Description

Note: it is Hybrid role, 3 days onsite and 2 days remote

The Rhode Island Department of Administration, Enterprise Technology Strategy and Services, Office of Information Technology (ETSS/OIT) is seeking a COBOL programmer to support COBOL programming requests, application interfaces, in addition, may be needed for administration support for the IBM iSeries Power 9 (AS400) and IBM mainframe systems (using VSE, MVS, and VM).

The Programmer selected shall have extensive experience with COBOL, CICS, SQL programming, application interfaces, database and database support, and AS400 and mainframe system support for the systems and technologies described below.

APPLICATION PROGRAMMING SUPPORT

 

IBM Power 9 I Series (AS400)  Systems Programming (System/36 and Native Mode)

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    •  
      • Provide COBOL programming support; maintain and make updates on current applications.  The standard is primarily native COBOL, but there may be instances of limited RPG residing in the systems.
      • (Shared Responsibility): Develop interfaces between DLT and other agencies.  Establish and support data transfers with ODBC, SFTP, GoAnywhere, Shared SharePoint files, IRS FIRE, QLIK, SMB, FTP, etc.  Support legacy IVR (currently screen scraping technology) from the System/36 based system.
      • Develop forms using XL Print Paris Software and FormDocs and perform associated programming requirements.
      • Develop and maintain application documentation.
      • Support application databases using DB2 (with multimember records) and SQL.
      • Leverage and utilize Spell/400, Surveyor, X-Analysis
      • (Shared Responsibility): Assist EOC operators with runtime errors to address programming issues.
      • Configure, maintain, and document application security.
      • Provide technical expertise to implement best practices.
      • Assist in migration efforts to modernize the legacy applications.
      • Generate reports in response to user requirements.
      • Provide operational, status, and other reports as requested.

 

 

Additionally, as needed:

IBM Mainframe System Programming (VSE, MVS, VM)

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    •  
      • Provide COBOL. JCL, and CICS programming support; maintain and make updates on current applications. 
      • Applications use IBM SQL/DS, ADABAS databases; VSAM file structures.
      • (Shared Responsibility): Develop interfaces between the mainframe and other agencies.  Establish and support data transfers with SFTP, FTP, etc. 
      • (Shared Responsibility): Assist EOC operators with runtime errors to address programming issues.
      • Develop and maintain application documentation.
      • Develop forms using XL Print Paris, FormDocs, and Elixir software and perform associated programming requirements.
      • Leverage and utilize Syncsort, MacKinney Systems, Easytrieve Plus and other IBM utilities.
      • Configure, maintain, and document application security.
      • Provide technical expertise to implement best practices.
      • Assist in migration efforts to modernize the legacy applications.
      • Generate reports in response to user requirements.
      • Provide operational, status, and other reports as requested.

 

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT

 

  1.  
    1. IBM Power 9 I Series (AS400) Systems Programming (System 36 and Native Mode)
      1. (Shared Responsibility): Support interfaces between DLT and other agencies.  Assist in establishing interfaces between DLT and other agencies by providing system file access and infrastructure support to establish and support data transfers with ODBC, SFTP, Go Anywhere, Shared SharePoint files, IRS FIRE, QLIK, SMB, FTP, etc. Support legacy IVR technology.
      2. Maintain, Support and manage support of AS400 systems:
        1. (Shared Responsibility): Assist EOC operators with runtime errors to address programming, OS, and hardware issues.
        2. Perform Health Checks and Monitoring
          1. System Status including but not limited to performance, critical messages, errors.
          2. System Values: Maintain and review system values (WRKSYSVAL) to ensure they are configured for security and performance.
          3. Subsystem Monitoring: Review subsystems (WRKSBSD) to ensure they are running optimally. Check for any subsystem-related errors or performance issues.
          4. Patches and Updates:  Verify that the system is running the latest cumulative PTF (Program Temporary Fix) package. Check for the latest operating system updates and patches.
          5. Disk Space: Review disk space utilization and run disk reports to address issues.
          6. Job Queues and Job Scheduler:  Deploy new jobs into the schedule, examine job queue configuration. Review the job scheduler to ensure scheduled jobs are running as expected and report on success/failure and triage exceptions for all scheduled items including but not limited to scheduled jobs, file transfers, file locks, message waiting, email alert and report notifications.
          7. Security: Maintain and review user profiles and system values to ensure proper user system access and security.  Check object authorities to sensitive objects and data.
          8. Backup and Recovery:  Confirm that regular backups are scheduled and completed successfully. Verify the integrity of backup media and perform a test restore if requested. Currently leveraging legacy tapes in a tape library, LaserVault.
          9. Network Configuration: Check network configurations, routing, host tables and DNS.
          10. Performance Monitoring: Utilize performance tools like Performance Navigator or IBM Navigator to analyze system performance metrics. Identify any performance bottlenecks and take corrective actions. 
          11. Journaling and Logging: Review journals and receivers. Check system logs (DSPLOG) for any unusual or critical messages.
          12. Printing and Output Queues: Verify that printers and output queues are configured correctly. Monitor for any spool file issues or printer errors.
          13. Backup and Recovery Plan: Ensure there is a well-documented backup and recovery plan is in place.  Test and maintain plan.
          14. System Health Check Documentation:  Maintain up-to-date documentation on the system's configuration, settings, and document any changes. Assist in developing technical documentation and Standard Operating Procedures
        3. Assist with developing, maintaining and executing disaster recovery for the agency devices and integration with Enterprise teams.
        4. Assist with technical and business process with development of Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans.
        5. Assist with technical documentation, audits, reviews, and processes for:
          1. Internal Revenue Service and other regulatory agency inquires.
          2. IRS Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
          3. IRS Safeguard Security Report (SSR)
          4. IRS Safeguard Security Report (SSR)
          5. Plan of Actions and Milestones (POAMs)
          6. Social Security Administration (SSA) Technical System Security Requirements (TSSR)
          7. US Department of Labor (USDOL)
          8. RI Auditor General (RIAG)
          9. Similar documents and processes as requested.
        6. Provide technical expertise to implement best practices.
        7. Assist in migration efforts to modernize the legacy applications.
        8. Generate reports in response to user requirements.
        9. Provide operational, status, and other reports as requested.

