Title: Quality Assurance Lead, #W5204
State Role Title: Info Technology Specialist III
Hiring Range: $100,000 - $120,000 per year (salary commensurate with experience)
Pay Band: 6
Agency: Department of Social Services
Location: DSS HOME OFFICE
Agency Website: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A
Job Duties
At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.
We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.
Quality Assurance Lead contributes to and leads comprehensive automation testing efforts across multiple projects in alignment with the strategic goals of the agency. This role requires a strong leader to lead and work alongside the team, working to design, develop, and maintain automated test scripts and frameworks. The work requires a hands-on approach to ensure the efficient execution of automated tests, optimized processes, and support for the continuous improvement of automation strategies. By working closely with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, the Quality Assurance Lead will drive the integration of automation efforts across different projects, ensuring high-quality software is delivered consistently and on time. The work requires balancing leadership responsibilities with technical expertise, guiding the team through complex testing challenges while fostering a collaborative and innovative testing environment. The position will provide leadership of the QA automation team working with the QA Test Manager, IT Administrative Director, Infrastructure Operations and Application Development to ensure the integrity and quality of agency products and services.
Minimum Qualifications
• Extensive experience testing (manual and automated) and developing professional software managing IT Software QA Testing in a large enterprise, Cloud or service provider environment.
• Expertise with both manual and automated test planning and execution including building modern test frameworks and infrastructure
• Experience working in an Agile SCRUM environment
• Experience with bug tracking and task management software such as Jira
• Knowledge of Continuous Integration principles and best practices (CI/CD)
• Knowledge of Performance testing efforts and tools
• Hands-on experience with testing and test management tools, such as: X-Ray, Selenium, AVO
• Leadership experience in leading change, driving results, and leading people.
KSA’s and/or Competencies required to successfully perform the work:
• Comprehensive knowledge of IT infrastructure library (ITIL) practices and state of the art IT service procedures
• Expert level knowledge of IT infrastructure and IT service procedures
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with colleagues, decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Strong automation tools and scripting skills.
• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to rapidly shift focus.
Leading Change - the ability to bring about strategic change within the organization to meet organizational goals.
Leading People - the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this leadership competency is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
Results Driven - the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this leadership competency is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying functional and technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
Additional Considerations
• Experience with 508 compliance testing and tools
• Experience with cloud-based testing environments (e.g Azure, Salesforce)
• Certification: Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST), Certified Test Engineer (CSTE), or Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) as sponsored by the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) is preferred
• Certified in IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.
VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.
In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.
VDSS does not provide sponsorship.
This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy.
VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.
If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site when you apply.
Contact Information
Name: VDSS – Division of Human Resources
Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov
Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.