Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate)

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services seeks a Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate) to support statewide testing, validate AI-enabled workflows, and ensure software quality across multiple initiatives.

You will work with Business Process Analysts, Software Development Specialists, automation engineers, and stakeholders to prepare test data, execute tests, and defend test results. Ohio-based travel may be required, with a focus on Columbus, Akron, or Dayton locations.

Qualifications

• 18 months of work experience or training in developing/modifying programs, testing, debugging, or analysis.
• Successful completion of IT Apprenticeship program at designated agency.
• Completion of an associate core program in computer science or information systems.

Responsibilities

• Elicit, document, and analyze business requirements for IT solutions.
• Facilitate requirements sessions and break down problems into work units.
• Create IT process flows and support solution design.
• Validate requirements for successful IT projects.
• Document technical information and ensure clear communication among team members.
• Assist with testing tasks, documentation review, and basic software development activities.

Skills

Machine Learning

Active Learning

Collaboration

Growth Mindset

Teamwork

Written Communication

Education

Associate core program in computer science or information systems

Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment

IT Apprenticeship program completion

Tools

Software Testing Tools

Job description

Office of Information Services

The Office of Information Services (OIS) works to support the business functions and the delivery of health, human, and employment services through the application of information technology. OIS supports the delivery of programs to millions of recipients through the development and round-the-clock operation of automated information systems. Due to the number of end-users and technologies supported, OIS is one of the largest and most complex IT organizations within Ohio state government. Learn more about the Office by visiting the ODJFS OIS webpage.

What You Will Do

The Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate) supports statewide testing needs by ensuring system reliability, maintaining regression coverage, and validating functionality for applications that depend on AI-supported workflows. This role provides focused testing expertise that strengthens stability, protects critical services, and upholds agency QA standards.

You will work closely with Business Process Analysts, Software Development Specialists, automation engineers, and project stakeholders. The work involves reviewing requirements, identifying system impacts, preparing test data, and executing both manual and automated tests. You will help validate features, workflows, and integration points so that each release is stable, accurate, and aligned with QA expectations. Collaboration, careful analysis, and clear communication are important as you support testing activities across multiple initiatives.

The position also includes learning and applying development tools, reviewing documentation, facilitating discussions, and supporting basic software development tasks. Your contributions help ensure high-quality outcomes, consistent regression testing, and smooth coordination with Testing and Business Analyst AI agents.

Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Assist Business Process Analysts and senior Software Development Specialists with eliciting, documenting, and analyzing business requirements for RPA, chatbot, and other IT solutions.
• Help facilitate requirements gathering sessions by defining the approach and breaking down business problems into smaller units of work.
• Create IT process flows and flowcharts to support solution design.
• Validate requirements to ensure successful completion of IT projects.
• Assist with exchanging technical information between project team members and stakeholders.
• Learn and apply standard tools and techniques used in software development.
• Facilitate discussions among stakeholders and help ensure clear communication and aligned expectations.
• Assist with testing tasks, documentation review, and basic software development activities such as module modifications or debugging.
• Support senior specialists with analysis, documentation accuracy checks, and software implementation while following agency and state IT security policies.

Schedule

Full-time.

Hours

Standard workdays are Monday through Friday. Hours are between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Location

This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS Facility in one of the following cities - Columbus, Akron, or Dayton. This determination will take into account the proximity to the applicant's home address.
James A. Rhodes State Officer Tower - 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Akron - 172 S. Broadway Street, Akron, OH 44308
Dayton - 6680 Poe Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414

Travel

Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

Option 1

• 18 months of work experience or training in any combination of the following: developing and/or modifying programs for computer applications, performing testing & debugging & assisting with analysis & design.

Option 2

• Successful completion of IT Apprenticeship program at designated agency.

Option 3

• Completion of associate core program in computer science or information systems.

Option 4

• The equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Pay Information

This position is in the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 30. Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be the minimum salary of that pay range (step 1, currently $26.54 per hour). These ranges provide a standardized pathway for pay increases. With continued employment, new hires move to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. Cost of Living Adjustments increase wages in these ranges each fiscal year. The current step progression wages are in the table below.

Hourly:
$26.54
$27.56
$28.76
$30.10
$31.47
$32.84
$34.53

Annual:
$55,203
$57,325
$59,821
$62,608
$65,458
$68,307
71,822

Months of Employment:
At Hire
6 Months
18 Months
30 Months
42 Months
54 Months
66 Months

Organization

Job & Family Services

Agency Contact Name and Information

[e-mail]

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO

Classified Indicator

Classified

Primary Job Skill

Software Development/Implementation

Technical Skills

Basic Documentation, Machine Learning, Information Technology, Software development/implementation

Professional Skills

Active Learning, Collaboration, Growth Mindset, Teamwork, Written Communication

Primary Technology

Software Testing/ Quality Assurance Tools

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through the following programs:

• Cash and Food Assistance
• Employment Services and Workforce Development
• Unemployment Insurance
• Adult Protective Services
• Child Support

Guiding Principles

• We will be a leader in customer satisfaction.
• We will have a reputation that attracts and retains talented, diverse, and dedicated employees.
• We get better at what we do every day.