Tester

Novalink Solutions LLC•Augusta, ME

About The Position

The Project Management Office is seeking an experienced Tester to help support Maine’s WIC program. Maine WIC is part of a global network of 88 WIC programs and participates in a consortium using the SPIRIT MIS system under the State Agency Model (SAM), alongside 11 tribes and 6 other states. As the contract holder and a voting member, Maine has key testing responsibilities for the system. Operationally, WIC services include conducting nutrition risk assessments, assigning food packages, making referrals, providing education, entering data, and issuing benefits via EBT cards, with optional in-store shopping assistance for participants. SPIRIT operates on a structured release cycle with two major releases per year, sometimes followed by corrective releases or hotfixes.

Requirements

WIC program and USDA FNS Federal Regulation knowledge
Familiarity with SAM MIS systems such as Crossroads, Mountain Plains, MOSAIC, and Spirit
Experience using Issue Reporting Systems like Azure DevOps
Bachelor’s degree in nutrition is required
Self-directed and independent
Strong communication skills, both written and spoken.
Ability to work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

Plans, constructs, and executes User Acceptance Tests (UAT) based on CDP-generated major, minor, and hotfix functional repairs included in the release document and other software products.
Conducts interface testing with the EBT Processor and regression testing to confirm no harm or unintended consequences from release to release.
Recognizes scenarios that may require data setup by technical application staff, and requests the data to support successful pass/fail testing.
Manages time precisely to complete UAT based on the published schedule.
Reports results using established tools and user group processes.
Uncovers additional issues or bugs through rigorous cycle-to-cycle application regression testing.
Gains significant knowledge of business applications.
Leads all efforts relating to testing and/or coordination of application testing tasks with the WIC Technology Manager.
Plans and reviews test models for product test, project, and release control (plans, data, and scripts).
Plans product test with Functional Spirit users, the WIC Director, Technical MaineIT Resources, team members, WIC Technical Manager, the support Maintenance and Enhancement Provider (CDP), other software providers, and the Spirit User Group (SUG).
Coordinates the development, updating, documentation, and maintenance of testing standards and procedures that exceed reproduction steps in DevOps.
Develops options, recommendations, and documentation to assist WIC Helpdesk Team members in resolving user-reported Spirit application issues received by the helpdesk.
Communicates effectively with customers and software/hardware suppliers supporting the State and Local Agency users as appropriate.
Develops and publishes an accurate estimate of time and resources needed to complete UAT objectives and report results.
Anticipates, identifies, tracks, and resolves issues and risks affecting own work and work of the Test and/or Application Teams.
Develops contingency plans as necessary.
Researches problems before approaching the MaineIT application group resources or the Test Team Lead for assistance.
Assists and guides other business testers and functional users as needed.
Updates application user guides as applicable and prepares user-friendly communication pieces that inform users of verified functional changes in the Spirit application and other technical initiatives.
Acts as primary point of contact for issue reporting and testing requests submitted by WIC State and Local Agency users, CDP support, the Spirit User Group, and EBT Provider.
Attends mandatory weekly scheduled Spirit application calls, such as the Change Control Work Group, Spirit Tester Call, and Morning Call sessions, to be informed of activities and testing requirements.
Assists in managing and directing technical tasks such as set up data requests, table updates or requesting scheduled processes be run on or out of schedule to support testing initiatives and drive results.
Develops understanding of system business requirements supported by the Test team.
Develops, updates, and maintains testing standards, procedures, and Maine WIC Spirit Application user training guides as needed.
Requests additional Team support as needed to complete tasks and processes by balancing team capacity and schedule.
Communicates accurate and useful status updates.
Completes assigned tasks with a high degree of quality and in a self-directed manner.
Assists in resolving incoming Helpdesk issues from Clinic users as the SME to the WIC SA team.
Defines testing quality standards.
Ensures that defined, documented, repeatable processes are in place and followed.
Reviews and understands the Release schedule testing work plan provided by the software provider.
Creates and completes test plans and identifies any additional criteria for acceptance not specifically stated in DevOps for each resolved item and/or change request delivered in the release, as published in the Release Manual and Issue repository in DevOps.
Ensures that test design remains within project scope, which includes User Acceptance Testing, Interface testing with the EBT Processors' live test environment, and Regression testing as needed.
Reviews Entry/Exit criteria in Azure DevOps to determine pass/fail status and testing method to use.
Participates in post-UAT reviews and quality assessments and new release demonstrations (Participant Portal, eWIC EBT conversion, and other WIC technology initiatives as needed).
Assists Application Teams to plan and execute functional tests related to changes in the software functionality due to changing regulations, such as food package changes, FMNP season start/finish cycles, and other USDA-mandated updates as requested.
Defines product test plans and criteria for software acceptance.
Resolves testing process questions/issues.
Provides estimated-to-complete (ETC) and actuals for assigned tasks to the WIC Director and the WIC Technical Manager.
Creates test scripts for UAT testing, Interface Testing, and Regression testing, which include pre- and post-condition details and any data setup requirements.