create or configure automated testing tools for testing such as scripts or other available testing tools. Functional testing experience. Familiarity with JIRA, Confluence, Kanban. Functional understanding of Intranet and Internet technologies including HTTP, FTP servers, application servers, and internet protocols. Experience with web analytics/reporting tools. Experience with development of electronic presentation materials, MS Teams, Zoom, Skype and the ability to handle ad-hoc question-and-answer sessions. Additional Job Requirements: This is an intermediate level position working under moderate supervision. Collaborates with more senior analysts and supports the team in implementing moderate to more complex projects. Additional Duties: Manage Kanban Test Boards in Jira or Confluence as an application administrator. Communicate with other Jira Administrators and Atlassian on functionality and configuration updates. Verify and present statistical test data for client review through Dashboards and Status. Technical support for application jobs required for testing, including but not limited Data Requests, Inventory, Invoicing, Usage loads. Evaluate incoming client requests for prioritization against backlog - providing input/clarity and on testing requirements and document level of effort estimates per request.

Requirements

A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis
High School diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, Computer Science or relevant field.
Minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Quality assurance or quality control Product or project management Configuration, development, or systems support Business systems analysis Monitoring, billing systems, or order entry functions Other related experience supporting quality monitoring, assurance, or control processes
Ability to function autonomously on assigned projects with minimal direction.
Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with colleagues, customers, operating and technical staff, and other GCI departments.
Actively participate in sessions with business stakeholders.
Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with, and understand the needs of, non-technical internal clients are essential.
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and multi-task in a dynamic, complex, and rapidly changing environment.
Ability to reconcile divergent demands and prioritize individual workload.
Technically astute, highly organized, and have a reputation for meeting deadlines and budget commitments.
Understanding of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) leveraging traditional Waterfall, Agile, LEAN-Agile, SAFe, and/or blended frameworks.
Testing experience in internal software application and/or hosted development and systems integration.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to instinctively sense issues and opportunities.
Ability to create and execute test plans and test scripts.
JIRA, Zephyr or other test system software experience including planning, creating, and executing test cases.
Experience with development of electronic presentation materials, MS Teams, Zoom, Skype and the ability to handle ad-hoc question-and-answer sessions
Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.

Nice To Haves

IT Project Experience
Software Test or Quality Assurance Certifications.
Project Management Professional (PMP and/or PMP-ACP).
Agile Certified Professional (ACP), IC Agile, LEAN Six Sigma.
Certified Scrum Master (SAFE Certification).
Applications, Programming, and Software certifications are desirable.
ITIL Certification (V3 or 4), Foundation, Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert, Managing Professional, Strategic Leader, Master.
Telecommunications experience.
Other telecom industry or job specific certifications.
Functional system, device and App/GUI experience in tech support troubleshooting customer accounts, devices, services, and billing issues
User Acceptance Test Planning and Implementation experience for hosted and/or on-premises applications and integrations.
Test Automation or Monitoring Experience.
Netcracker platform experience or other order to billing/CRM/Financial software package.
Experience testing: Website development, User Experience (UX) Design, Mobile Apps, Telecom software and systems, financial systems, engineering systems and switching, mobile device design, Cloud based solutions, Next gen connected devices, E-commerce, CRM, e-payment, and/or order to cash product process development lifecycles.
SQL scripting skills in Oracle and MS SQL.
Testing experience in a production environment with regular and frequent code releases.
Business analysis and/or Project Management skills.
Ability to use and create or configure automated testing tools for testing such as scripts or other available testing tools.
Functional testing experience.
Familiarity with JIRA, Confluence, Kanban.
Functional understanding of Intranet and Internet technologies including HTTP, FTP servers, application servers, and internet protocols.
Experience with web analytics/reporting tools.

Responsibilities

Perform quality assurance and testing activities.
Develop, document, and execute test plans and test cases in accordance with functional requirements and technical specifications.
Create and execute regression test plans.
Validate system application functionality across various hosted and on prem solutions, integrations, integrated systems, operational processes, and custom development ensuring their alignment with design specifications and database updates.
Write clear, concise defects and/or bugs and effectively communicate with developers and project team members to isolate problems.
Work closely with technical resources and testers on review and resolution of issues.
Review test plans and cases written by others for coverage and completeness.
Review requirements and design documentation and participate in design reviews.
Assist Project Managers and Scrum Masters in planning and estimating efforts, providing input and clarity on testing requirements and level of effort estimates.
Conduct QA on support processes to ensure that the application and support solution meets quality standards and business needs.
Work collaboratively with developers, business system analysts, project managers, and scrum masters to ensure quality product development and successful project deliveries.
Assist in developing and maintaining quality assurance procedures and standards.
Implement technical test case automation, monitoring, and configurations.
Manage technical test plans to include automations, intake and prioritization, overseeing the testing and automated testing of all code prior to production deployment and resolving escalation issues within the group related to technical test cases.
Identifies automation solutions and software, and performs configuration and development related to technical testing activities and technologies.
Monitor queue items from other groups and create technical automation tasks for test plans and the team.
Monitor and report progress of automated and technical testing activities to Management.
Develop, and configure automated test plans and test cases leveraging established tool set and seeking new technologies for growth.
Develop, implement, and standardize technical test automation tools, configurations, and database standards.
Manage Kanban Test Boards in Jira or Confluence as an application administrator.
Communicate with other Jira Administrators and Atlassian on functionality and configuration updates.
Verify and present statistical test data for client review through Dashboards and Status.
Technical support for application jobs required for testing, including but not limited Data Requests, Inventory, Invoicing, Usage loads.
Evaluate incoming client requests for prioritization against backlog - providing input/clarity and on testing requirements and document level of effort estimates per request.