Mainframe Software Developer

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of an Information Technology (IT) Supervisor II, the IT Specialist I will act as a mainframe developer, responsible for the analysis, design, coding, testing, documentation, implementation and maintenance of enterprise-wide electronic information processing systems. They will provide advanced knowledge in systems analysis, project management and Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes and be responsible for maintaining business knowledge expertise for systems supported.

Projects assigned to this team have enterprise and statewide impact, supporting the business functions of the State Controller’s Office (SCO). The team works in a matrixed environment to maintain and enhance the existing legacy personnel, payroll, financial, accounting and reporting systems using commercial application development technologies for the IBM z/OS platform, including mainframe products such as COBOL, CICS, REXX, Assembler, FOCUS, IDMS DML, ADS/O, DB2, XML, VSAM/IAM, MARK IV, Key MASTER, Vision Results (DYL
280), JCL, ISPF Tools, IBM Debug and Problem Determination Tools, and more.

Duties performed:

• Serve as a technical lead within a multi-disciplined project team (or independently on complex tasks) to apply mainframe technologies to the full range of SDLC activities including analysis, design, coding, testing, documentation, and implementation of mainframe information systems solutions.
• Coordinate and consult with business customers, administrators, and technical staff to identify business and technical requirements for supported systems. Develop system design and interface specifications.
• Develop system and unit test plans that include testing of complex integration between systems, and provide support for user acceptance testing activities.
• Create and review document deliverables required as part of the SDLC and Project Management processes.
• Perform quality reviews and inspections at critical stages in the SDLC to ensure adherence to architectural design, industry best practices, and SCO’s standards, policies and guidelines.
• Provide post-implementation operational support for systems, preparing and maintaining system documentation and operating instructions.
• Analyze production incidents, identifying root cause, developing and evaluating potential solutions, and implementing those recommended solutions.
• Support the SCO’s technical infrastructure related to mainframe systems specifically in the area of software change management, release management, configuration management, security management, risk and issue management, production incident response, technical documentation, and disaster recovery.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to technical staff; serve in a technical advisor role to provide recommendations, alternatives, and impacts as each relates to complex projects and assignments.
• Develop and update project management work plans and schedules.
• Establish and track tasks, priorities, dependencies, status, and completion dates.
• Communicate effectively and professionally, developing productive working relationships with co-workers, management, and internal and external business partners.
• Provide verbal and written status briefings for SCO management, business partners and control agencies, as required.
• Perform impact analysis (evaluate, provide alternatives, make recommendations, and estimate effort) for system changes resulting from new mandates, policies or business requirements.
• Provide impact assessments for current projects when there is a change in priority, scope or schedule.
• Demonstrate advanced subject matter and technical expertise on supported applications, imparting technical knowledge, training and/or assistance to other IT Specialists, business or program analysts.
• Stay current with the latest trends in mainframe software, databases and development technologies with a focus on how mainframe technologies can integrate with distributed technologies, cloud computing and data analytics solutions.
• Assist with the identification, selection, acquisition, and use of new technology solutions to meet SCO’s needs.
• Prepare alternatives analysis, evaluations, proposals, estimates, technical designs, and architectural diagrams for proposed solutions.

Final Filing Date: 7/15/2026