Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate)

State of Ohio; Kentucky; On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Ohio is seeking a Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate) to support statewide testing and AI-enabled workflows. This role focuses on ensuring system reliability, regression coverage, and validated functionality across critical applications.

You will work with Business Process Analysts, Software Development Specialists, automation engineers, and project stakeholders to review requirements, prepare test data, and execute manual and automated tests for stable

Qualifications

• 18 months of work experience or training in developing/modifying programs, testing, debugging, and analysis/design.
• Successful completion of IT Apprenticeship program at designated agency.
• Completion of an associate core program in computer science or information systems.
• The equivalent of the minimum class qualifications for employment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with eliciting, documenting, and analyzing business requirements for IT solutions.
• Create IT process flows and diagrams to support solution design.
• Validate requirements to ensure IT projects succeed.
• Support testing tasks, documentation review, and basic software development activities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure clear communication and aligned expectations.

Skills

Software Development/Implementation

Active Learning

Collaboration

Teamwork

Written Communication

Education

Associate core program in computer science or information systems

IT Apprenticeship program (designated agency)

Tools

QA Tools

Job description

Job Description - Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate) (260006WP)

Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate) ( 260006WP )

Organization

Job & Family Services

Agency Contact Name and Information : [e-mail]

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO

Compensation : $26.54

Schedule

Full-time

Union : OCSEA

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

Who We Are

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

Public service is an honorable way to serve the community in a hands‑on dedicated way. You can make a difference in someone’s world!

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.

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‑time 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.

PN(s): 20041064.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full‑time and part‑time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) &Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

The candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

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 $26.54per 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.

Pay Range 30

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

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

Supplemental Information

Selection Priority Notice

Current employees of ODJFS in the OCSEA union have selection rights before all other applicants. Applications from all other candidates will only be considered if an internal OCSEA applicant is not selected for this position.

ADA Notice

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact [e-mail].

Background check information

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Some positions may require drug testing and/or fingerprinting. Criminal convictions do not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration.

Sponsorship/H-1B Information

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Selection Process Information

Final candidates will be required to participate in an in‑person assessment at 30 E Broad St, Columbus OH 43215 prior to offer of employment.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug‑free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non‑medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.