QA Automation Engineer

Summary

IT positions located in the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Office of Technology and Survey Processing (OTSP) provide IT support to all aspects of BLS data development initiatives. BLS measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making.

Duties

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. 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 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)

Education

Education may not be substituted for experience at this level. How You Will Be Evaluated

The results of your application will be determined by a review of required documentation, responses on the application questionnaire, and responses to the online assessment, including evaluation of the following competencies: Accountability Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Application questionnaire: Applicants are required to complete a questionnaire as part of the application process. To preview the questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052580. Online assessments: Applicants are required to complete a USA Hire assessment on job-related competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics). This assessment includes a cut score based on a minimum level of required proficiency in critical competencies. Applicants must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. Those who score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment will not be considered for the position. Category Rating: Applicants will be assessed and placed into an appropriate category as described below. Click here for Evaluation details. Click Application of Veterans Preference for more information. Category A - Meets the minimum qualifications requirements and demonstrates superior proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position. Category B - Meets the minimum qualifications requirements and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in applying critical competencies required by this position. Category C - Meets the minimum qualifications requirements and demonstrates familiarity in applying critical competencies required by this position. The information you provide may be verified by a review of your paid, unpaid, and volunteer experience, as it demonstrates the competencies or skills required for the position to be filled. Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment conducted by HR specialists, subject matter experts, or panel members and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLE(S) ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligible(s) who are Category B or higher will be considered well-qualified. Be sure to review the eligibility questions to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation. Other Information

Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements. The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION 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 for more information on Pay, Leave, and Workforce Flexibilities. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions. All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.