IMS DBA - ApTask

About Client:
The client provides information technology (IT) services, including business outsourcing, infrastructure technology, and application services. The application service offered by the company includes application development, maintenance, and support. The markets served by the company are financial services and insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, government, transportation, communications, and consumer and retail industries.



Rate Range: $60-$62/Hr



Job Description:

• The IMS Database Administrator creates, maintains, designs, monitors and troubleshoots client databases. They use specific relational database management systems, develop and implement database recovery mechanisms and procedures. And coordinate security measures to safeguard database integrity.

• The successful candidate will perform mainframe database software upgrades coupled with administration and tuning to support IMS environments.
• The individual will be responsible for day-to-day database maintenance such as creating backups, performing restores, monitoring file extent growth, scheduling reorganizations, creating and maintaining DR procedures and overall support of customer needs and requests.
• The successful candidate will be called upon to perform a variety of database optimizations that will include general reporting and analysis of the efficiency of the database configuration and periodic review of database performance.
• Expertise and work efforts will focus on the development and support and/or the customization of new services and support efforts.
• System programming knowledge of multiple DBMS’s is a bonus.

• Bachelor’s degree required and/or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in IMS for administration and systems programming support. CA and IBM tools for IMS a plus
• Knowledgeable in best practices of software management, maintenance and documentation
• Configure and manage IMS in a parallel sysplex environment
• Develop innovation, strategies, processes and best practices in IMS systems programming
• Establishing policies and procedures pertaining to database management, DR, security, maintenance and utilization
• Reviewing new versions of IMS for functionality, advising how they benefit the client
• Evaluating change requests and determine impact to assigned clients
• Vendor consultations for problems and questions
• DR recovery of application objects
• Troubleshooting and solving production database issues
• Demonstrated ability to respond quickly and effectively to support requests from multiple clients

• Database Administration
• Knowledge of IMS database organization using access methods of VSAM and OSAM
• Full function database organization types
• HSAM, HISAM, SHISAM, HDAM, HIDAM, INDEX, Department
• Definition and use of LOGICAL databases
• HALDB (partitioned): PHDAM, PHIDAM, ILDS, PSINDEX, etc.
• Fast Path databases (DEDBs)
• Database Design and related utilities
• DBD source coding and DBDGEN
• PSBGEN source coding and PSBGEN
• How databases are processed using secondary indexes (PROCSEQ=)
• Correct usage of PROCOPT= to minimize database locking
• ACBGEN
• Online Change
• IMS commands related to ACB and FORMAT changes
• Coding and usage of IMS reorganization utilities (including IBM, BMC, CA), including: unload, prefix resolution, reload, prefix update, secondary index build, image copy, and pointer checker
• Support planned (disaster recovery) and unplanned (emergency) database recovery activities
• Knowledge of log archive and change accumulation utilities
• How to perform a log archive on demand
• Knowledge of IMS DB recovery utility
• How to use DBRC to generate JCL for forward recovery and point-in-time database recovery.
• Database monitoring
• Space management
• Database dataset space reporting for proactive outage avoidance.
• How to immediately fix an out of space condition for a VSAM database dataset
• Identification and resolution of performance issues
• Online tracing - Usage of IMS TRACE commands and associated utilities for spot monitoring of online program/transaction activity
• Extracting information from IMS logs using DFSERA10 and related utilities DFSUTR20 and DFSUTR30
• Use of DFSDDLT0 utility to access data
• Program/transaction monitoring – Familiarity with usage of IBM’s IMS performance Analyzer product is a plus
• Using DBRC to monitor database activity

About ApTask:
ApTask is a leading global provider of workforce solutions and talent acquisition services, dedicated to shaping the future of work. As an African American-owned and Veteran-certified company, ApTask offers a comprehensive suite of services, including staffing and recruitment solutions, managed services, IT consulting, and project management. With a focus on excellence, collaboration, and innovation, ApTask provides unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development. As a member of the ApTask team, you will have the chance to connect businesses with top-tier professionals, optimize workforce performance, and drive success across diverse industries. Join us at ApTask and be part of our mission to empower organizations to thrive while fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

Candidate Data Collection Disclaimer:
At ApTask, we prioritize safeguarding your privacy. As part of our recruitment process, certain Personally Identifiable Information (PII) may be requested by our clients for verification and application purposes. Rest assured, we strictly adhere to confidentiality standards and comply with all relevant data protection laws. Please note that we only collect the necessary information as specified by each client and do not request sensitive details during the initial stages of recruitment.

If you have any concerns or queries about your personal information, please feel free to contact our compliance team at businessexcellence@aptask.com.