Job Title: Mainframe IMS Application DBA

Duration: 6 Months [NO BENEFITS]
Work Locations: Phoenix, AZ | Plano, TX | Charlotte, NC | Richmond, VA | Jacksonville, FL | Pennington, NJ | Chicago, IL
Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite, 2 Days Work From Home

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Mainframe IMS Application DBA (IMS DBA Analyst) to manage, maintain, and support IMS database environments within a high-availability enterprise environment.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with IBM z/OS, IMS database administration, database performance tuning, backup and recovery, and database maintenance. This role involves supporting mission-critical applications, maintaining data integrity, optimizing database performance, and collaborating with application development, system programming, and operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. IMS Database Administration

• Install, configure, maintain, and support IMS database environments on IBM z/OS.
• Administer various IMS database types, including Full Function, Fast Path, and HALDB (High Availability Large Databases).
• Perform database definition, allocation, dataset management, and physical database design and implementation.
• Manage IMS control structures, including DBDs, PSBs, ACB libraries, and the IMS Catalog.
• Perform database reorganization (REORG) and space management activities to maintain database performance and efficiency.
• Support database design and implementation based on application requirements.

2. Database Utilities, Backup & Recovery

• Execute and support IMS database utilities, including load, unload, reorganization, image copy, and recovery operations.
• Perform database recovery activities, including image copy recovery and point-in-time (PIT) recovery.
• Utilize IMS recovery utilities such as DFSURGL0 and DFSUICP0, as applicable.
• Manage database backup and recovery processes to maintain data availability and integrity.
• Troubleshoot database recovery issues and resolve data inconsistencies.

3. Performance Monitoring & Troubleshooting

• Monitor and optimize IMS database performance in batch and online environments.
• Identify and resolve access path inefficiencies, space constraints, application-related data issues, and database performance bottlenecks.
• Investigate and troubleshoot database abends, including Uxxx and S0Cxx errors.
• Diagnose and resolve data corruption, integrity issues, and database inconsistencies.
• Perform database performance analysis and tuning to support mission-critical applications.
• Utilize database monitoring and performance tools to identify and address operational issues.

4. Database Design & Application Support

• Collaborate with application development teams on DL/I access, database design, and application requirements.
• Provide independent application development support for IMS database-related issues.
• Design technical solutions that align with business and application requirements.
• Develop process flowcharts and supporting technical documentation.
• Participate in the design, development, implementation, maintenance, and support of complex database environments.
• Coordinate with IMS System Programmers to address performance, tuning, and infrastructure-related issues.
• Work with operations teams to support batch processing and online IMS applications.

5. Advanced IMS Database Management

• Support IMS databases operating in Sysplexed Data Sharing environments.
• Manage and maintain Secondary Indexing, Logical Relationships, and Sparsing Routines.
• Support database replication, compression, and encryption capabilities.
• Develop and maintain automation solutions using REXX and other applicable scripting tools.
• Support database maintenance activities using IBM IMS utilities, BMC utilities, and equivalent monitoring tools.
• Manage multiple technical assignments and contribute to specialized database initiatives.

6. Collaboration & Process Improvement

• Coordinate with application development, systems programming, and operations teams to ensure database stability and availability.
• Support database modernization, migration, and consolidation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve database administration processes, performance, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain technical documentation, process flows, and database management procedures.
• Follow applicable enterprise security, compliance, and data management standards.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of DBA experience supporting IMS databases in an IBM z/OS environment.
• Strong experience with Sysplexed Data Sharing environments.
• Hands-on experience as an IMS Application DBA supporting IMS DB.
• In-depth knowledge of Full Function, Fast Path, and HALDB databases.
• Experience with Secondary Indexing, Logical Relationships, and Sparsing Routines using Assembler.
• Knowledge of database replication, compression, and encryption.
• Strong expertise in database performance monitoring, tuning, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with physical database design, database builds, and maintenance.
• Hands-on experience with IMS backup, image copy, and recovery procedures.
• Strong knowledge of IBM z/OS environments.
• Experience with IMS database administration utilities and maintenance activities.
• Ability to troubleshoot database abends, including Uxxx and S0Cxx errors.
• Experience resolving data corruption, integrity issues, and database inconsistencies.
• Familiarity with JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF, and REXX.
• Experience supporting batch and online IMS environments, including IMS DB/DC.
• Experience with IBM IMS Database Administration Utilities, BMC utilities, and equivalent monitoring tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating IMS databases with DB2, CICS, MQ, and distributed systems.
• Familiarity with performance monitoring tools such as OMEGAMON and MainView.
• Exposure to IMS modernization initiatives, including APIs and z/OS Connect.
• Knowledge of automation and scripting using REXX.
• Experience with large-scale IMS database migrations, consolidation, or modernization projects.
• Exposure to data replication and data integration solutions.
• Experience working in regulatory and compliance-driven environments, including SOX and PCI.
• Familiarity with management and change management tools such as ISPW and ServiceNow.
• Experience creating technical diagrams and process documentation using Microsoft Visio.

Key Technical Skills

• IBM z/OS
• IMS Database Administration (IMS DB)
• IMS Application DBA
• Full Function Databases
• Fast Path Databases
• HALDB
• Sysplexed Data Sharing
• DBD, PSB, ACB Libraries, IMS Catalog
• DL/I
• JCL, TSO/ISPF, SDSF
• REXX and Assembler
• IMS Database Utilities
• Database Performance Tuning
• Backup, Image Copy & Recovery
• Point-in-Time (PIT) Recovery
• Database Reorganization (REORG)
• Secondary Indexing & Logical Relationships
• Database Replication, Compression & Encryption
• BMC Utilities
• OMEGAMON & MainView
• DB2, CICS & MQ
• z/OS Connect
• ISPW & ServiceNow
• Database Migration & Modernization