Support of Mainframe COTS Software

Founded in 2003, IT Concepts’ core values – customer-centricity, teamwork, drive to deliver, innovation, and integrity – ensure we work together to be the best, realize objectives, and positively impact our communities. We intentionally created and sustain our ITC culture that embraces change, experimentation, continuous learning, and improvement. We bring our design thinking problem-solving approach that challenges assumptions, prioritizes curiosity, and invites complexity to deliver innovative, efficient, and practical solutions. As we continue to grow in the support of our government customers, we are looking for driven and innovative individuals to join our team.

IT Concepts, Inc. (ITC) seeks experienced support for Support of Mainframe COTS Software. The Mainframe Infrastructure Branch (MIB) supports installations and maintenance of more than 70 mainframe vendor software products housed on SSA’s production and testing mainframe environment sysplexes. When the Division of Mainframe Systems Software (DMSS) builds new mainframe system complexes (sysplexes) or upgrades z/OS operating systems, MIB must build, test, and maintain associated vendor software production and test environments. These environments consist of 77 logical partitions (LPARS).

This task will provide SSA with onsite COTS installation support through expert-level direction and support for vendor systems software products. This support will provide increased performance and stability for the mainframe operations environment required for our business application to function and user support utilities that allow our Development Community the means to build and maintain business applications.

The contractor will review systems and application code, including system dumps and logs, to identify and resolve availability and performance issues. The contractor will also provide performance tuning and problem determinations in current production applications and new applications being migrated through the software life cycle.

The contractor will provide hands-on technical training to systems and application programmers. An example of this type of training is the development of software installation and the ability to do migration jobs for the management of the system’s mainframe software life cycle environment.

Responsibilities:

• Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) vendor product installations
• Use SMP/E to install the product.
• Test the product to the extent possible before migrating through the system's life cycle.
• Coordinate with IBM and vendor software technical staff to troubleshoot problems.
• Prepare status reports.
• Work with other components to identify and resolve vendor software problems.
• Use SSA ServiceNow to submit change requests, track problems, and document resolutions.
• Maintain Vendor Software Environment
• Analyze, plan, and troubleshoot our mainframe systems.
• Assist with implementing stabilization by keeping the levels of software at the same release levels across mainframe systems.
• Communicate with IBM, Compuware, CA, and other vendor software technical staff for direction, best-practice recommendations, and assistance to resolve any problems encountered during stabilization.
• Prepare progress reports in detail to include any problems and recommendations.
• Problem Resolution
• Work withz/OS administrators and vendor support personnel to analyze and resolve problems to the root cause.
• Research and coordinate with IBM technical staff and vendor support personnel and document problem resolution.
• Planning and Implementation
• Define the strategic planning phase of the migration, installation, and maintenance phases.
• Perform implementation tasks for system software as needed.
• Best Practices
• Participate in planning and establishing best practices for the z/OS COTS vendor product environment
• Determine the needs for SSA environments.
• Research and coordinate with IBM technical staff.
• Customization and Optimization
• Use recognized IBM best practice guidelines for server settings.
• Use performance-monitoring tools to establish optimal settings.
• Identify software changes by analyzing and diagnosing system problems on the mainframe.
• Support the mainframe z/OS operating system
• Research problems, answer questions, and coordinate with IBM technical staff to review results.
• Interpret and analyze data gathered and apply system-tuning policies based on the analyzed data.

Location: On-site in Woodlawn, MD

Salary Range: $80,000-$85,000. Factors influencing pay within this range include geography, market demand, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of experience related to installing and supporting mainframe Commercial-off-the-Shelf software, such as FDR, FDR PAS/MOVE, STROBE, Enterprise Common Components, COBOL, TSO/Expediter, Compuware Shared Services, FINALIST, MVS/Quick-Ref, Mainview Storage Resource Manager, Backup and Recovery Manager, SYNCSORT, EMCSCF/EMCRDF, TADz, JCLCHECK, REXX, SAS, FOCUS, MSO/FOCUS, Multi-Image Manager, File-Aid/MVS, File-AID/RDX, VSUM, NameSearch and License Management System.

• Experienced with upgrades across different mainframe environments, lower environments such as Development, and upper environments such as Production.

• Experience with SMP/E, JCL, IBM utilities, ISPF/TSO utilities, Operating System commands, and general knowledge.

• The contractor shall submit a Weekly Status Report on Monday to the Task Manager describing the contractor’s prior work for the week

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in IT or related field.

Clearance:

• Ability to obtain and maintain Public Trust Clearance

Benefits

The Company

We believe in generating success collaboratively, enabling long-term mission success, and building trust for the next challenge. With you as our partner, let’s solve challenges, think innovatively, and maximize impact. As a valued member of our team, you have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse range of technology and business career paths, all while supporting our nation and delivering innovative technology solutions. We are a close community of experts who pride ourselves on creating an environment defined by teamwork, dedication, and excellence.

We hold three ISO certifications (27001:2013, 20000-1:2011, 9001:2015) and two CMMI ML 3 ratings (DEV and SVC).

Industry Recognition

Growth | Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies, DC Metro List Fastest Growing; Washington Business Journal: Fastest Growing Companies, Top Performing Small Technology Companies in Greater D.C.

Culture | Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech 100 Honoree; Virginia Best Place to Work; Washington Business Journal: Best Places to Work, Corporate Diversity Index Winner – Mid-Size Companies, Companies Owned by People of Color; Department of Labor’s HireVets for our work helping veterans transition; SECAF Award of Excellence finalist; Victory Military Friendly Brand; Virginia Values Veterans (V3); Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Breath Award

Benefits

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, healthcare benefits, supplemental benefits, 401k including an employer match, discount perks, rewards, and more. 

We invest in our employees – Every employee is eligible for education reimbursement for certifications, degrees, or professional development.  Reimbursement amounts may fluctuate due to IRS limitations. We want you to grow as an expert and a leader and offer flexibility for you to take a course, complete a certification, or engage in other professional growth and networking. We are committed to supporting your curiosity and sustaining a culture that prioritizes a commitment to continuous professional development. 

We work hard, we play hard. ITC is committed to incorporating fun into every day. We dedicate funds for activities – virtual and in-person – e.g., we host happy hours, holiday events, fitness & wellness events, and annual celebrations. In alignment with our commitment to our communities, we also host and attend charity galas/events. We appreciate your commitment to building a positive workspace for you to be creative, innovative, and happy.

AAEO & VEVRAA

ITC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and a VEVRAA (Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act) Federal Contractor. As such, any personnel decisions (hire, promotion, job status, etc.) on applicants and employees are based on merit, qualifications, competence, and business needs, not on race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, genetic information of the employee or family member of the employee, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by federal, state or local law.

ITC is strongly committed to compliance with VEVRAA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws governing equal employment opportunity. We have developed comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure our hiring practices align with these requirements.

As part of our VEVRAA compliance efforts, ITC has established an affirmative action plan outlining our commitment to recruiting, hiring, and advancing protected veterans. This plan is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness.

We encourage protected veterans to self-identify during the application process. This information is strictly confidential and will only be used for reporting and compliance purposes as required by law. Providing this information is voluntary and will not impact your employment eligibility.

Our commitment to equal employment opportunity extends beyond legal compliance. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees, including protected veterans, are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

How to Apply

To apply to IT Concept Positions- Please click on the: “Apply for this Job” button at the bottom of this Job Description or the button at the top: “Application.”  Please upload your resume and complete all the application steps. You must submit the application for IT Concepts to be considered for a position.  If you need alternative application methods, please email careers@useitc.com and request assistance.  

Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you need to discuss reasonable accommodations, please email careers@useitc.com.