QA Automation Engineer

This is not a software development position. The role focuses on maintaining system reliability and sustaining existing systems rather than building new software capabilities. OTSP QA Automation Engineers are responsible for the following: Software Delivery: Leading end-to-end software delivery in an Agile and/or Agile-Waterfall environment.

Using CI/CD platforms (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI) to automate builds and deployments and apply DevOps practices to strengthen security and delivery.

Database Configuration Management: Running SQL scripts in Oracle production environments Following strict configuration and change management processes to ensure system integrity and traceability Using project tracking tools (e.g. JIRA, Agility, Redmine), version control platforms (e.g. GitLab), and database development tools (e.g.

Toad, SQL Developer). System Validation: Conducting system testing, including web applications, databases, and integrated components, to validate functionality and reliability.

Identifying and documenting issues and risks, maintaining technical artifacts, and developing clear requirements and user-friendly guides for both technical and non-technical staff.

Qualification requirements include meeting minimum proficiency levels for required competencies and demonstrating one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, i.e. GS-12, in the Federal Service. Competencies Attention to Detail - is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

(Advanced-level proficiency or higher).

Customer Service - works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.

(Advanced-level proficiency or higher). Decision Making - makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. (Intermediate-level proficiency or higher).

Information Management - identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems. (Advanced-level proficiency or higher).

Interpersonal Skills - shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations.

(Advanced-level proficiency or higher).

Oral Communication - expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

(Intermediate-level proficiency or higher). Problem Solving - identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. (Advanced-level proficiency or higher).

Teamwork - encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. (Advanced-level proficiency or higher).

Technical Competence - uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. (Advanced-level proficiency or higher).

Specialized Experience Specialized experience serves as evidence that an applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies required for successful performance in the position.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as one year of the following: Demonstrated experience supporting end-to-end SDLC operations across Agile-Waterfall, Agile, or DevOps environments.

Examples of experience indicators at this level may include supporting any of the following: Agile flexibility (i.e. iterative-based work with Agile practices) and Waterfall controls (e.g. change requests, structured release gating, deployment checklists); or Agile (e.g. Scrum, SAFe); or DevOps automation (e.g.

CI pipelines, automated testing, environment deployments)