Software Quality Assurance Analyst(Information Technology Analyst 2 (40 Hour))

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, CT Paid Leave Authority (the "Authority") has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Software Quality Assurance Analyst (IT Analyst 2).

What We Can Offer You:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Position Highlights:

• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• Monday through Friday
• First shift
• Location: Hartford, CT
• Hybrid Work Environment (combination of on-site and remote work)

Position Responsibilities:

The Software Quality Assurance Analyst is responsible for designing, executing, and documenting complex test plans to ensure the delivery of quality software applications in terms of their functionality, accessibility, useability, and performance. In this position, supervision is received. The successful candidate will report to the Quality Assurance IT Manager.

Additional Responsibilities Include:

• Gain a full understanding of the capabilities of the CT Paid Leave platform
• Design and maintain a robust library of test cases for all platform functionality
• Test across a variety of platforms, browsers and devices to align with stakeholder expectations, technical requirements and user stories.
• Regularly execute a variety of functional and non-functional tests, including smoke, regression, performance/load, accessibility and API/integration testing.
• Utilize assistive technology, such as NVDA, Axe or JAWS, to perform accessibility testing.
• Leverage automated testing tools
• Identify, document and track bugs found using Jira. This will require performing root cause analysis and suggesting solutions, as well as validating the fixes.
• Assist in defining acceptance criteria for work items within the team
• Collaborate with product owners, developers and business stakeholders to understand requirements being tested and proactively provide suggestions that would improve the system and user experience
• Support users and/or stakeholders participating in User Acceptance Testing
• Provide live or recorded demonstrations as needed for various users, stakeholders or partners
• Assist in training new team members
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, providing feedback from a QA perspective and advocating for both system quality and user experience throughout the development lifecycle.
• Regularly identify opportunities to improve testing efficiency through test automation by collaborating with the Quality Assurance IT Manager, Software Quality Assurance Automation Engineer and DevOps Engineer.
• Proactively support all efforts to make the user experience consistent, accessible and intuitive.
• Utilize interpersonal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate, build trust and offer constructive feedback in a collegial work environment.
• Engage in a remote work environment, including regular participation in on-camera video calls during team meetings or partner interactions.

About the Authority:

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority is a quasi-governmental agency formed by statute and signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont in 2019. Its mission is to provide financial security to Connecticut’s workforce by offering benefits payments when either the employee or their family member takes a leave from work to care for themselves or a family member.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Hayley Newhouse at hayley.newhouse@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency Information Technology (IT) environment this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of information technology tasks and project coordination work involving infrastructure systems support, security and application development in an IT environment.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

For All Functional Areas

• Acts as liaison to hardware and/or software vendors, system developers, programmers and user community;
• Evaluates and recommends products;
• Participates in Request for Proposal (RFP) process;
• Assists in estimating cost for annual budget;
• Identifies and implements opportunities for cost savings;
• Conducts system performance analysis, tuning and storage management;
• Assists staff and customers in use of computer systems and software packages;
• Trains operators, IT staff and end users on new procedures;
• Participates in recovery activities;
• Participates in the evaluation of new, related technologies;
• Analyzes requirements and designs systems;
• Participates in or coordinates project planning sessions with customers, analysts and team members to analyze requirements and provide design recommendations for moderately complex systems;
• Provides technical consultation on moderately complex issues regarding the usage of the infrastructure, integration of applications systems into the infrastructure, etc.;
• Participates in system integration testing of operating system, system utilities, hardware upgrades as well as new software and hardware technologies;
• Works with project team to define and design scope for each project;
• Plans, coordinates and schedules assigned projects;
• Coordinates resources for projects;
• Ensures timely completion of all phases of projects;
• Evaluates and recommends vendors;
• Performs related duties as required.

Systems Programming

• Provides second or third level support for network connectivity, or related network issues for the user community;
• Diagnoses and resolves moderate network problems utilizing traces, hardware diagnostic tools, software aids, network management systems and utilities;
• Coordinates the installation and maintenance of network components;
• Analyzes network activity;
• Analyzes capacity planning and facilities bandwidth requirements and system interdependencies;
• Manages, maintains and contributes to network system documentation;
• Develops back-up procedures for LAN servers;
• Analyzes the recovery and reliability capability of systems and network services and makes recommendations for improvement;
• Recommends hardware and software purchases in support of remote access;
• Configures and certifies wiring;
• Participates in projects which calls for troubleshooting, installing, implementing, administering, and maintaining network systems;
• Assigns file access controls, encryption keys and other security attributes;
• Maintains host and/or front-end processor communications software;
• Provides support to customers experiencing problems with hardware, operating systems and related utilities in servers;
• Assists in installation and maintenance of performance monitors, schedulers, program management systems and utilities, report generators and compilers;
• Configures and installs application packages;
• Coordinates and/or performs installation and configures operating systems, new software releases, system upgrades and patches in support of hardware products;
• Coordinates backups and file management with operations staff;
• Proactively tunes operating systems and system components to avoid performance problems;
• Writes utilities for system management, reporting, file clean up and auditing;
• Provides and maintains documentation and manuals necessary at operational level;
• Responsible for standards and design of physical data storage, maintenance, access and security administration;
• Performs functions associated with vulnerability and security risk assessments;
• Performs functions in support of investigative and forensics activity;
• Performs related duties as required.

