Federal Reserve System

Product Manager (Quality Assurance Analyst) - Information Technology-R024293

Primary Location

: DC-Washington

Employee Status

: Regular

Overtime Status

: Exempt

Job Type

: Standard

Relocation Provided: Yes

Compensation Grade Low: FR PAY GRADE 26

Compensation Grade High: FR PAY GRADE 28

Minimum Salary: $123,500.00

Maximum Salary: $266,500.00

Posting Date

: Mar 12, 2024

Position Description

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Experience

5

Summary

The Senior Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst is responsible for devising and implementing an overall Quality Assurance strategy for technology projects using the Information Technology (IT) Division's System Development Methodology (SDM). The QA Analyst is a member of the IT software development or systems team and works closely with the other QA analysts, business clients, and IT technologists during the design, development, and test phases of software development and system deployments. The Senior QA Analyst is responsible for refining client business requirements; developing test cases and test scripts; supporting user acceptance tests conducted by business clients; designing, implementing, and maintaining automated test scripts; reporting software defects; and acting as a documentation librarian. The Analyst is a technical expert in all aspects of the SDM, FISMA and security requirements, testing strategies, quality assurance methods, and documentation requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops detailed systems requirement specifications. Assumes a lead role during the creation of detailed test scenarios by analyzing available business and technical requirements. Participates in testing functionality, fixing defects, developing and executing regression scripts, and performing data load tests. Creates defect reports on issues found during the execution of tests. Maintains regression test bed. Effectively analyzes the test environment, understands the underlying business issues, and traces functional requirements for the system. Suggests test approaches and test strategies. Develops sustainable test case frameworks conductives for future regression testing. Develops effective test cases. Prepares test data as necessary.
• Has a thorough knowledge of the systems development cycle and employes execullent problems solving skills. Ensures compliance with SDM policies and procedures. Assists with specification and use case creation efforts. Rites and executes test cases based on specifications and use cases from business clients. Assists in diagnosing issues and creating reproducible scenarios and solutions. Maintains awareness of evolving information processing technologies. Coordinates with IT security staff on interpretation of FISM requirements.
• Has a thorough knowledge of quality test documentation and prepares such documentation as required. Provides estimates, defining and justifying the potential work required within a provided timeframe. Executes functional/system level test cases; and generates, maintains, and tracks test results Performs system testing, database querying, data content testing, web service testing, and integration testing. Maintains and tracks defects, generates defect reports and issues logs, attends defect meetings, and provides defect retests and follow-ups. Reports test and work status on a daily or periodical basis.
• Utilizes an effective test process or test methodology to improve work efficiency and quality at various stages in the SDM. Implements industry best practices. Recognizes areas where implementation of new quality assurance standards or procedures would be beneficial to the division, the client community, or the System.
• Communicates with the project and product management teams as necessary to resolve questions, issues, report progress or details on a frequent/on need basis, and suggests procedural improvements. Acknowledges, maintains, and accounts for all communication through suitable documentation and meeting minutes.
• Oversees the use of test automation tools and techniques. Assists other analysts with the use of these tools.
• Assists with and/or supports user acceptance test cases, as required. Works closely with the development team to test, resolve, follow-up and retest defects and other issues. Assists with the development team's project planning efforts. Identifies common areas of concern and assists in identifying a common solution or methodology for addressing the concern.
• Works with programmer or systems analysts to prepare security documentation, as required by the SDM, for FISMA and other information relating to the support of applications processing systems and infrastructure components. Reviews security documentation for individual applications in preparation for Certification & Accreditation
• Trains and mentors other QA Analysts on all facets of the SDM, FISMA, and security, quality assurance methodologies, testing and test documentation preparation, communication methods, and industry best practices.
• May act on behalf of the Manager in conducting unit meetings, attending client meetings and representing the unit/branch/division, making decisions regarding complex quality assurance questions, and participating in a lead capacity on task forces and committees, both internal and external to the Board.
• Develops own professional skills. Maintains awareness of evolving quality assurance methodologies through professional publications and external contacts, and communicates high/her findings to others. Identifies appropriate directions for own professional development, and initiates own activities to bring about that development.

