Mainframe Programmer

Responsibilities:

• Technical architect for the IBM mainframe infrastructure including: z/OS operating system, ISV system software and utilities, disaster recovery plan development and maintenance, backup and recovery systems, software and system configurations, and lead technical resource for any operational issue with mainframe operations.
• Analyze IBM system software problems and determine resolution paths. Provide solutions to system z hardware and operating system problems by obtaining and implementing vendor corrections or developing local fixes, including installing code fixes for all z/OS service elements.
• Evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of current procedures and make independent recommendations for enhancements, document and maintain data center operational procedures for the z/OS infrastructure team.
• Design, implement, monitor, and maintain the system z server environment and Mainframe infrastructure within State Fund.
• Responsible for lead administration and support of the Mainframe computing environment of the z/OS operating systems and its requisite software (MVS, JES, RACF, CICS, DB2 database, SMF, RMF, WLM, HSM, and TSO)
• Review, install, configure, and implement new releases of operating system software including testing and validating any software installations and changes.
• Perform daily system review of CPU usage, DASD storage and paging activities. Survey system logs for delays, anomalies, or inefficiencies on workload, connections, and I/O queuing, maintaining the IBM mainframe computing services on a 24/7 basis.

Mentoring & Skill Enhancement:

• Supplier Personnel will make every effort to provide skills enhancement at a satisfactory rate and report any issues that may impede the progress of training and mentoring.
• Supplier Personnel resources shall provide input to Contract Executive to develop training and mentoring plan to include specific skill sets, tasks, and training methodologies.
• Supplier Personnel will be responsible to execute the training and mentoring plan(s) with designated State Fund employees and shall provide input to refine and further develop training and mentoring plans as training progresses.
• Supplier Personnel shall meet and discuss progress of training to State Fund on a monthly basis.
• State Fund Contract Executive will be responsible to document a training plan on the “Mentoring & Skill Enhancement Planner” and to monitor progress of training and mentoring with the State Fund employee(s). The Mentoring & Skill Enhancement Tracker and Planner are provided as Attachment C to this SOW.

Advanced Knowledge in the below technical areas

• z/OS components and processing techniques commands and file structures.
• Systems processes analysis, design, testing, and implementation techniques.
• Information technology systems and data auditing.

Proficient Knowledge in the below technical areas

• Emerging technologies and their applications to business processes.
• Research and information technology best practice methods and processes to identify current and emerging trends in technology and risk management processes.
• Security and risk management best practices.
• Business continuity and technology recovery principles and processes.
• RACF or similar system security software.
• CA SysView or similar mainframe system management software.
• Job Control Language (JCL) and procedures.
• IBM SMP/E installation methodology.
• Debugging techniques.
• IPL and POR procedures, and other HMC operations.

Working Knowledge in the below technical areas

• Hardware configurations.
• Miscellaneous systems tools or applications such as File-Aid, Quick Reference, and JCL.
• Storage and encryption technologies.
• Data replication using IBM's xRC and similar technologies.