Senior Mainframe DBA

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Mainframe DBA Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Type: Contract

Senior Mainframe DBA Position Description Mainframe DB2 Database Administrator Work Model: Onsite in Salt Lake City, Utah On Call Support: This role may require participation in an on-call support rotation. Your future duties and responsibilities How You'll Make an Impact As a Mainframe DB2 DBA, you will help ensure the performance, stability, security, and availability of enterprise database environments. Your responsibilities will include: Database Design and Architecture . Serve as the primary onsite point of contact for DB2 database administration and related activities. . Collaborate with application developers and architects to translate logical data models into efficient physical DB2 database designs. . Execute DDL for the creation and modification of tables, views, storage groups, and other database objects. . Safely manage schema evolution through complex DB2 ALTER activities. . Implement and maintain Universal Table Spaces, including PBG and PBR structures, to support effective storage and partitioning strategies. . Design, create, and manage DB2 indexes to support data integrity and optimize application access paths. Performance Tuning and Monitoring . Write, review, and tune complex SQL queries to improve application performance and minimize CPU consumption. . Monitor and troubleshoot DB2 performance issues, including access path concerns, locking, buffer pools, and SQL execution. . Analyze EXPLAIN output and other diagnostic information to identify performance bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions. . Use Real Time Statistics (RTS) to monitor database health and schedule maintenance activities proactively. . Support performance optimization and continuous improvement initiatives across production environments. Database Operations and Automation . Execute and monitor DB2 utilities, including LOAD, UNLOAD, REORG, RUNSTATS, COPY, and RECOVER. . Manage DB2 space allocation, including PRIQTY and SECQTY, and monitor VSAM datasets to help prevent storage shortages. . Develop and maintain JCL and REXX scripts to automate batch processing and routine DBA activities. . Use DB2 command level functions to manage database threads, statuses, and operational activities. . Leverage DB2 administration and monitoring tools, such as DB2 Admin Tool and Query Monitor, to support efficient database management. . Provide production support, investigate incidents, perform root cause analysis, and coordinate timely issue resolution. Security and Business Continuity . Administer DB2 security, including GRANT and REVOKE privileges, in alignment with enterprise access policies. . Support database security, audit, compliance, and data protection requirements. . Develop, test, and execute disaster recovery strategies to support business continuity. . Manage image copies, DB2 logs, backup processes, and recovery activities to help ensure timely restoration following an outage. . Participate in production readiness reviews, recovery exercises, and operational support activities. Collaboration and Delivery . Coordinate with architects, SMEs, development teams, QA, DevOps, integration teams, offshore resources, and third party vendors. . Provide technical guidance and knowledge transfer to team members and offshore delivery teams. . Support application releases, database changes, maintenance activities, and production deployments. . Document database designs, operating procedures, troubleshooting steps, and recovery processes. . Communicate technical issues, risks, recommendations, and status updates clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Required qualifications to be successful in this role What You'll Bring . Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent technical experience may be considered. . At least six years of experience in mainframe database administration, maintenance, and production support. . Strong hands-on experience administering IBM DB2 for z/OS, including database design, performance monitoring and tuning, backup and recovery, security, and production support. . Working knowledge of mainframe technologies, including COBOL, JCL, CICS, and VSAM, and an understanding of how applications interact with DB2 databases. . Experience with DB2 utilities and administration activities, including RUNSTATS, REORG, COPY, RECOVER, LOAD, and UNLOAD. . Experience analyzing and resolving DB2 performance issues, including SQL performance and access path concerns. . Experience supporting multiple applications within a large enterprise or production environment. . Experience coordinating with offshore teams and providing technical direction or guidance. . Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. . Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. . Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to make informed technical decisions. . Ability to evaluate and recommend solutions for moderate to complex database and production support issues. . Ability to work onsite in Salt Lake City and collaborate directly with client and delivery teams. . Availability to participate in on call support activities. Preferred Qualifications . Experience with Endevor. . Experience using mainframe debugging and diagnostic tools. . Experience supporting large scale enterprise modernization or database transformation initiatives. . Familiarity with automation, scripting, monitoring, and continuous improvement practices. . Consulting or client facing experience in a technology services environment.