Mainframe Technical Support (IT System Admin – Journey)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Mainframe Technical Support System Administrator to provide agency-wide support for its enterprise mainframe environment. The position supports mainframe operating system software and subsystems through configuration, implementation, maintenance, troubleshooting, problem resolution, and performance monitoring. It also serves as a backup Mainframe as a Service (MFaaS) vendor manager and contributes technical support to the annual Mainframe Disaster Recovery exercise and ongoing system availability and performance.

The position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options, with in-person work needed infrequently, up to four times per month. The employee must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to critical mainframe outages, and may serve as the backup on-call technician when the team lead is unavailable, providing stand-by and after-hours support.

WSDOT describes its workforce as planning, designing, building, and operating an integrated transportation system across Washington state. The agency offers work-life balance and flexible schedule options, paid leave, tuition assistance for permanent employees, and a comprehensive benefits package with healthcare and retirement options. Applicants are asked to submit a detailed online application, an attached resume, an attached cover letter, and contact details for at least three references.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to administer IBM z/OS mainframe systems, including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and performance optimization, with end-to-end technical ownership of the z/OS environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing user access, resource protection, and compliance auditing in a z/OS environment using RACF or ACF2, including conducting security audits and generating and analyzing SMF reports to identify vulnerabilities.
• Demonstrated proficiency supporting the full lifecycle of business continuity and IT disaster recovery, including business impact analyses, planning and executing recovery exercises, and maintaining compliance with resilience standards.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency using personal computers and standard PC software applications.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with vendors, customers, peers, and management, including condensing and presenting technical information.
• Ability to retrieve, understand, interpret, and apply highly technical information from electronic and printed materials.
• Ability to quickly identify, analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve technical problems.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and changing priorities effectively.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage large technical projects.
• Ability to stay current with emerging technologies, tools, and industry practices.
• Commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-oriented approach and willingness to take action to meet others' needs.
• Availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to critical mainframe outages.

Nice To Haves

• Proficient experience, knowledge, and understanding of information technology concepts, practices, and technologies.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of database concepts.
• Demonstrated experience using Job Control Language (JCL) in an IBM mainframe environment.
• Demonstrated experience with scripting or programming languages to support technical and mainframe environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist the team lead with technical support for the mainframe platform.
• Review the impact of new z/OS releases on existing systems and applications and assist with upgrade coordination with the MFaaS vendor.
• Provide WSDOT team support for projects integrating new mainframe hardware or software technologies.
• Provide agency-level support for Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Disaster Recovery (DR) planning.
• Provide basic support, technical knowledge, consultation, and administration for mainframe security configurations.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mainframe operational problems within established processes and procedures.
• Examine existing support contracts for alignment with organizational needs and compliance requirements.
• Monitor contract expiration dates and coordinate timely renewals to prevent service disruption.
• Review and maintain daily and monthly mainframe reporting, and resolve security and user discrepancies identified in reports.
• Occasionally respond to critical mainframe outages.
• Serve as a backup on-call technician when the team lead is unavailable, including stand-by and after-hours support.
• Support the annual Mainframe Disaster Recovery exercise.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays.
• Full-time employees earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year.
• Tuition assistance options for permanent employees, including tuition reimbursement programs and government discounts at participating colleges.
• Eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness for permanent employees.
• Comprehensive benefits package with healthcare options.
• Choice of state retirement programs.
• Flexible schedule options, including telework options for eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed