| Location | Des Moines, IA |
NOTE: This is a 6-month project.
The State is undertaking a modernization initiative to replace an aging eligibility platform with a new statewide eligibility system (EDEN). As part of this effort, the legacy Child Support Enforcement system (ICAR) must continue to exchange critical data with the new platform through a series of file-based interfaces and batch processes.
The Mainframe Developer will play a key role in supporting the integration and transition between the legacy child support system and the new eligibility platform. This position will focus on analysis, development, testing, deployment, and support of mainframe applications and interfaces that enable seamless data exchange during the modernization effort.
Position Summary
The Mainframe Developer will design, develop, modify, test, and support mainframe programs and batch processes that facilitate integration between the legacy Child Support Enforcement system (ICAR) and the new Eligibility Determination system (EDEN). The resource will work closely with business analysts, architects, testers, and technical teams to implement interface updates, maintain data integrity, and support the transition from legacy data sources to modernized eligibility services.
Key Responsibilities
Mainframe Application Development
Develop, enhance, and maintain COBOL and JCL programs that process interface files between ICAR and EDEN.
Modify file layouts, data mappings, transformation logic, and validation routines based on business and technical requirements.
Enhance batch processing workflows, GDG structures, and VSAM datasets to support evolving integration requirements.
Support modernization efforts by replacing legacy eligibility data sources with EDEN-derived data.
Maintain and troubleshoot existing production processes and interfaces.
Technical Analysis and Design
Translate business and functional requirements into technical design specifications.
Analyze existing mainframe applications and integration points to determine impacts of system changes.
Modify and support applications that interact with IDMS databases, including schema and subschema navigation.
Perform detailed record-level and field-level analysis of inbound and outbound interfaces.
Identify dependencies, integration touchpoints, and risks associated with parallel operation of legacy and modern systems.
Create and maintain technical documentation, process flows, program specifications, and interface designs.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Develop unit test scenarios and execute comprehensive testing of mainframe applications and batch jobs.
Support system, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing activities.
Investigate and resolve defects identified during testing cycles.
Validate end-to-end data processing and file exchanges between systems.
Ensure data quality, processing accuracy, and compliance with business requirements.
Deployment and Operational Support
Create and maintain JCL, procedures (PROCs), scheduling definitions, and operational documentation.
Support implementation, migration, and production deployment activities.
Assist with cutover planning and execution during modernization milestones.
Troubleshoot production incidents, file processing failures, and data discrepancies.
Develop operational runbooks, monitoring procedures, and post-deployment support documentation.
Collaboration and Communication
Partner with project managers, business analysts, developers, testers, and business stakeholders.
Participate in design reviews, technical walkthroughs, sprint planning, and status meetings.
Communicate technical risks, issues, dependencies, and recommendations proactively.
Support knowledge transfer activities and contribute to project documentation.
Required Technical Skills
Mainframe Development
COBOL programming
JCL (Job Control Language)
VSAM datasets, indexing, REPRO/DEFINE utilities
IDMS database development and support
o Schema/Subschema concepts
o Database navigation
o ADS/O experience preferred
o IDMS COBOL integration
Batch processing development and support
Flat file design and parsing
Data transformation and interface mapping
Batch Processing and Infrastructure
GDG management and dataset lifecycle administration
FTP/SFTP processing and troubleshooting
File transfer automation
Scheduling tools such as:
o CA7
o Control-M
o Equivalent enterprise scheduling platforms
Integration and Analysis
Legacy system modernization experience
Multi-system data integration and interface support
Technical specification interpretation
Root cause analysis and troubleshooting
Data mapping and transformation logic
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Required Qualifications
Hands-on mainframe development experience.
Strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, and batch processing.
Experience working with IDMS or comparable mainframe database technologies.
Experience with VSAM datasets and file-processing applications.
Demonstrated experience supporting application integrations and data exchange processes.
Experience analyzing and modifying legacy systems.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting Child Support Enforcement systems or Human Services programs.
Experience with eligibility systems, public assistance systems, or government modernization initiatives.
Experience with large-scale legacy modernization projects.
Knowledge of production support, release management, and deployment practices.
Experience working in Agile or hybrid project environments.
Success Criteria
The selected candidate will successfully:
Deliver high-quality mainframe code and interface enhancements.
