The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse. This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.

The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Visit our website at: www.sos.wa.gov.

Information Technology (IT) is a core service and the foundational framework of the Office of the Secretary of State. The IT division impacts virtually every employee, program, department and the vast majority of the agency’s diverse external stakeholders. Currently, the IT Division is comprised of nine(9) programs: 1) Architecture 2) Applications Development 3) Web Development 4) Network Operations 5) Helpdesk Support 6) IT Project Management 7) Project Management Office 8) VoteWa 9) Digital Archives.

Develops and documents automated testing frameworks, tools, and processes:
Tasks include:

• Creates and maintains automation test code and framework to cover all layers of application components such as database, API and user interface
• Creates / refines internal testing processes
• Develops and documents a process for executing automated tests on applications as part of a Continuous Integration strategy

• Reviews business requirements and technical documentation ensuring completeness, testability and utilizes for test planning activities
• Creates automated acceptance tests to validate user story Acceptance Criteria
• Reviews and triages test failures; reproduces, debugs, isolates problems and verifies fixes
• Designs and executes regression testing suites
• Designs, executes system load and performance tests
• Uses SQL to prepare data for testing, validates data integrity, creates scripts to compare and validate data results from testing
• Develops and documents test plans and test cases

• Uses TFS to enter and track bugs
• Maintains an organized library of tests and knows which ones to execute for various levels of testing depending on the bugs to be tested (i.e. have a set of “smoke tests”, a set of positive functionality UI tests, a set of failure UI tests, etc.)
• Produces accurate and concise bug reports

• Works closely with internal teams to understand and document system requirements
• Works with the Corporations development team to develop and execute automated acceptance tests for user stories delivered within agile sprints
• Works with Infrastructure and security teams and executes tests to verify scheduled windows updates, application security and any infrastructure configuration changes to the production and pre-production environments
• Documents clear testing criteria, working closely with the elections business teams
• Communicates test progress, test results, and other relevant information to project stakeholders and Corporations teams

• Subject matter expert for staff, vendor(s), and customers to assist in troubleshooting application testing issues
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Four years of information technology experience such as: consulting, analyzing, designing, programming, installing and/or maintaining computer software applications; providing customer or technical support in information technology disciplines
  (At least two years’ experience independently working on a system or project for a large workgroup or single business function in an SQL environment)
• Efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential functions of the position
• Ability to read and write the English language

• Experience in application development using .Net, Visual Studio and TFS and Git
• Experience independently working on a system or project with a Microsoft SQL Server backend
• Experience with test automation including functional, API, and load testing
• Experience with software testing methodologies and patterns
• Experience with agile development
• Experience with continuous integration
• Knowledge of:
  • UI Automation
  • Selenium or similar UI testing tools

Working Conditions:
In this position, the incumbent works primarily in an office environment where sitting for long periods of time and extensive use of the keyboard is required. The standard work hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Incumbent must be willing and able to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week to support critical SQL problem solving and resolution. Coordination of personal work schedule with that of the team may be required to ensure consistent availability. Periodic travel to local offices is required. Primary equipment usage is limited to personal computer and telephone. Use of specialized SQL software and related tools will be required. The incumbent must have the ability to move and maneuver objects weighing approximately 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation. The incumbent must also be able to listen attentively, identify issues, provide options, address requests and resolve complaints or conflicts. The incumbent must have ability to notice, interpret, and anticipate others' concerns and feelings, and to communicate this awareness empathetically to others. The incumbent in this position must be able to represent the Office of the Secretary of State in a competent, confident, and professional manner, including professional dress. Remote work is allowed per office policy, however, periodic travel to local offices is required. The office has the right to revoke the remote only designation at discretion.

Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), employees at the Office of the Secretary of State must be fully vaccinated by their first day of employment. Your vaccine status will be verified by Human Resources prior to your first day of employment. Please contact the HR Consultant overseeing this recruitment if you need information on medical or religious accommodation at (360) 480-4871.

How to Apply:

• To be considered for this position you must attach the following:
  • Current resume
• You must complete the supplemental questions at the end of this application. Incomplete responses such as "see resume" will not be considered. In addition, if the employer you identify in the additional information section is not included on your resume or work experience profile and/or you do not identify an employer, you will not receive credit.
• All veterans must include a copy of your DD214 to receive preference in the hiring process. You must black out your social security number before attaching it to your application.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Must have current Washington state driver's license or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation
• Must be able to pass a criminal justice records check and a criminal check that meets requirements of the Department of Corrections.
• Must provide three professional references. Personal references will not be considered.