QA Automation Engineer

Bureau of Labor Statistics

$95K — $115K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12 level in Federal Service.
  • Proficiency in Agile, Agile-Waterfall, or DevOps environments.
  • Advanced skills in Attention to Detail, Customer Service, and Problem Solving.
  • Experience in database management and configuration processes.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end software delivery in Agile/Agile-Waterfall settings.
  • Automate builds and deployments using CI/CD platforms like Jenkins or GitLab CI.
  • Run SQL scripts in Oracle production environments.
  • Apply strict change management to ensure system integrity.
  • Conduct system testing for web applications and databases.
  • Document issues, risks, and maintain technical artifacts for systems.

Benefits

  • Participation in telework as determined by management.
  • Incentives and hiring flexibilities offered by the Federal government.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Full Job Description
Duties

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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.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.


Qualifications

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

  1. Attention to Detail - is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. (Advanced-level proficiency or higher).
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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).
  7. 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).
  8. 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).
  9. 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)


Education

Education may not be substituted for experience at this level.

Additional information

For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy.

Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.

The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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