Position Overview

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The Illinois Office of Comptroller is seeking applicants for the position of Mainframe Development Senior Public Service Administrator (SPSA)

The Comptroller is the chief fiscal control officer for Illinois government, charged by the Constitution with maintaining the state’s central fiscal accounts and ordering payments into and out of the appropriate funds. The office processes more than 16 million transactions annually and serves as a “fiscal watchdog” to ensure that all state payments meet the requirements of the law. The Comptroller’s office provides meaningful and timely fiscal information to help state policymakers adopt effective policies. The office continually seeks new ways to improve how it serves the public. The Comptroller has updated and streamlined the Comptroller’s website and has led the process of updating the state’s payroll and accounting systems. Comptroller Mendoza is committed to running the Office of Comptroller as a financial watchdog for the interest of Illinois citizens and to installing the most modern and transparent systems to make the state’s financial information available to all.

Under administrative direction, the Mainframe Development Senior Public Service Administrator (SPSA) performs a full range of systems analysis functions including the design and development of software enhancements. The incumbent analyzes and resolves mainframe applications problems, codes and tests software revisions to improve program function, and assists with system administration activities including periodic on-call responsibilities and problem resolution. The Mainframe Development SPSA plans, organizes, directs and evaluates needs to maintain/develop systems for Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) related projects.

Job Responsibilities

• Program and/or update COBOL modules to meet Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) business needs. Integrate COBOL applications with other systems and platforms, ensuring seamless data flow.
• Address and rectify any bugs or system malfunctions to ensure uninterrupted operations.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of code changes, system modifications, and updates for future reference. Ensure all development adheres to industry standards and best practices specific to COBOL and mainframe environments.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including business analysts and IT operations, to gather requirements and ensure system alignment with business objectives. Provide technical expertise and guidance to junior developers and stakeholders on COBOL-related matters.
• Evaluate needs in order to maintain/develop systems for IOC related projects.
  • Gather information needed for the project.
  • Oversees the programming function of the project.
• Analyze technical reports to determine the need for procedural or program modifications. Develop logic, code, and test new and existing systems and programs to increase operational efficiency.
• Investigate, analyze, and resolve user programming and operational problems. Maintain documentation of systems and programs.
• Analyze input/output data and the systems' interfaces of such data through preparation of functional flowcharts, layouts, and system flows. Act as lead worker to junior team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with courses in computer science, information systems, data analytics, business mathematics, economics, statistics or accounting.

• Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization including duties in programming, computer operations, statistics and accounting.

• Requires one (1) year of professional experience developing or overseeing the development of in-house software applications utilizing IBM platforms and IBM related software products.

• Experience must include four (4) years of experience in mainframe programming and software, including but not limited to COBOL, JCL, and DB2 databases.

• Any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three (3) years of professional experience including demonstrated analytical skills applied to understanding business functionality and translating them into application requirements, and technical writing experience.

Conditions of Employment

• Must reside in Illinois
• Requires ability to periodically travel to and work from Illinois Office of Comptroller office located in Chicago or Springfield

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires ability to understand public and business administration, principles and practices.
• Requires ability to express ideas clearly both orally and in writing.
• Requires ability to develop and maintain satisfactory working relationships with employees, legislatures, judicial and executive branch officials, other office representatives and the general public.
• Requires ability to understand laws, administrative rules, regulations, procedures and policies governing the Office of the Comptroller and the interpretation, implementation and application of such laws.
• Requires ability to plan and prioritize complex projects and to manage them from conception to conclusion, including identifying and resolving problems to ensure project accuracy and timeliness.
• Requires thorough knowledge of project management techniques.
• Requires ability to develop and manage an office program and analyze problems and adopt an effective course of action.
• Requires ability to exercise judgment and discretion in developing, implementing and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.

Benefits

This position is eligible to be a member of the State of Illinois Group Insurance program which includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage options. Additionally, this position will annually accrue 12 paid sick days, a minimum of 12 paid vacation days, 4 paid personal days, and be afforded up to 14 paid state holidays, prorated based on start date.

Equal Employment and Commitment to Diversity

The Illinois Office of Comptroller provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. The Illinois Office of Comptroller is committed to the fair and equal employment of individuals with disabilities under the ADA. It is the Illinois Office of Comptroller's policy to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the company. The Illinois Office of Comptroller prohibits any harassment of, or discriminatory treatment of, employees or applicants based on a disability or because an employee has requested reasonable accommodation.

The Illinois Office of Comptroller is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the agency and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. This commitment is embodied in agency policy and organizational culture.