Production Control Lead (DATA PROCESSING ADMIN SPEC) (UMP)

Position Overview

Are you looking for a rewarding career with an organization that values their staff? The Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is seeking to hire qualified candidates with the opportunity to work in a dynamic, creative thinking, problem solving environment. This position serves as the Production Control Lead performing and assisting in the establishment of critical production backups for environments on the mainframe according to agency standards; serves as a designated lead worker; assists lower-level staff with the migration of all programs, control files, and procedures (Job Control Language (JCL)) within the various production libraries for DoIT supported agencies; performs ongoing analysis, development, and maintenance of Disaster Recovery procedures for all production libraries and files which includes the systems that have been identified as critical applications referred to as Category One or life-threatening applications to ensure Disaster Recovery is accurate and all-encompassing for DoIT supported systems; and maintains and updates requests regarding Space Allocation Management System,

If you possess these knowledges, skills, abilities and experience, we invite you to apply for this position to join the DoIT Team!

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position)
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per year
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

20%  Under direction, serves as the Production Control Lead for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) performing coordinative functions for complex information processing operations:

• Assists subordinate staff in establishing critical production backups for environments on the mainframe according to agency standards.
• Performs library functions which includes the setup, scheduling, and submission of commands and mainframe production jobs to perform moves, purges, deletes, and restores of production files.
• Performs setup of jobs and schedules utilizing automated scheduling software such as, but not limited to, CA-Scheduler to ensure successful completions.
• Locates, analyzes, and resolves abends to achieve successful completions.
• Performs critical restores of production files, individual library members, or entire libraries and responds to calls for assistance on a local/regional/statewide basis.
• Reviews the work of lower-level staff verifying various backups for system catalogs, production libraries, and environments (Job Control Language (JCL), source, control and programs) are scheduled and completed successfully.
• Resolves problems associated with backups.
• Assists Supervisor with the maintenance of Disaster Recovery (DR) procedural documentation for Library functions within the mainframe environment.
• Assists Supervisor with performance of DR restores and participates in all required DR testing for DoIT supported agencies.
• Assists Supervisor with training and maintenance of online view and report archival/distribution software such as but not limited to Document Direct/Mobius regions.
• Assists supervisor with the performance of functions associated as a Document Direct tester for Mobius regions.

20%  Serves as designated lead worker:

• Assigns and reviews work.
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff.
• Advises immediate supervisor regarding performance of staff.

15%  Assists lower-level staff with the migration of all programs, control files, and procedures (Job Control Language (JCL)) within the various production libraries for DoIT supported agencies:

• Resolves problems associated with migrations such JCL errors, system and user abends or missing test and production members and/or missing DSNames.
• Identifies and analyzes error codes to determine corrective action/resolution to achieve desired results.
• Performs research analysis work utilizing Time Sharing Options (TSO/ISPF) functions within BlueZone (TN3270 sessions) and Online view and reports archival/distribution software, such as but not limited to Document Direct/Mobius in performance of duties.
• Works with Technical Services, Operations, and Application personnel to resolve all other problems.

Essential Functions Continued

10%  Performs ongoing analysis, development, and maintenance of Disaster Recovery procedures for all production libraries and files which includes the systems that have been identified as critical applications referred to as Category One or life-threatening applications to ensure Disaster Recovery is accurate and all-encompassing for DoIT supported systems:

• Determines which applications are needed or needed to be restored first in an emergency crisis where a data center has limited or reduced processing capabilities. Works directly on these recovery functions with Mainframe support team, Development Teams, Supervisor and Management.
• Verifies completion of mainframe backup processing, maintains documentation, and ensures updated procedures are stored in secure location (Disaster Recovery library) and uploaded to One Drive to ensure accessibility when/if disaster strikes.
• As a designated participant, participates in the Disaster Recovery testing exercise for DoIT supported agencies.

10%  Maintains and updates requests regarding Space Allocation Management System:

• Enters required information through submission of mainframe jobs to gather details regarding space, size, percentages, and performs pan scans.
• Submits mainframe jobs that compile statistics of mainframe space usage for production libraries.
• Monitors and analyzes outcome reports to determine if any or what action is needed and takes appropriate actions accordingly.
• Prepares and submits mainframe jobs that produce statistical reports regarding information pertaining to production libraries.
• Distributes the results of space usage reports to both the Production Libraries and Application users at DoIT supported agencies via email.

10%  Keeps abreast of new developments in the Information Technology (IT) field:

• Continues education by attending meetings, training sessions, seminars and conferences to increase familiarity with and remain current on IT products, vendors, techniques and procedures.
• Attends demonstrations and exhibitions related to assigned operations.

5% Maintains Agency procedures and all requirements necessary for the use and control of Library Administration and Document Direct environments:

• Assists supervisor or lower-level staff in the implementation of all functions associated for Library and Document Direct detailed jobs and reports utilized in these two environments.
• Performs the initial setup for user direct access for topic and report areas within the Document Direct environment.

5%  Prepares and provides statistical reports of Library and Document Direct(Mobius) data for DoIT supported agencies to Supervisor on monthly basis:

• Produces production logs and statistical reports utilizing various PC based software packages including but not limited to Flowchart (Visio), Power Point, Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Utilizes PC and Lan to access tools including but not limited to BlueZone, TSO/ISPF, CA-Scheduler, Document Direct/Mobius, JCL and Operating system commands to create, modify, and monitor production mainframe processing.

5%  Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of high school.
2. Requires four (4) years of previously related experience such as gained at the Data Processing Specialist level.

OR

1. Requires two (2) years of college coursework.
2. Requires three (3) years of previous related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Three (3) years of professional experience with production control procedures and Job Control Language (JCL).
2. Three (3) years of professional experience with 3270 emulation software such as BlueZone with utilization of TSO/ISPF.
3. Three (3) years of professional experience with automated job scheduling packages such as CA-Scheduler.
4. Three (3) years of professional experience with online view and report archival/distribution software such as Document Direct/Mobius.
5. Ability to analyze data logically and exercise sound judgement in defining and evaluating problems of an operational or procedural nature.
6. Ability to gain and maintain effective working relationships with agency officials, associates, vendors, clients, and others.
7. Ability to serve as a team lead to coordinate the activities of work associates to achieve desired results.
8. Developed verbal and written communication skills to present information to others with clarity and precision.

Conditions of Employment

NOTE: Applicants must possess the ability to meet ALL of the following conditions of employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position.

1. Requires the ability to verify identity.
2. Requires employment authorization to accept permanent full-time position with the State of Illinois.
3. Requires the ability to pass a position specific, agency required background check.
4. Requires self-disclosure of criminal history.
5. Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties.
6. Requires the ability to work outside of normal hours to meet deadlines.
7. Requires the ability to use agency supplied equipment such as laptop, personal computer, work cell phone, etc.
8. Requires the ability to attend seminars, conferences and training to remain current on methods, tools, ideologies or other industry related topics relevant to job duties.
9. Requires the ability to lift and carry objects or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds. This is considered sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.

The conditions of employment listed are incorporated and/or related to any duties included in the position description.

About the Agency

The Department of Innovation & Technology (DolT) is the state's IT agency delivering an enterprise approach to statewide technology, innovation and telecommunication services, as well as policy and standards development, lifecycle investment planning, and cybersecurity services. With over 1,500 employees, DolT delivers IT services and innovative solutions to customer agencies to improve services provided to Illinois residents, DolT offers employees the opportunity to advance their careers, develop new skills and reach their potential, both personally and professionally. DoIT is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation.