AddressThe Australian Bureau of Statistics is looking to fill one Test Practice Lead role and various Test Manager roles in the Business Analysis, Testing and DevOps section of the Technology & Security Division (TSD).
The role of testing and quality assurance practices at the ABS focuses on ensuring software and solutions implemented is of high quality, fit-for-purpose and fit-for-use.
These are permanent ongoing, and non-ongoing positions, with hybrid model of working from home and the office applies.
About the roles
As a Test Practice Lead your typical responsibilities will be:
- guiding test team members in improving their testing techniques, reporting skills, programming abilities and familiarity with tools through a Community of Practice and other initiatives
- providing short-term, immediate coaching to team members, offering practical guidance, addressing challenges and helping testers enhance their performance
- ensuring that quality assurance practices are followed
- managing test team resources efficiently, balancing project demands and available test resources
- contributing to strategic planning by aligning testing efforts with business objectives
- evaluating and ensuring the quality of products or services provided by external suppliers
- providing leadership in establishing Quality Engineering principles and practices in the ABS, fostering a quality driven culture across all teams that contribute towards building in quality
- researching and networking to identify opportunities for improving practice.
As a Test Manager your typical responsibilities will be:
- developing or adapting and implementing overarching test strategies for projects/programs, covering the entire testing lifecycle, and including different aspects of functional and non-functional testing, accurately identifying the most effective mix of manual, automation and performance test strategies needed for successful delivery
- creating test plans according to delivery methodology (waterfall, agile, hybrid), and according to the objective of the project, activity or release
- preparing and validating testing estimates, including identifying resource requirements, to inform project planning and allocation of personnel
- leading a small team of Test Analysts and coordinating with other teams to ensure the test strategy and Test plan objectives are achieved
- working collaboratively with the broader ABS testing cohort to establish common and good practice methods and techniques.
What we are looking for (selection criteria)
To be suitable as a Test Practice Lead or Test Manager, you should have most or all the following skills, qualities, and experience:
- a track record of success as a Test Manager in agile projects, leading in an environment of ambiguity and change
- extensive experience in the development of key test related artefacts including:
- appropriate manual, automation and performance test strategies which represent the entire testing lifecycle as well as different aspects of functional and non-functional testing
- test plans according to delivery methodology (waterfall, agile, hybrid), and according to the objective of the project, activity or release
- test Summary Reports or equivalent
- testing estimates, including identifying resource requirements, to inform project planning and allocation of personnel.
- excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and engage effectively with various stakeholders
- effective leadership skills and experience coaching, mentoring or managing staff, including identifying the professional development needs of yourself and others
- demonstrated ability to promote and align to common and good practice methods and techniques, and to identify and pursue opportunities for improved capability
- a commitment to upholding the ABS and APS values, adhering to the APS code of conduct and employment principles.
In addition, the Test Practice Lead should also have most or all the following skills, qualities, and experience:
- ability to work collaboratively with organisational or professional Testing Communities of Practice to assess and improve testing capability in line with industry best practice and the organisational strategy, establishing best practice methods and techniques and consulting on selection of supporting services, products and tools
- ability to manage test team resources efficiently, balancing project demands and available test resources.
Desirable experience/qualifications in the following will be highly regarded:
- ISTQB Test Manager certification
- tertiary qualifications in ICT, computer science, software engineering or related discipline
- project management experience/qualifications
- experience working with Agile or Scrum methodologies
- experience with ConfirmIT, Pega or Informatica technologies
- experience / accreditation in AWS / Azure cloud technologies
- experience with ETL, Microsoft SQL Server, SSIS, SSRS reports and SSAS cubes
- familiarity with data visualisation software, e.g. QuickSight, PowerBI
- experience with Quality Engineering principles and practices.
How to apply
To apply, you will need to upload your current resume, provide referee details, and respond to the following (up to 750 words):
"Using the selection criteria as a guide, provide one or two work-related examples and clearly articulate what your role and contribution was, and what outcome was achieved."
Note: If you wish to apply for more than one of the roles listed in this process, you will have the opportunity to nominate your preferred role during the application process. You will only need to submit one response; however, you will need to ensure your response covers the broader range of required skills and experiences.
Applications close at 11:30 p.m. (AEST), Wednesday 29th May 2024.
