Z/OS Mainframe COBOL Application Developer

Position Overview

COME JOIN A TRANSFORMATIVE TEAM, with a record of proven, positive impact to the State of Illinois.

The Illinois Office of the Comptroller is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Public Service Administrator - Z/OS Mainframe COBOL Application Developer.

The Comptroller is the chief fiscal control officer for the Illinois government, charged by the Constitution with maintaining the state’s central fiscal accounts and ordering payments into and out of the appropriate funds. The office processes more than 16 million transactions annually and serves as a “fiscal watchdog” to ensure that all state payments meet the requirements of the law. The Comptroller’s office provides meaningful and timely fiscal information to help state policymakers adopt effective policies. The office continually seeks new ways to improve how it serves the public. The Comptroller has updated and streamlined the Comptroller’s website and has led the process of updating the state’s payroll and accounting systems. Comptroller Mendoza is committed to running the Office of Comptroller as a financial watchdog for the interest of Illinois citizens and to installing the most modern and transparent systems to make the state’s financial information available to all. 

Major Function

Under administrative direction of the Deputy Chief Information Officer, the Z/OS Mainframe COBOL Developer uses strong technical expertise and excellent problem-solving skills in mainframe development and operations to analyze, design, develop, code, test and debug COBOL applications on the Z/OS platform. The incumbent will bring deep knowledge of COBOL, JCL, VSAM, DB2, and CICS to collaborate with team members, business analysts, and stakeholders to gather requirements and deliver high-quality solutions. In addition to traditional mainframe development, this role will also engage with emerging technologies, including Generative AI and IBM Watson X for Z, to modernize legacy systems and contribute to building a knowledge-driven environment.

Job Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, develop, code, test, and debug COBOL applications on the IBM Z/OS platform.

  • Perform root cause analysis, system debugging, and implement solutions to complex technical issues.

• Work with MVS JCL, PROCS, VSAM, IDCAMS, DB2, SQL, and CICS in day-to-day development and maintenance activities.

• Learn and apply IBM Watson X for Z capabilities for mainframe modernization and optimization. Work with Generative AI tools to enhance development productivity, documentation, and knowledge transfer.

• Develop effective prompts for Large Language Models (LLMs) to support system analysis, code refactoring, and modernization.

• Assist in the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of a Mainframe Wiki Knowledgebase within SharePoint to preserve and share institutional knowledge.

• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonable within the scope of the duties above.

   

Minimum Requirements

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in management or design of information systems, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.

• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible hands-on experience in a public or business organization including web application administration and thorough knowledge of COBOL programming on IBM Z/OS, MVS JCL and PROCS, VSAM, IDCAMS, DB2 with SQL, CICS online applications, and TSO, ISPF, SDSF.

Preferred Skills

• Prefers knowledge of Payroll, Accounting & Financial Systems.

• Prefers exposure to or interest in Generative AI tools in a development environment.

• Prefers familiarity with LLM prompting techniques to improve code analysis and documentation.

• Prefers previous experience with IBM Watson X for Z, or the willingness to learn.

• Prefers knowledge management experience (e.g., contributing to a SharePoint Wiki Knowledgebase).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires a thorough knowledge of business administration principles, modern management practices and effective communication techniques.
• Requires contribution to a collaborative, team-oriented work environment with clear communication and knowledge sharing.
• Requires knowledge of office programs and service objectives, activities and operational systems.
• Requires knowledge of office policies and procedures.
• Requires ability to analyze administrative programs and adopt an effective course of action.
• Requires ability to develop, install and evaluate new and revised methods, procedures and performance standards.
• Requires ability to exercise judgement and discretion in developing, implementing, and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.
• Requires ability to develop and maintain satisfactory working relationships with office officials and outside organization representatives and to deal effectively with controversial problems.
• Requires ability to exercise sound judgement in analyzing, evaluating, and solving problems of a difficult procedural, organizational, administrative, and technical nature.
• Requires ability to devise solutions to difficult and technical problems, many of which may be of a precedent-establishing and research nature.
• Requires ability to judge project alternatives in terms of cost effectiveness.
• Requires working knowledge of personal computers and software.
• May require ability to train a professional staff.
• May require ability to plan, coordinate and review the activities of personnel to meet defined goals and schedules.

* with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

This position is eligible to be a member of the State of Illinois Group Insurance program which includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage options. Additionally, this position will annually accrue 12 paid sick days, a minimum of 12 paid vacation days, 4 paid personal days, and be afforded 14 paid state holidays, prorated based on start date. 

Equal Employment and Commitment to Diversity

The Illinois Office of Comptroller provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. The Illinois Office of Comptroller is committed to the fair and equal employment of individuals with disabilities under the ADA. It is the Illinois Office of Comptroller's policy to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the company. The Illinois Office of Comptroller prohibits any harassment of, or discriminatory treatment of, employees or applicants based on a disability or because an employee has requested reasonable accommodation. 

The Illinois Office of Comptroller is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the agency and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. This commitment is embodied in agency policy and organizational culture.