The Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education (CTE) changes lives through knowledge that matters by designing, developing, and implementing learner-centered, technology-enhanced solutions to ensure equal access to education in classrooms and work settings across the globe. Our work at CTE involves many aspects of technology and innovation in education, from online learning platforms to systems that communicate or store data to digital tools educators need to successfully increase positive outcomes for all children, including those with disabilities. Our work focuses on providing technology solutions and help with landscape analyses, technical assistance, professional learning, and applied research techniques to build organizations’ capacity to promote inclusionary practices and maintain equity for all learners.

CTE is seeking a QRIS Senior QA Analyst to support the Maryland EXCELS program. Maryland EXCELS is a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education, designed to assess and enhance the quality of early childhood and school-age programs across the state.

This role is responsible for ensuring the quality and reliability of software systems through comprehensive testing and analysis. Key responsibilities include requirements analysis, test planning, test execution, and detailed documentation of results.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise in software testing along with excellent customer service, communication, and project management skills. Success in this role requires the ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders, communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats, and manage multiple priorities in a structured, disciplined manner.

The Senior QA Analyst is responsible for the planning, design, and execution of software testing on a wide range of applications that would range from moderately complex to complex.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project lead and project team to plan, estimate, schedule, and execute testing for new applications.
• Review, learn and understand assigned areas of functionality as necessary to properly test software changes/enhancements.
• Review user requirements and documents.
• Develop and execute test scripts/cases based on business and/or functional requirements.
• Identify, report, document and track defect/bug issues.
• Validate that the user expectations are achieved during the testing process.
• Report clearly the status of assigned tasks and testing efforts to managers and business stakeholders.
• Capture, analyze, and summarize complex test results.
• Complete work successfully within allotted timeframes.
• Lead documenting product functionality for both internal and external users.
• Collaborate with development staff, business analysts and QA team to determine appropriate fixes to identified bugs.
• Implement the planning of the testing approach and determine level of effort to complete the software testing.
• Ensure risks to test plan are identified and alternative solutions are utilized to maintain quality and timeline.
• Collaborate with the QA Manager and/or other departments to ensure projects are successfully completed.
• Mentor and coach less experienced QA Analysts in testing methodologies, practices, and techniques.
• Keep up to date with industry trends and apply to projects as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above

• Support QA duties by assisting team members in the Senior QA Analyst role, including reviewing incoming tickets, creating and refining development tickets, and coordinating communication with all stakeholders to ensure timely and effective resolution.
• Plan, design, and execute comprehensive software testing activities in alignment with the software development life cycle, ensuring high-quality releases and timely delivery.
• Participate actively in key project and operational meetings, including Change Control Board (CCB) sessions, daily standups, and weekly status updates, contributing to a collaborative and solutions-focused team environment.
• Facilitate clear and consistent communication between technical teams, business stakeholders, and external partners to support transparency, alignment, and effective issue resolution.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Three years of related experience with computer systems and applications.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school degree/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Minimum of two years of experience in websites (WordPress and WP engine) and web applications testing.
• Knowledge/experience related to MSDE’s implementation of QRIS through Maryland EXCELS, Maryland Accreditation and supporting applications like Find a Program and websites (Maryland EXCELS and Maryland Toolkit).
• Three years of software testing.
• Two years of websites and web applications testing.

Technical Skills

• Acceptance Testing - Intermediate
• Agile Methodology - Deveolping
• JIRA - Developing
• Regression Testing - Intermediate
• Scenario Testing - Intermediate
• Software Development Life Cycle - Developing
• Software Documentation - Developing
• Software Package - Developing
• Unit Testing - Intermediate
• User Acceptance Testing - Intermediate

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Sr. IT QA Analyst
Job Posting Title (Working Title): QRIS Senior QA Analyst (Center for Technology in Education)
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PD
Starting Salary Range: $62,900 - $110,100 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Remote
Department name: Center for Technology in Education (CTE)
Personnel area: School of Education