Business Systems Developer

About the role

The Social Security Administration's technical team is seeking business systems application developers to join us in delivering high-performance solutions on our world-class, enterprise-grade infrastructure. This is your chance to help shape the future of digital services for over 330 million Americans.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and maintain high-performance business applications using modern COBOL, CICS, JCL, DB2, VSAM, and IDMS on our enterprise server platform.
• Optimize SQL queries and data management for lightning-fast access and reliability in DB2 databases.
• Implement and support batch processing jobs, leveraging advanced job scheduling and monitoring tools.
• Engineer robust data storage and retrieval solutions using VSAM, ensuring integrity and speed.
• Utilize sophisticated file handling techniques for sequential, indexed, and relative files.
• Design and maintain data structures that support scalable, enterprise-grade applications.
• Build and support Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) systems using CICS and TSQ for real-time, high-volume transactions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve application issues to ensure maximum uptime and performance.
• Collaborate with business analysts, QA, and fellow developers to deliver innovative solutions.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including program specifications, flowcharts, and user guides.
• Participate in code reviews and uphold best practices for quality and security.
• Support application testing, deployment, and post-implementation activities in a fast-paced environment.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to leverage AI-driven tools and technologies to improve development efficiency, automate processes, and enhance application capabilities.
• Stay informed about advancements in AI and related technologies and recommend ways to incorporate them into SSA's business systems where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Grade 13 (Bargaining Unit Position): Applicants must have specialized experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Such IT-related experience must include designing, developing, and maintaining mainframe applications using COBOL, CICS, VSAM, and JCL; supporting data integration and migration with DB2, SQL, and IDMS; and assisting in the architecture or modernization of legacy systems.
• Grade 14: Applicants must have specialized experience at the GS-13 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Such IT-related experience must include designing, developing, and maintaining mainframe applications using COBOL, CICS, VSAM, and JCL; supporting data integration and migration with DB2, SQL, and IDMS; and assisting in the architecture or modernization of legacy systems. Experience must also include providing guidance to technical teams, preparing technical documentation, and collaborating with stakeholders to support modernization initiatives.
• Grade 15: Applicants must have specialized experience at the GS-14 level, or equivalent, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, and has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Such IT-related experience must include designing, developing, and maintaining mainframe applications using COBOL, CICS, VSAM, and JCL; managing data integration and migration with DB2, SQL, and IDMS; and architecting or modernizing legacy systems. Experience must also include leading technical teams, preparing technical documentation, and collaborating with stakeholders to support modernization initiatives.

Benefits

Recruitment incentive may be authorized. Outstationing may be available at the GS15 level.