HRPF: PositionDescription-JOB:REW
Learning Resources
Information Technology Services
Applications and Systems Support
Position Description (PD)
Senior Test Consultant
Continuing Position Number: 17995 June 2014
Our Vision
We have a vision of people prepared to make a difference: tangata tū, tangata ora.
Our mission is to contribute to society through knowledge in chosen areas of endeavour by promoting a world class learning environment known for attracting people with the greatest potential to make a difference.
We seek to be known as a University where knowledge is created, critiqued, disseminated and protected and where research, teaching and learning take place in ways that are inspirational and innovative. Looking towards 2023, the 150th anniversary of our founding, the primary components of our strategy are to Challenge, Concentrate and Connect.
Purpose of the Learning Resources Portfolio
Learning Resources supports staff and students at the University of Canterbury by equipping them with materials for their learning, teaching and research needs, and by providing a world-class campus environment in which to use them.
Learning Resources links together the Library, Information and Technology Services, Campus Services, Capital Works, Project Management Office and Engineering Services to create a comprehensive learning environment.
Purpose of Information Technology Services
The role of Information Technology Services (ITS) is two-fold, the first being to provide a broad range of enterprise information and technologies and secondly to manage the introduction, development and support of innovative services and solutions that enable a world class Learning and Teaching
environment.
Role, Purpose and Scope
The role of Senior Test Consultant is to:
Work closely with customers, business analysts, developers, tester/s to develop testing strategy, test cases, validate accuracy and integrity of results, and assist with the implementation of successfully tested software/applications.
Key Relationships
Reporting Relationships
Responsible to: Chief Information Officer
Reports to: Applications Support Team Leader (Solution Design and QA) Responsible for: Nil
Functional Relationships
The Senior Test Consultant will develop and maintain excellent relationships with the following colleagues, customers and clients for the purposes stated below:
Internal Relationships
Who does the job holder work or
interact with inside the University The purpose and frequency of these interactions is: Applications and Systems Support
team Regular liaison to transition issues, release management, quality assurance from projects to operational environment performance. Receive and provide knowledge transfer
Learning Resources clients, team
leaders and Managers Regular liaison to ensure seamless delivery of integrated business solutions/applications, management and support services for these applications and systems
Learning Resources Project
Management Office Regular contact as necessary to discuss or liaise on relevant projects, methodologies, issues and administration Business Analysts and Project
Managers As required relating to the testing activities for projects or/and Business as usual Other University staff To advise and guide staff, when required, as part of user
acceptance testing of solution functionality
External Relationships
Who does the job holder work or
interact with outside the University The purpose and frequency of these interactions is: Consultants and contractors Ad-hoc contact to assist testing with existing systems
Salary Range
This position is continuous full-time (nominally 37.5 hours per week = 1.0 FTE). This position is in Band 6.
Delegations
Human Resources
Required to allocate and monitor workflow, train and guide staff.
Financial – Budgetary and Expenditure Limits
Budget Expenditure
• No authority to commit to expenditure
Purchase Orders
• No authority to approve or issue purchase orders
Purchase Card (P-Card)
• No authority to use a Purchase Card (P-Card)
Correspondence
• Authority to sign external correspondence
Key Result Areas
1. Mentoring and Support
Outcome:
To lead and support other testers with technical assistance and mentoring.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Provide day to day guidance and support to other testers, including technical expertise, across a range of tasks, systems, and procedures.
2. Assist in ensuring appropriate flow of testing workload and escalate to team leader as required. 3. Ensure regular updating of testing knowledge to other testers.
4. Assist as appropriate with personal development needs of other testers. 5. Guide and assist less experienced testers, and quality check their work. 2. Testing Framework/Methodology
Outcome:
To develop and maintain a robust testing framework/methodology which contributes to the implementation of high quality solutions and software.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Develop and maintain an appropriate testing framework/methodology.
2. Develop, maintain and document associated testing processes and procedures.
3. Ensure appropriate documentation is maintained with regards to test use cases and expected results, for each solution.
3. Test Planning
Outcome:
To develop test plans and test cases, set up test environment, create test data.
3. Set up effective test environment/s.
4. Examine inputs to and outputs from the system or procedures in development. 5. Prepare test data, scripts and manage testing regime.
6. Document test plans and test cases.
7. Ensure appropriate system testing is carried out in addition to individual component testing. 8. Obtain user commitment sign-off of and facilitate User Acceptance Testing.
9. Support the development and maintenance of a regression testing regime. 4. Test Execution
Outcome:
To run tests and report on the results.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Test system functionality. 2. Document defects.
3. Retain test results. 5. Defect Management
Outcome:
To maintain a current defect list, track defects and work with Project Manager and customers to prioritise defects and ensure timely resolution.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Identify defects correctly during testing, by communicating with developers to ensure full expected understanding of functionality is fully understood.
2. Maintaining a nominated defect register (TFS) and make ensure developers are aware of them. 3. Provide summary defect reports of defects to Project Manager and customer/s.
4. Verifyication of defect fixes to defects. 6. Adherence to Policies and Standards
Outcome:
To ensure that testing activities are executed in adherence to established policies and standards.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Lead testing policies and standard discussions with tester/s.
