Senior Mainframe DBA

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.