An official website of the United States government
This position is located in the QA and Testing Section, Design Division, IT Design and Development Directorate, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
The position description number for this position is 422874.
The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime, compflex or maxiflex work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
Learn more about this agency09/28/2023 to 10/12/2023
$132,368 - $172,075 per year
GS 14
Yes - This permanent position is eligible for 100% distant or local telework. The salary range advertised reflects salary for the Washington DC Locality Area. The actual salary range for candidates outside of the Washington DC Locality Area may differ.
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Not required
No
Permanent - Position
Full-time - Flexitime, Compflex, Maxiflex
Excepted
14
No
No
VAR002346
751839700
Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.
The Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist is responsible for the testing of web sites, web applications, and enterprise applications, and reports to the Head of the Quality Assurance & Testing Section. The incumbent is also responsible for designing test strategies and programs using automated and manual testing methods, working closely with the other roles within the service unit to support testing across the entire software development life cycle. The incumbent will also work with other QA staff and vendors to test and monitor Library systems, serving as a Subject Matter Expert for a variety of QA activities serving as an integrated member of the development team. Additional responsibilities include: management of the performance and automated testing toolsets and environments, ensure project schedules and deadlines are met, managing documentation of testing defects and related tickets, providing updates to the documentation of testing standards, enhancing the testing reporting processes and reports, and helping to evolve the overall QA procedures.
Works with Information Technology (IT) staff and vendors across the Library to develop and maintain QA and testing strategies and programs for Library systems. Provides day-to-day and strategic guidance on QA techniques and processes. Collaborates with scrum team members, developers, and business owners to ensure applications and web sites meet QA standards and use appropriate testing techniques. Coordinates to ensure testing and QA are properly included in all project planning, execution, tracking, and reporting activities. Ensures execution of testing, making sure testing is completed on time and properly documented. Works with the project team to integrate performance and automated testing into the appropriate environment, managing functional testing, defect reporting, etc. Participates in project team meetings, representing role of overall QA and Testing standards and processes for the project. Ensures other team members are aware of and participate in planning for achievement of team goals and objectives. Organizes efforts to develop and implement testing and QA methodologies consistent with technical standards within the directorate and service unit. Works with various project teams, technical leads, and DevOps in setting the technical direction for automated testing tool suite.
As a subject matter expert and technical authority, plans, develops, organizes, administers, evaluates, and coordinates comprehensive software quality assurance strategies and programs for all assigned quality assurance functional areas. Serves as an expert and authority on web site and application quality assurance and quality control related matters, advising management, vendors, and staff on the principles and techniques of QA, Testing, and Quality Control (QC). Performs manual, performance, and automated testing on Library systems, testing functionality, markup, standards compliance, content quality, and other aspects related to QA/QC. Logs and tracks defects and issues. Recommends technical and non-technical solutions to issues and defects. Enforces quality assurance standards via testing and system reviews. Collaborates with various project teams, technical leads and DevOps to plan QA/QC procedures during the planning and across Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) phases. Modifies QA/QC testing procedures to comply with changing institutional and federal standards and policies.
Performs overall, in-depth review of critical phases of quality assurance strategies and plans to provide the directorate and service unit management with information on overall quality, web standards compliance, and suitability for deployment of Library systems. Monitor procedures, methods and techniques to ensure acceptable levels of quality. Coordinates plans for modifications, installations, test and evaluations, and inspections. Quantitatively and/or qualitatively evaluates the effectiveness of quality assurance strategies, programs, and operations in meeting goals and objectives. Establishes viable metrics for evaluating program effectiveness with the goals of the quality assurance programs.
Conditions of Employment:
Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
Knowledge of web development/computer software quality assurance (QA) principles, concepts, techniques and methods.**
Ability to develop, lead, and manage a quality assurance (QA) and testing program.**
Ability to work collaboratively with others.
Ability to prepare written quality assurance/testing documentation and reports.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- quality assurance, statistics, mathematics, production management, industrial management, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, physical sciences, textiles, or other fields related to the position.
You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.
Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).
Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.
Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period.
The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.
A “Not to Exceed“ (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.
Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.
For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: https://loc.gov/static/portals/careers/documents/LCD-9-420.1%E2%80%93Merit-Selection-Plan_LC-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf.
Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent).
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. The program does not accept certification from health care providers. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/751839700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Library of Congress serves the Congress in fulfilling its duties and preserves and promotes knowledge and creativity for the benefit of the American people. It is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the world's largest library, with more than 158 million items in its physical collections (including books, manuscripts, prints, photos, film, video, and sound recordings) and over 37 million items online. Located primarily on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the Library is the home of the U.S. Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Law Library of Congress, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