2. Ensure that test activities conform to established policies and standards including Applications and Systems Support processes, test standards and Web Policy.
3. Lead the development and maintenance of test standards and procedures. 4. Ensure documentation is kept in an orderly, secure and current manner. 7. Maintain and Manage Test Environments
Outcome:
To keep test environments and documents up to date with system development.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Update test environments to accurately reflect live system.
2. Adjust test scripts and procedures to match expected/designed functionality.
3. Change test scripts to match system changes due to authorised changes in requirements. 4. Ensure test scripts and procedures for affected systems are also changed.
8. University Service
Outcome:
The University is assisted with the attainment of its strategic objectives through the provision of commitment and contribution to the wider wellbeing of Learning Resources.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Participate in projects in line with Learning Resources’ strategic objectives.
2. Keep current and comply with UC systems, policies and procedures and relevant legislation, and constantly look for ways to improve processes and procedures.
3. Contribute to the University’s image as a good place to work and study through the provision of high quality, professional services and showing courtesy and respect in interactions.
4. Demonstrate an honest respect for and appreciation of biculturalism and diversity by supporting fair treatment and equal opportunities for all.
5. Contribute to the sustainability efforts of the University through the responsible use of resources and equipment.
6. Demonstrate commitment to providing students with an educational environment that incorporates the UC Graduate Attributes employability and entrepreneurship, community
engagement, internationalisation and contribution to a bi-cultural New Zealand in a multi-cultural society.
7. Attend annual business planning meetings and align work plans with the goals and objectives of the department.
8. Demonstrate commitment to own professional development, taking advantage of learning opportunities and engaging fully in PD&R process.
9. Health and Safety
Outcome:
A safe and healthy working and learning environment is maintained at all times.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Comply with Occupational Health and Safety Legislation and Regulations.
2. Observe all University of Canterbury safe work policies, procedures and instructions.
3. Take responsibility for your own health and safety and ensure no action or inaction on your own part harms others in the workplace.
10. Projects or Other Duties
Outcome:
To carry out other duties which may reasonably be required by the Applications Support Team Leader (Solution Design and QA) from time to time in the course of the University’s business and which fit the role’s purpose as stated, and for which the position holder is qualified or has received adequate training or instruction.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Provide backup support for other staff in the area 2. Projects as assigned
3. Other duties as required
Professional Development and Review (PD&R)
The University has a Professional Development and Review Process (PD&R) which is undertaken annually. During this process, the Manager and Staff Member will discuss and agree what contribution the Staff Member is expected to make during the review period towards achieving the University’s objectives. Objectives (consistent with the Key Result Areas and Behaviours in this Position Description and the Department/Unit/College’s Business Plan); performance measures (indicators of achievement) and the support (including development) required by the Staff Member to achieve these objectives will be agreed.
Learning Resources
Information Technology Services
Applications and Systems Support
Person Specification
Senior Test Consultant
Continuing
Education
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or similar (NZQA Level 7); OR
• Tertiary Qualification in relevant subject (NZQA Level 5 or 6) with at least 7 years’ experience in a testing role may be considered.
Candidate(s) who are successful in their application for this role will be required to present the originals of their qualification(s) to Human Resources prior to commencing employment. In making an application for this position, candidates authorise the University of Canterbury to arrange for the awarding bodies to be contacted to validate the qualification(s).
Employment offers will be conditional upon the University of Canterbury receiving proof that this requirement is met.
Technical or Professional Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
• At least 5 years’ experience testing desktop, client/server and web-based applications • A thorough understanding of test methodologies and processes.
• The ability to present solid documentation to support test cases.
• Familiarity with structured development methodology and the role of testing within this.
• Experience in Microsoft Operating Systems, testing applications developed in C# or VB.NET, ASP.NET, .NET framework and Microsoft SQL.
• Ability to function as a member of a team
• Ability to function and make decisions under pressure
• Able to work in a variety of environments to meet project and support requirements • Able to work in a busy environment in tight timeframes
• Proven customer service skills with a positive attitude towards serving customers
Employment Checks
Candidates who successfully reach the final stages of the selection process for this role may be required to undergo pre-placement screening checks. A satisfactory report from the relevant agency will be a condition of employment. The University will, however, make the final decision as to whether the appropriate standard has been met.
Behaviours
These are the abilities, attributes and personal characteristics that the staff member will need to
consistently display in order to achieve their Key Result Areas (KRAs) [that is, to do the job effectively]. These behaviours describe how someone does the job, whilst KRAs describe what is to be done. • Student/Customer Focus
Developing and sustaining productive student/customer relationships and making their needs a primary focus of one’s actions.
• Contributing to Team Success
Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals. • Work Standards
Setting high standards of performance for self and others, and assuming responsibility for successful completion of tasks.
• Continuous Learning
Actively identifying new areas for learning, seizing learning opportunities, and learning through the application of newly gained knowledge and skills.
• Decision Making
Making logical and informed decisions using a methodical, thorough process to choose between alternative courses of action.
• Gaining Commitment
Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans. • Managing Work (includes Time Management)
Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently. • Building Trust
