Quality Assurance Tester (Software Development Associate)
About the role
The Office of Information Services (OIS) supports business functions and the delivery of health, human, and employment services through information technology. OIS develops and operates automated information systems that serve millions of recipients, making it one of the largest IT organizations within Ohio state government. 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 works closely with Business Process Analysts, Software Development Specialists, automation engineers, and project stakeholders to review requirements, identify system impacts, prepare test data, and execute both manual and automated tests.
Responsibilities
- Assist Business Process Analysts and senior Software Development Specialists with eliciting, documenting, and analyzing business requirements for RPA, chatbot, and other IT solutions.
- Facilitate requirements‑gathering sessions by defining approaches 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.
- Exchange technical information between project team members and stakeholders.
- Learn and apply standard tools and techniques used in software development.
- Facilitate discussions among stakeholders to 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.
Requirements
- Option 1 – Minimum 18 months of work experience or training in any combination of developing/modifying programs for computer applications, performing testing & debugging, and assisting with analysis & design.
- Option 2 – Successful completion of an IT Apprenticeship program at the designated agency.
- Option 3 – Completion of an associate‑level core program in computer science or information systems.
- Option 4 – The equivalent of the Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Schedule
Full‑time. Standard workdays are Monday through Friday, with hours 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 Ohio cities, determined by proximity to the applicant’s home address:
- Columbus – 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.
Pay
The position is in the State of Ohio’s OCSEA Pay Schedule, Pay Range 30. Starting salary is the minimum of the range (Step 1) at $26.54 per hour ($55,203 annually). Employees progress to the next step after six months and then annually, with cost‑of‑living adjustments each fiscal year. Current step progression:
- Step 1 – $26.54/hr ($55,203 annual)
- Step 2 – $27.56/hr ($57,325 annual)
- Step 3 – $28.76/hr ($59,821 annual)
- Step 4 – $30.10/hr ($62,608 annual)
- Step 5 – $31.47/hr ($65,458 annual)
- Step 6 – $32.84/hr ($68,307 annual)
- Step 7 – $34.53/hr ($71,822 annual)
Organization Overview
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) supports Ohioans and their families through programs such as Cash and Food Assistance, Employment Services and Workforce Development, Unemployment Insurance, Adult Protective Services, and Child Support. Public service is presented as an honorable way to make a direct, hands‑on difference in the community. Guiding principles include leadership in customer satisfaction, attracting and retaining talented and diverse employees, and continuous improvement.
Contact: odjfscareers@jfs.ohio.gov