Support reliable data exchange between ICAR and EDEN.
Minimize disruption during legacy-to-modern system transition activities.
Contribute to successful testing, deployment, and production support efforts.
Maintain system stability while enabling modernization objectives.
| Skill | Required /Desired | Amount | of Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| COBOL programming | Required | 3 | Years |
| JCL (Job Control Language) | Required | 3 | Years |
| VSAM datasets, indexing, REPRO/DEFINE utilities | Required | 3 | Years |
| IDMS database development and support | Required | 3 | Years |
| Batch processing development and support | Required | 3 | Years |
| Flat file design and parsing | Required | 3 | Years |
| Data transformation and interface mapping | Required | 3 | Years |
| GDG management and dataset lifecycle administration | Required | 3 | Years |
| FTP/SFTP processing and troubleshooting | Required | 3 | Years |
| File transfer automation | Required | 3 | Years |
| Scheduling tools such as: CA7, Control-M, Equivalent enterprise scheduling platforms | Required | 3 | Years |
| Legacy system modernization experience | Required | 3 | Years |
| Multi-system data integration and interface support | Required | 3 | Years |
| Technical specification interpretation | Required | 3 | Years |
| Root cause analysis and troubleshooting | Required | 3 | Years |
| Data mapping and transformation logic | Required | 3 | Years |
| Strong expertise in COBOL, JCL, and batch processing. | Required | 3 | Years |
| Experience working with IDMS or comparable mainframe database technologies. | Required | 3 | Years |
| Experience with VSAM datasets and file-processing applications. | Required | 3 | Years |
| Demonstrated experience supporting application integrations and data exchange processes | Required | 3 | Years |
| Experience analyzing and modifying legacy systems. | Required | 3 | Years |
| Strong verbal and written communication skills. | Required | 3 | Years |
| Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. | Required | 3 | Years |
| Experience supporting Child Support Enforcement systems or Human Services programs. | Highly desired | 0 | |
| Experience with eligibility systems, public assistance systems, or government modernization initiatives. | Highly desired | 0 | |
| Experience with large-scale legacy modernization projects. | Highly desired | 0 | |
| Knowledge of production support, release management, and deployment practices. | Highly desired | 0 | |
| Experience working in Agile or hybrid project environments. | Highly desired | 0 |
| No. | Question |
|---|---|
| Question1 | Absences greater than two weeks MUST be approved by CAI Management in advance, and contact information must be provided to CAI so that a resource can be reached during his or her absence. The Client has the right to dismiss the resource if she or he does not return to work by the agreed upon date. Do you agree to this requirement? |
| Question2 | The Contractor must report any disciplinary action, misdemeanor, or felony convictions to the State for any temporary IT staff provided. Do you agree to this requirement? |
| Question3 | What is your candidate's email address? |
| Question4 | Have you completed and submitted the Right to Represent form, making sure to do so exactly as instructed? The form is located at /ia/ia_e-rtr_template.doc. |
| Question5 | The hourly Vendor for this position is NA.. Do you agree to this requirement? |
| Question6 | PROVIDE CANDIDIDATES CURRENT LOCATION (CITY/STATE) HERE: |
| Question7 | SHOW YOUR WORK - In the summary of qualifications field under the details tab of the candidate's profile, you should explain why your candidate is the best fit for this position. Please confirm that you have thoroughly validated and attested to the accuracy of the credentials listed throughout this candidate's VectorVMS profile and resume according to Section 5.2.5 of ITS-009440. Do you confirm? Candidates will get rejected if an agency cuts and pastes the candidates' resumes into this field [REQUIRED] |
| Question8 | Background Check Requirements: DOM contractor personnel are required to undergo additional background check investigations (run by DOM) before starting, requiring the completion of several waiver forms & fingerprint processes. The selected candidate will be responsible for completing all the necessary waiver forms, scheduling and completing the fingerprinting process, and returning all completed items to DOM for processing. This is in addition to the National Criminal and Sex Offender check that the vendor |
| Question9 | Provide candidates with the complete physical address where the DOM DoIT Background Check form and fingerprint cards must be mailed. [REQUIRED] - Failure to provide accurate information will result in disqualification. |
| Question10 | INTERVIEW DATES: Interviews will be conducted on [November 16, 17, 18, 19] Only submit candidates available for interviews on the date(s) provided. |