Remote User Researcher Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Work: At ICF, we combine deep domain expertise with leading-edge technology to help our clients solve their most complex challenges. We are seeking a Data Analyst whose expertise is embedded as part of a User Acceptance Testing Team, supporting mission-driven data and analytics modernization programs that deliver measurable impact.
As a Data Analyst / Embedded UAT Tester you will bring strong expertise in data analytics, SQL-based analysis, data validation, and Databricks workflows. You will also support the validation of user workflows, system functionality, usability, and release readiness through structured user acceptance testing and collaboration with business, technical, product, and QA stakeholders. You will help ensure that modern data platforms, analytic outputs, dashboards, and user workflows are accurate, usable, accessible, and aligned with mission needs.
Job Location: This position requires that the job be performed in the United States. If you accept this position, you should note that ICF does monitor employee work locations and blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses, and also prohibits personal VPN connections.

• You may be asked to travel once a quarter to an office.
• Our core work hours are 9am - 4pm Eastern Time with the option to start earlier or work later depending on your time zone.

What You Will Do:

• Lead the design, implementation, and governance of a robust UAT framework, including UAT plans, test scenarios, test cases, acceptance criteria, traceability matrices, issue logs, readiness assessments, and results reporting
• Coordinate and facilitate UAT sessions with representative users to validate real-world workflows, system functionality, usability, and readiness for release.
• Perform hands-on data analysis, profiling, reconciliation, and validation using Databricks, SQL, and modern analytics workflows.
• Validate data quality, data integrity, data transformations, business rules, reports, dashboards, and analytic outputs against requirements and acceptance criteria.
• Develop and execute SQL-based test queries to support data validation, defect investigation, regression testing, and user acceptance testing.
• Support usability/508 testing by evaluating workflow effectiveness, query performance, dashboard usability, self-service capabilities, accessibility considerations, and critical end-to-end user journeys.
• Partner with product owners, business stakeholders, data engineers, QA/test teams, UX/CX specialists, developers, and client leadership to translate testing outcomes and user feedback into actionable backlog items.
• Document and communicate data quality issues, usability concerns, defects, risks, and recommendations in clear, client-ready formats for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support Agile delivery by contributing to enhanced and improved user story development to align with stakeholder feedback. This include backlog refinement, sprint planning, sprint reviews, demos, retrospectives, and continuous improvement activities.
• Maintain requirements, testing artifacts, and traceability in tools such as Jira and Confluence from requirements through test execution, validation, and resolution.

What you must bring:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 1+ years of experience as a Data Analyst, Systems Analyst, Quality Analyst, Business Analyst, or related role supporting enterprise data, analytics, reporting, or system validation efforts.
• U.S. Citizenship required due to federal contract requirements.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a federal public trust or equivalent client-required background investigation.
• Candidate must reside in the U.S., be authorized to work in the U.S., and all work must be performed in the U.S.
• Candidate must have lived in the U.S. for three (3) full years out of the last five (5) years

What We Would Like You To Bring With You:

• 1+ years of hands-on SQL experience, including writing complex queries for data analysis, validation, reconciliation, troubleshooting, and testing.
• 1+ years of hands-on experience with Databricks or a comparable modern cloud data platform supporting analytics, data validation, data engineering, reporting, or testing workflows.
• 1+ years of experience validating enterprise system functionality, data outputs, dashboards, reports, workflows, or acceptance criteria in collaboration with business, technical, QA, or product stakeholders.
• 508 certification or ability to obtain certification
• Experience developing and executing UAT plans, test cases, acceptance criteria, traceability matrices, defect logs, and results reports for enterprise systems.
• Experience supporting usability testing, workflow analysis, user research, surveys, user feedback analysis, or other methods used to evaluate whether systems meet real-world user needs.
• Experience supporting federal data modernization, emergency management, disaster response, public sector analytics, or other mission-driven IT programs.
• Experience applying data validation practices in production analytics, reporting, dashboarding, or cloud data platform environments.
• Experience with analytical, reporting, and visualization software packages (such as QuickSight, Power BI, Tableau and ArcGIS, or similar software).
• Experience supporting data governance, metadata management, data catalogs, role-based access control, data sharing, or federated data stewardship models.
• Experience working with tools such as Jira, Confluence, GitHub, GitLab, or similar collaboration and delivery tools.
• Experience working in Agile delivery environments, including backlog refinement, sprint planning, sprint reviews, demos, retrospectives, release readiness, or SAFe ceremonies.
• Strong technical writing skills, including the ability to document testing outcomes, data validation results, user feedback, risks, issues, and recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple teams and workstreams with strong time management, organizational, facilitation, and communication skills.

Professional Skills:

• Highly effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interface effectively at all levels of the business.
• Ability to self-organize, prioritize and conduct research on multiple projects under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to communicate complex data, testing, and usability findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Bot and Third-Party Applications
Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration. Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact Candidateaccommodation@icf.com for assistance.
Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.
We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.
However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$67,063.00 - $114,008.00
Reston, VA (VA30)