Designs, builds, and implements test plans and test cases for software applications. Builds, executes, and maintains test data and test scripts. Selects and implements test techniques/methods appropriate for each application. Identifies, tracks, and reports system defects to internal development team (e.g., developers, product owners, and managers). Designs, builds, and executes accessibility and section 508 testing to ensure staff and other users with disabilities can access and use the software. Identifies, proposes, and implements improvement throughout the QA process using Agile methods. Analyzes business requirements/user stories for completeness and testability. Advocates for final product quality and customer satisfaction. Designs, builds, and executes the automation test scripts to facilitate continuous and repeated testing of previously built features as new, high-priority, customer-requested features are incrementally added on. Prepares, configures, and manages test data and automation scripts for multi-browser and systems requirements. Creates and implements regression test suites during the active development period of an application. Implements use of new testing tools for execution of QA testing activities.

Conditions of employment

• For conditions of employment and citizenship requirements, please visit the job announcement on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/YO0NL.

Qualifications

Required Work Experience

• GED with at least 12 years of relevant work experience; Bachelor's with 8-10 years of relevant work experience; Master's with at least 3 years of relevant work experience.

Required Special Skills/ Knowledge

• As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicant’s proficiency in key areas relevant to the role.
• Test planning, design, and implementation including selection of test techniques/methods appropriate for each application and associated test scenarios, implementation of functional and regression tests.
• Experience in developing the overall QA strategy for automation scripts including the design and implementation of end-to-end testing of software applications.
• Experience with writing in scripting languages related to building test automation scripts.
• Experience in utilizing automated functional and frontend testing tools.
• Experience with accessibility testing including designing, building, and executing section 508 compliance test scripts.
• Preparing technical QA documentation such as test plans, test cases, test reports, and defect reports.
• Working effectively in an Agile environment.
• Effective communication both orally and in writing.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience and familiarity with legislative processes in Congress or the Senate.
• Experience in developing and implementing automated test scripts for web applications using tools such as Playwright.
• Familiarity with Test-Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Integration (CI), and defect tracking/source control via GitLab.
• Experience conducting code reviews, debugging, and troubleshooting.
• Agile or Scrum certification (e.g., CSM, SAFe Agilist, PMI-ACP).

Working Conditions

• The U.S. Senate network cannot be taken offline for maintenance during the workday, or while the Senate is in session. As such, maintenance windows may only occur at night, on weekends, and occasionally on holidays. Employees who perform systems upgrades, maintenance, wiring, backups, support our alternate data centers will have schedules that include working nights, weekends, and holidays.
• This position directly supports essential services of the U.S. Senate. As such, this position requires the employee be available and prepared to work during a lapse, in inclement weather, on holidays, weekends, and during late nights to ensure essential services to the Senate continue without interruption. In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted.

Security Clearance

• This position requires that the applicant obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Government security clearance.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens in order for the SAA to submit your application for a security clearance.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated by a panel on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed and a reference check conducted.

• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Next steps