Position Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, or a related discipline, and excellent analytical ability and oral and written communications skills typically acquired through a minimum of five (5) years full-time work experience. Strong knowledge of different application development platforms (web, distributed, mainframe). Thorough knowledge of the System Development Life Cycles. Self-motivation and ability to work well with others. Demonstrated ability to learn quickly about new security tools and how to use them. Experience testing complex applications with various components and writing test plans and detailed test scenarios. Experience with database querying. Ability to multi-task and take direction, handle stringent test deadlines and time and quality pressures, and accept and deliver in a challenging environment. Develops professional skills. Maintains awareness of evolving system development and quality assurance methodologies through professional publications and outside contacts. Ability to share with others the information gained by reviewing professional publications or by communicating with other professionals. Some background knowledge in the financial industry is preferred but not required.

Problem Solving: 

Follows IT standards and procedural documentation. Is often required to assist in solving unique problems for which standard procedures do not exist. Responsible for initiating and developing new standard procedural documentation when needed and maintaining existing documentation when changes occur. Uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the quality assurance approach. Resolves critical and complex problems.

Complexity: 

Uses judgment and analytical ability to work with division managers and staff to quickly resolve compliance issues by identifying and interpreting FISMA guidance. Works on the most complex software development and system deployment efforts. Uses a high degree of creativity and analytical skills. Understands project interdependencies.

Impact of Actions: 

The Analyst’s work is essential to the division’s development efforts and can have a direct effect on the availability and/or performance of critical computer resources used by the client community. Data communications with Reserve Banks may also be impacted by the Analyst’s work.

Communications: 

The Analyst’s duties require a high level of interactive communication in unstructured settings. Contacts vary throughout the division, Board, FR System, and depending on assignment, other regulatory agencies, as well as occasional contacts with higher level officials. The purpose of these contacts is to plan, coordinate, explain, or advise work efforts, or to resolve operational problems by influencing or motivating individuals or groups who may or may not be working toward mutual goals.

A minimum of 4 years of related experience required. Candidates should possess product-centric mindset to turn business needs to product roadmaps. This position requires strong communication skills to advance initiatives and create consensus through clear and concise messaging. Experience in a business relationship management role executing strategic plans and/or project portfolios; Must possess clear, concise, effective, verbal, and written communication; including the ability to effectively communicate with technical personnel, business customers, and management. Requires leadership and negotiation skills and experience/in-depth knowledge of the business analysis and operations, system and business requirements analysis and IT processes and technologies. Demonstrated leadership skills in the areas of strategic planning and decision making, navigating ambiguity, and building trusting relationships.

This position requires demonstrated competencies of strategic agility; decision quality; drive for excellence; analysis; initiative and resourcefulness; ability to learn; technical knowledge; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop collaborative relationships; planning, organizing skills; and a customer and service orientation.

Highly Desirable Experience:

• Experience analyzing a variety of complex issues and finds solutions for problems with little guidance from the supervisor and ability to build and influence relationships. Expected to conduct research into problems, evolving business and technical trends, and network with experts in the industry. Experience working effectively as part of a cross-functional team to solve problems and support change.
• Conducts analysis on business problems with creativity. Demonstrate sound judgment and responsibility. May recommend new approaches to resolving business problems.
• Results focused and able to manage and prioritize multiple initiatives simultaneously.

FR26 Minimum Qualifications

The FR26 Analyst requires three (3) years of related experience.

FR27 Minimum Qualifications

The FR27 Manager requires four (4) years of related experience.

FR28 Minimum Qualification

The FR28 Manager requires five (5) years of related experience.

This position is hybrid, requiring a combination of telework and an in-office presence in Washington, DC.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or application, membership, or service in the uniformed services.

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