TSD Infrastructure Services Mainframe Supervisor (IT Systems Administrator – Senior/Specialist)

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! 

The Opportunity

WSDOT Technology Services Division (TSD) is seeking an IT Systems Administrator – Senior/Specialist to fill a vacancy within the TSD Infrastructure Services Mainframe Technical Support Team. In this role, you will serve as the agency's designated highest-level mainframe technician and Mainframe as a Service (MFaaS) vendor manager. As the technical expert, you will support WSDOT mainframe operating system software and subsystems, including configuration, implementation, maintenance, troubleshooting, problem resolution, and performance monitoring of system software and hardware. This position will also be responsible for coordinating the acquisition and maintenance of supported mainframe hardware and software solutions. This role is essential in that systems must be running at peak performance with an expectation of an almost constant uptime. If systems are down, or not running optimally, essential agency functions and projects can be affected.

What to Expect

The Mainframe Technical Support team is responsible for keeping the enterprise-wide IBM mainframe, operating system, and all system software and hardware running at peak performance with an uptime of 99.5 percent. The responsibilities of this team include requirements analysis, solution design, implementation, vendor coordination, Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) service management fundamentals, and ongoing support. The functionality provided by a highly available vendor hosted offsite/cloud mainframe platform is leveraged extensively by other organizations within TSD to provide mainframe applications and services to end- users, WSDOT divisions, and individual programs.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the TSD Infrastructure Services Mainframe Supervisor will:

• Represent the team and often Infrastructure Services in committee meetings with peers, management, partner agencies, vendors, and business representatives. 
• Provide advice to management and peers regarding enterprise mainframe solutions and strategies. 
• Provide agency expert level support for the mainframe operating system.
• Oversee install, configure, and enhance the mainframe operating system software (zOS) and applicable subsystems.
• Serve as team lead on projects that integrate new hardware and/or software technologies.
• Provide agency expert level support for Continuance of Operations (COOP) for the mainframe operating system.
• Serve as team lead for the mainframe disaster recovery area by initiating actions that improve process. 
• Administer as necessary system backups to assure appropriate data is available for offsite recovery by modifying jobs and monitoring execution.
•  Review hardware and software annually to maintain system synchronization with MFaaS provider.
• Consult with IT management, technical support staff, and system analysts regarding the functions and capabilities of the mainframe operating system software and hardware.
• Maintain contracts for mainframe software and services, to include initiation, renewal, amendments, extensions, and cancellations.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, at least one (1) of the following are required:

• Nine (9) years of experience in an Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field. OR
• An associate’s degree and seven (7) years of experience in an Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field. OR
• A bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of experience in an Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.

In addition to one (1) of the above, the following are also required:

• Ten (10) years of advanced zArchitecture operations or systems programming experience.
• One (1) year of supervisory experience. 
• Project management skills.
• Expert skill level in personal computer (PC) use and standard PC software.
• The ability to provide mainframe support after-hours including weekends on a rotating basis.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly with a diverse set of vendor, customer, and peers.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Five (5) years of advanced training or experience using a mainframe programming language, such as COBOL, Natural, and/or Basic Assembler Language (BAL).
• Five (5) years of advanced training or experience using Job Control Language (JCL).
• Five (5) years of Independent Software Vendor (ISV) software product installation.
• Three (3) years scripting experience with Rexx, Clist

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs. 
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for supervisory positions within the IT Division.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• The recruiting efforts for this position has been extended to establish a sufficient candidate pool. However, the first review of applications will be conducted April 9, 2025. The Appointing Authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time thereafter. It is to your benefit to submit your application as soon as possible.
  
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including occasional telework for eligible positions.  
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.  
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. 

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. 

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter via email.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, at Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 25DOT-HQ-00027-1 in the subject line. 

Salary : $94,563 - $127,171