 

  1.  
    1. Maintain, Support, and Manage support of IBM Mainframe systems:
      1.  
        1. (Shared Responsibility): Assist EOC operators with runtime errors to address programming, OS, and hardware issues.
        2. Perform Health Checks and Monitoring
          1. Monitor and report on System Status including but not limited to performance, critical messages, errors.  Triage and address issues.
          2. System Values: Maintain and review system values to ensure they are configured for security and performance.
          3. Partition Monitoring: Review partitions to ensure they are running optimally. Check for any partition-related errors or performance issues.
          4. Patches and Updates:  Verify that the system is running the latest cumulative PTF (Program Temporary Fix) package. Check for the latest operating system updates and patches. 
          5. Disk Space: Review disk space utilization and run disk reports to address issues.
          6. Job Queues and Job Scheduler:  Deploy new jobs into the schedule, examine job queue configuration. Review the job scheduler to ensure all scheduled jobs are running as expected and report on success/failure and triage exceptions including but not limited to scheduled jobs, file transfers, file locks, message waiting, email alert and report notifications.
          7. Security: Maintain and review user profiles and system values to ensure proper user system access and security.  Check object authorities to sensitive objects and data.
          8. Backup and Recovery:  Confirm that regular backups are scheduled and completed successfully. Verify the integrity of backup media and perform a test restore if requested.
          9. Network Configuration: Check network configurations, routing, host tables and DNS.
          10. Performance Monitoring: Utilize performance tools to analyze system performance metrics. Identify any performance bottlenecks and take corrective actions. 
          11. Logging:  Check system logs (MLOG) for any unusual or critical messages and report and take action as directed and required.
          12. Printing and Output Queues: Verify that printers and output queues are configured correctly. Monitor for any spool file issues or printer errors.
          13. Backup and Recovery Plan: Ensure there is a well-documented backup and recovery plan is in place.  Test and maintain plan.
          14. System Health Check Documentation:  Maintain up-to-date documentation on the system's configuration, settings, and document any changes.  Assist in developing technical documentation and Standard Operating Procedures
          15. Assist with developing, maintaining and executing disaster recovery for the agency devices and integration with Enterprise teams.
          16. Assist with technical and business process with development of BCP and COOP plans.
          17. Assist with technical documentation, audits, reviews, and processes for:
            1. Internal Revenue Service and other regulatory agency inquires.
  2.  
    1.  
      1.  
        1.  
          1.  
            1. IRS Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
            2. IRS Safeguard Security Report (SSR)
            3. IRS Safeguard Security Report (SSR)
            4. Plan of Actions and Milestones (POAMs)
            5. Social Security Administration (SSA) Technical System Security Requirements (TSSR)
            6. US Department of Labor (USDOL)
            7. RI Auditor General (RIAG)
            8. Similar documents and processes as requested
          2. Provide technical expertise to implement best practices.
          3. Assist in migration efforts to modernize the legacy applications.
          4. Provide operational, status, and other reports as requested.

 

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

  1.  
    1. Experience to support and perform the duties and responsibilities described above. 
      • Minimum 3-5 years’ experience
      • Ability to communication with staff and engage business, technical resources, and support vendors.
      • COBOL programming
      • AS400 Administration
      • ODBC
      • SFTP, FTP   
      • Mocha, Rumba, Blue Zone emulation software, and HIS system
      • Go Anywhere
      • SharePoint & SharePoint Integration from AS400 and Mainframe systems
      • IRS FIRE
      • Creating tables, dropping tables, adding fields, indexes (various databases)
      • Maintain and resolve database and data issues in DB2, SQL, SQL/DS, VSAM files
      • Database recovery
      • IBM OS utilities
      • Intrinsic functions
      • VSAM
      • MVS JCL
      • VSE JCL
      • Easytrieve Plus
      • Message Log (MLOG)
      • XL Print Paris (forms & programming)
      • Elixir (forms and programming)
      • Troubleshoot and work with affected agencies to resolve problems.
      • Visio, MS Office, Teams, Jira and other common tools
      • Experience in application conversion to outside vendor
      • Other experience as necessary to perform the system administration and programming tasks required.

 

WORK LOCATION AND HOURS

The OIT Core hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM, but may be adjusted to meet the needs of the State.  After hours support may be required.  All hours are based on Eastern time.  Availability during core business hours is required.   Remote work may be an option. If approved, the preference is a maximum of two (2) days per week. Resource shall be available for onsite work in the Rhode Island area.

 

DURATION

  1.  
    1. Expected to start July 22, 2024 and end on June 30, 2025 but may be extended as needed.

 


 

Key Skills
Education

Any Gradute

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