Test DHHS

Location: Augusta, ME

Onsite Flexibility: Remote

• Position Type: Contract
• Start: ASAP
• Pay Rate: $58.99 $ 59.00 / Hour (USD)
• Schedule: On-call, 0 20 hours per week. May work 40 hours per week for 2 3 weeks around bi-annual releases.
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

The Project Management Office is seeking an experienced Tester to help support Maine's WIC program. Maine WIC is part of a global network of 88 WIC programs and participates in a consortium using the SPIRIT MIS system under the State Agency Model (SAM), alongside 11 tribes and 6 other states. As the contract holder and a voting member, Maine has key testing responsibilities for the system.

Operationally, WIC services include conducting nutrition risk assessments, assigning food packages, making referrals, providing education, entering data, and issuing benefits via EBT cards, with optional in-store shopping assistance for participants.

SPIRIT operates on a structured release cycle with two major releases per year, sometimes followed by corrective releases or hotfixes.

The Tester is a member of a small team that plans, constructs, and executes User Acceptance Tests (UAT) based on CDP-generated major, minor, and hotfix functional repairs included in the release document and other software products. The test cycle includes interface testing with the EBT Processor and regression testing to confirm no harm or unintended consequences from release to release. The preferred candidate will be a Tester who is self-directed and independent, recognizes scenarios that may require data setup by technical application staff, and is confident in requesting the data to support successful pass/fail testing.

The Tester manages their time precisely to complete UAT based on the published schedule. The Tester will report results using established tools and user group processes. The Tester plans and executes tests, reports results, and may uncover additional issues or bugs through rigorous cycle-to-cycle application regression testing. Testers have or gain significant knowledge of business applications.

Program Management and Coordination:

• Lead all efforts relating to testing and/or coordination of application testing tasks with the WIC Technology Manager.
• Plan and review test models for product test, project, and release control (plans, data, and scripts).
• Plan product test with Functional Spirit users, the WIC Director, Technical MaineIT Resources, team members, WIC Technical Manager, the support Maintenance and Enhancement Provider (CDP), other software providers, and the Spirit User Group (SUG).
• Coordinate the development, updating, documentation, and maintenance of testing standards and procedures that exceed reproduction steps in Dev Ops.
• Develop options, recommendations, and documentation to assist WIC Helpdesk Team members in resolving user-reported Spirit application issues received by the helpdesk.
• Communicate effectively with customers and software/hardware suppliers supporting the State and Local Agency users as appropriate.
• Develop and publish an accurate estimate of time and resources needed to complete UAT objectives and report results.
• Anticipate, identify, track, and resolve issues and risks affecting own work and work of the Test and/or Application Teams.
• Develop contingency plans as necessary.
• Research problems before approaching the MaineIT application group resources or the Test Team Lead for assistance.
• Assist and guide other business testers and functional users as needed.
• Update application user guides as applicable and prepare user-friendly communication pieces that inform users of verified functional changes in the Spirit application and other technical initiatives.
• Act as primary point of contact for issue reporting and testing requests submitted by WIC State and Local Agency Users, CDP support, the Spirit User Group, and EBT Provider.
• Attend mandatory weekly scheduled Spirit application calls, such as the Change Control Work Group, Spirit Tester Call, and Morning Call sessions, to be informed of activities and testing requirements.
• Assist in managing and directing technical tasks such as set up data requests, table updates or requesting scheduled processes be run on or out of schedule to support testing initiatives and drive results.
• Develop understanding of system business requirements supported by the Test team.
• Develop, update, and maintain testing standards, procedures, and Maine WIC Spirit Application user training guides as needed.
• Request additional Team support as needed to complete tasks and processes by balancing team capacity and schedule.
• Communicate accurate and useful status updates.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Complete assigned tasks with a high degree of quality and in a self-directed manner.
• Strong communication skills, both written and…