Test Lead

Who We Are

Util-Assist is a leading consulting and services company to electric, water, and gas utilities, with customers throughout Canada and the United States. Utilities today are undergoing an exciting digital transformation; the widespread deployment of smart grid technologies and renewable energy sources is colliding with customer demand for electric vehicles, energy savings, and better customer experiences to produce a dramatic shift in how utilities do business. Util-Assist is at the forefront of that shift.

Our vision is to be the trusted partner in driving digital innovation that reshapes the utility landscape. To bring that vision to life, Util-Assist is leading the way in helping utilities take advantage of the latest developments in utility IT, with growing practices for data analytics and customer experience consulting building on our well-established smart grid procurement and implementation management services. Our managed services division leverages advancements in utility IT systems to deliver a variety of services to utility customers, including outage communications management, managed billing, and AI-enabled substation security monitoring.

Teamwork is key to the success of the Util-Assist family; mutual respect, cooperation, and honesty are hallmarks of our principles. We offer a range of energizing, multi-disciplinary careers in a high-tech industry, with great potential for development and advancement as both the industry and our company continue to grow. Util-Assist’s flexible work environment allows you to work from anywhere, letting you choose the work arrangements that make the most sense for you. We will give you the tools and support to succeed in our business, wherever you are.

We are firmly committed to fostering a welcoming, positive, and diverse workplace. Thanks to our outstanding culture, we are the proud recipients of several national and local awards, including the Employee Recommended Workplace Award (three years running), the York Region Business of the Year award, and the Newmarket Large Business of the Year Award.

We’re excited to meet you! Learn more about Util-Assist at www.util-assist.com.

What We Need

The Test Lead is responsible for assisting the Director by guiding and supporting the testing team in addition to supporting special projects and departmental initiatives.

What You’ll Do

• Ensure compliance with business policies and procedures and coach team to increase proficiency and improve department efficiency
• Support the planning and distribution of work across the team, including coordinating work, optimizing use of resources, and ensuring practices are current
• Provide first level of support, training and coaching to deal with inquiries from the testing team
• Provide technical input on testing methodologies and related systems
• Lead or participate in department projects and key initiatives

• Work with project team to develop effective strategies and test plans for various utility systems and integrations
• Review and analyze system/application/software specifications and operation
• Build and execute test plans, data scenarios, scripts or procedures
• Create data anomalies to effect full range test scenarios
• Create logs and evidentiary to document testing phases, results, and defects identified
• Report bugs and errors to project teams and enter in tracking systems
• Participate in meetings to report test progress, articulate defects and issues, etc.
• Analyze and document problems with program function, output, online screen or content
• Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes
• Create or maintain databases of known test defects
• Build documentation to train clients in performing test procedures and lead the execution of testing with clients

What You’ll Bring

Experience and Education

• Undergraduate degree/diploma in Computer Science or Software Development
• 3-5 years’ experience testing using various metering systems (AMI, MDM, CIS and auxiliary systems)
• Experience with MS SQL databases, schema and the ability to create SQL queries and reports

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of the software development lifecycle and testing phase
• Intermediate knowledge of AMI components and functions
• Intermediate knowledge of IP networks and how they impact AMI functions/performance
• Basic knowledge of residential and electrical fundamentals including meters, breakers, transformers and powerlines
• Class G license

Skills

• Advanced technical aptitude and the ability to learn new applications quickly
• Advanced self-management skills including the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Advanced time management and organization skills to meet tight timelines
• Advanced interpersonal skills
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced technical testing skills
• Advance ability to create SQL queries and reports
• Advanced MS Office skills
• Advanced HPALM or similar software
• Basic MS Project skills
• Basic IBM Blueworks or MS Sharepoint

Working Conditions

• Hybrid office environment
• A successful SIN and passport clearance along with a police vulnerability check is required
• To satisfy our obligation to provide a safe and healthy work environment and meet the needs and standards of our clients, the successful candidate will be required, as a condition of employment, to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in accordance with Util-Assist’s vaccination policy. Util-Assist will comply with its obligations under applicable human rights legislation to accommodate the successful candidate if unable to receive the vaccine due to medical and/or religious reasons, up to the point of undue hardship. Additionally, if the successful candidate does not provide proof of vaccination, Util-Assist will consider whether the inability to provide proof of vaccination was the result of a lack of availability of the vaccine at the time of offer, or because the start date does not allow for vaccination prior to commencing work, and/or the successful candidate's reason for not being vaccinated. Failure to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 may result in an offer of employment being rescinded.

What We Offer

• A competitive base salary
• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements (including working from home during the pandemic)
• The opportunity to work with an innovative company that is on the leading edge of technology
• Plenty of opportunity for career advancement in a fast-growing company
• A results-driven environment
• True team collaboration
• A fun, social, award-winning culture

Company Benefits

• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Hybrid workforce
• Flexible working hours
• Career development opportunities
• Parental leave top-up
• Three (3) month waiting period to be enrolled into benefits for a full-time employee
  • Benefits (through Sun Life) – 100% employer paid
  • Vision – $200 every 24 months
  • Dental – 80% for preventative and basic procedures, with a max $2,500 per person every 12 months
• Long term disability – 75% of your monthly basic earnings up to a maximum of $8,000
• Life insurance – employee life $25,000, spouse $10,000, child $5,000
• Retirement Plan – 3 month waiting period to join, matching by Util-Assist begins after 1 year of employment
  • Matching 1-4 years: up to 2% of earnings
  • Matching 5-7 years: up to 3% of earnings
  • Matching 8+ years: up to 4% of earnings
  
  

Individuals interested in applying please submit resume and cover letter by:

June 2, 2023

We thank all applicants for their interest in Util-Assist; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Util-Assist is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.