Quality Control Tester (1099 Contractor)

About SANS Founded in 1989, SANS Institute (SANS) began as a cooperative research and education organization. Over the next 25 years, it grew to become the most trusted and widely recognized provider of information security training and certification in the world. Today, SANS has served more than 300,000 cybersecurity professionals around the world, with more than 60,000 earning Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) security certifications—the leading certification that provides assurance to employers that their people and prospective hires can do the job. At the heart of SANS is a community of practitioners, from auditors and network administrators to CISOs, who share their lessons learned and collaborate on solutions to the challenges they face. These experts, working across corporations, government agencies, and universities, come together to support and strengthen the global information security community. Contract Opportunity SANS is seeking a Quality Control Tester to support our Quality team through a contract engagement. This role will focus on testing and validating OnDemand course content, learning platforms, media assets, and related systems to ensure a high-quality student experience. The engagement will support quality assurance activities across course releases, platform enhancements, and special projects. Estimated Engagement Duration: 12 months, subject to project needs and mutual agreement of the parties. Scope of Work The services to be provided under this engagement include: Review functional, content, and technical specifications. Identify testable requirements and clarify ambiguities with SANS OnDemand and WFS stakeholders. Create detailed test cases and test scripts based on requirements, including positive, negative, and edge cases. Perform manual testing across platforms, browsers, devices, and environments. Validate functionality, usability, accessibility, media quality, and performance. Log defects with clear reproduction steps and severity levels based on established guidelines. Perform regression and retesting activities. Ensure new changes do not negatively impact existing functionality. Document findings and provide detailed test reports. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project objectives and deliverables are met. Communicate progress, risks, and recommendations as needed. Perform related project work and deliverables within the scope of the engagement, as mutually agreed upon. Required Experience Successful candidates will demonstrate: Experience performing manual quality assurance testing, quality control reviews, or related testing activities. Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify, document, and communicate issues clearly and accurately. Experience following documented procedures, test plans, and quality standards. Relevant professional experience in quality assurance, technical support, content review, education technology, or a related field. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and manage priorities in a remote environment. Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work within established timelines. Proficiency with common web browsers, online platforms, and productivity tools. Excellent written and verbal English communication skills. Preferred Experience Experience testing online learning platforms, educational content, or digital media. Familiarity with defect tracking systems, ticketing platforms, and QA best practices. Technical certifications such as GIAC or other accredited technical training. Experience reviewing audio, video, transcripts, captions, and other multimedia content. Basic knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and terminology. Experience working in a remote, distributed team environment. Familiarity with accessibility, usability, and user experience principles. Contractor Information This opportunity is structured as a 1099 independent contractor engagement and is not a W-2 employment position. Contractors are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, equipment, business expenses, and any other obligations associated with operating as an independent contractor. Approved business travel required for the engagement may be reimbursed in accordance with SANS travel and expense guidelines and must be approved in advance by a designated SANS representative. Candidates must be legally authorized to provide services in the United States. SANS evaluates contractors based on relevant experience, demonstrated expertise, and their ability to successfully deliver the work outlined in the scope of the engagement.