Position Title: Senior Mainframe Batch Processing Support Specialist

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of experience providing oversight and support for mainframe batch processing.
• Demonstrated experience operating within a large, complex enterprise environment.
• Proven expertise in updating job schedules using CA-7, generating reports, supporting online and batch processing, SFTP/FTP, and print file creation.
• Advanced knowledge of technologies and utilities including automated scheduling tools (e.g., CA-7), client scheduling processes, and their linkages to batch and online applications (e.g., IMS, DB2), as well as printing tools (e.g., View and Deliver) to ensure the timely execution of scheduled batch processes and output delivery.

About the Environment:

The Data Centre Operations (DCO) branch requires a Systems Administrator/Operations Support Specialist to support mainframe scheduling software (CA-7) in a high-demand production environment, as well as internal Disaster Recovery (DR) exercises.

Due to the discontinuation of the MSS RFB (Mainframe Outsourcing project), there is an ongoing need for internal resources to maintain Keep-The-Lights-On (KTLO) activities. The position ensures continuity in Production Control support services, encompassing the development, testing, and implementation of JCL scripts, CA-7 schedules, reporting tools, batch and online processing support, and secure file transfers (SFTP/FTP).

This role plays a leadership function in enforcing ITIL processes (incident, change, and release management) to support a multi-processing, multi-image computing environment servicing Ontario Public Service (OPS) ministries, agencies, boards, and commissions. The successful candidate will provide advanced, specialized support for 24/7 mission-critical systems, ensuring continuity and stability of services that support vital public-facing applications including:

• Integrated Courts Offences Network (ICON)
• Public Guardian Trust Account Management System (PGTAMS)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Personal Property Security Registration (PPSR)
• Health Card Validation
• Registration and Licensing System of Ontario (RLSO)

If any of these systems experience downtime, it results in immediate and highly visible impacts to the citizens of Ontario. This role is critical for ensuring ongoing support of CA-7 batch software, SFTP/FTP, and print file operations at the Guelph Data Centre. Staffing gaps caused by retirements have not been filled due to the current hiring freeze.

Deliverables - Systems Deployment, Operations, and Management:

• Provide advanced technical coordination for the development, testing, and implementation of JCL, CA-7 job scheduling, reporting tools, online/batch processing, SFTP/FTP, and print file creation.
• Act as a leader in enforcing ITIL processes, particularly around incident, change, and release management.
• Offer expert-level, specialized technical support to clients on all scheduling, testing, and implementation activities for 24/7 mission-critical systems.

Technical Requirements:

• In-depth experience and knowledge of batch and online systems in large mainframe environments.
• Proficiency in ministry-standard and customized application software/hardware, databases, and recovery procedures.
• Expertise in mainframe utilities (e.g., TSO/ISPF, JCL, FTP), desktop software (e.g., PKI, MS Word, Excel), and database environments (e.g., DB2, IMS, CICS).
• Understanding of multi-tiered system interdependencies for scheduling and monitoring production batch processing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, guidance, and training to a team of analysts monitoring production and non-production batch and online schedules, ensuring high availability of mission-critical systems, including public-facing applications.
• May be required to provide on-call support for daily operations and change/release implementations.
• Lead the analysis and resolution of complex scheduling, batch, and online processing issues in support of incident management.
• Develop and apply performance metrics to ensure operational staff are effectively trained in all aspects of change/release implementation.
• Coordinate implementation of system and infrastructure changes into production environments.
• Identify root causes of service incidents and apply appropriate tools and methodologies to restore service, aligned with ITIL processes.
• Lead Production Control staff through software release implementation activities, test scheduling, data collection, and pre-deployment risk mitigation.
• Manage and support automated third-party interface file transfers, batch output distribution, and file exchanges across multiple environments (development, training, production, etc.).

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Enterprise Tier 4 Mainframe Infrastructure Experience - 30%

• 10+ years supporting mainframe batch processing.
• Proven performance in large, complex enterprise environments.
• Experience with CA-7 job scheduling, online/batch processing, SFTP/FTP, and print file creation.
• 24/7 support for mission-critical systems and application recovery procedures.
• Expertise in automation of production applications and client advisory on production control processes.
• Advanced knowledge of scheduling tools, integration with batch/online applications (e.g., IMS, DB2), and output management tools (e.g., View, Deliver).

2. Recent Experience - 10%

• Must have relevant experience within the past 3 years.

3. Documentation and Communication Skills - 15%

• Demonstrated experience in maintaining procedural and operational documentation.
• Active participation in change management processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

4. Technical and Project Experience - 15%

• Specific, recent experience supporting mainframe batch processing in environments comparable to the Government of Ontario.
• Over 10 years of experience managing complex projects involving migrations and tool implementations.