Software Development

• Recommends and creates action plans for system development and/or integration;
• Responsible for standards and design of physical data storage, maintenance, access and security administration;
• Writes utilities for system management, reporting, file clean up and auditing;
• Configures and installs application packages;
• Develops and maintains documentation and manuals necessary at customer level;
• Prepares time and cost estimates and initiates purchase requests for multiple projects;
• Creates test files and performs system testing across multiple packages and systems;
• Writes and programs system specifications;
• Defines work and/or data flow;
• Designs screens, forms and reports;
• Defines data elements;
• Prepares source code;
• Designs and develops tables and relationships;
• Arranges necessary hardware and software availability for assigned projects;
• Analyzes assigned specifications, codes, tests and implements software solution, utilizing appropriate software engineering processes;
• Debugs and/or corrects errors; maintains integrity of software;
• Maintains and enhances existing programs;
• Writes utilities for system management, reporting, file clean up and auditing;
• Designs and develops routine to moderately complex applications;
• Responsible for all phases of systems development life cycle;
• Develops strategies for data acquisitions, archive recovery, security and implementation of routine to moderately complex applications;
• Defines and develops the project scope of multiple projects;
• Constructs operational Database Management System (DBMS) and data stores that enable informational, analytical management inquiry;
• Performs backup and recovery on database management systems;
• Configures database parameters, and prototype designs;
• Provides basic database support and troubleshooting;
• Responsible for standards and design of physical data storage, maintenance, access and security administration;
• May be responsible for design, development and implementation of new system interfaces for applications on multiple platforms from mid-range computers to client servers and internet-based environments;
• Performs related duties as required.

Database Administration

• Recommends and creates action plans for system development and/or integration;
• Provides and maintains documentation and manuals necessary at operational level;
• Provides basic database support and troubleshooting;
• Responsible for standards and design of physical data storage, maintenance, access and security administration;
• Writes utilities for system management, reporting, file clean up and auditing;
• Analyzes requirements and designs systems;
• Recommends and creates action plans for system development and/or integration;
• Provides and maintains documentation and manuals necessary at operational level;
• Proactively tunes operating systems and system components to avoid performance problems;
• Coordinates backups and file management with operations staff;
• Responsible for standards and design of physical data storage, maintenance, access and security administration;
• Constructs operational DBMS and data stores that enable informational, analytical management inquiry;
• Performs backup and recovery on database management systems, configures database parameters, and prototype designs;
• Performs related duties as required.

Network Support

• Recommends and creates action plans for system development and/or integration;
• Performs functions associated with vulnerability and security risk assessments;
• Performs functions in support of investigative and forensics activity;
• Maintains host and/or front end processor communications software;
• Provides second or third level support for network connectivity, or related network issues for the user community;
• Diagnoses and resolves moderate network problems utilizing traces, hardware diagnostic tools, software aids, network management systems and utilities;
• Coordinates the installation and maintenance of network components;
• Analyzes network activity;
• Analyzes capacity planning and facilities bandwidth requirements and system interdependencies;
• Manages, maintains and contributes to network system documentation;
• Develops back-up procedures for LAN servers;
• Analyzes the recovery and reliability capability of systems and network services and makes recommendations for improvement;
• Recommends hardware and software purchases in support of remote access;
• Configures and certifies wiring;
• Participates in projects which calls for troubleshooting, installing, implementing, administering, and maintaining network systems;
• Assigns file access controls, encryption keys and other security attributes;
• Provides and maintains documentation and manuals necessary at operational level;
• Develops and implements network security procedures;
• Installs, configures and programs hubs, routers, bridges, gateways, servers, multiplexors, modems and other communications equipment;
• Installs, monitors, maintains and upgrades network access to servers and mainframe services;
• Maintains host and/or front-end processor communications software;
• Monitors network traffic for malicious activity;
• Performs related duties as required.

IT Security

• Assists in developing, testing and maintaining agency disaster recovery plans (DRP) designed to restore IT system operability;
• Assists with development of processes and procedures in support of IT Business Continuity Planning;
• Performs functions in support of platform recoverability assessments and Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to determine and assess the impacts associated with disruptions to business functions;
• Performs functions in support of risk analysis of IT environments by assessing administrative, technical and physical safeguards;
• Assists with IT investigations to include maintaining chain of custody procedures;
• Performs forensics and documenting detailed reports of findings;
• Monitors network activity for malicious activity;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • IT equipment and diagnostic tools;
  • principles and techniques of systems analysis, design, development and programming;
  • principles of information systems;
  • principles and theories of business and planning functions;
  • programming languages;
  • capabilities of computer technology;
• Knowledge of
  • methods and procedures used to conduct detailed analysis and design of computer systems;
  • principles and techniques of software generation and programming;
  • practices and issues of systems’ security and disaster recovery;
  • computer operating systems;
  • project management principles and techniques;
  • principles and techniques of business information systems re-engineering;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • skill in technical problem solving;
  • skill in logic and analysis;
  • skill in problem solving;
• Skills in project coordination;
• Considerable ability to
  • analyze, troubleshoot and resolve data communications problems;
  • write, test and debug computer programs;
  • use programming development tools;
  • prepare manuals, reports, documentation and other written materials;
  • identify, analyze and resolve complex business and technical problems;
• Ability to analyze and debug complex software programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in information technology (IT) operations, programming, systems/software development or another IT-related support area.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been performing professional information technology work in such areas as: installation and support of microcomputer hardware, software and operating systems; analysis, design and development of information systems; network hardware and software installation and support; network hardware and/or software problem diagnosis and resolution; performing any closely related professional IT function.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Information Technology Analyst 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training in management information systems, computer science or information technology-related area may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in management information systems, computer science or electrical engineering may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with testing, including smoke testing, accessibility testing, regression testing and performance testing
• Experience in developing product knowledge and translating business and technical requirements into testing needs
• Experience with the technical capabilities of cloud-based platforms, such as Salesforce and Mulesoft
• Experience with automated testing tools
• Experience with Agile methodology, including tools such as Jira, Confluence, DevOps and Xray Test Management

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.