Mainframe/CICS Architect

About the role

The Social Security Administration's technology team plays a vital role in supporting the agency's mission to serve millions of Americans. We are responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the agency's computer systems and enterprise information technology infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical advice and counsel to the Associate Commissioner, OHE, on short- and long-range efforts in the direction, management, and coordination of projects in support of SSA's programs and policies.
• Engages in engineers studies and analyses to ensure SSA's IT systems are consistent with the mission, goals, and operations of the agency. Resolves the most difficult and intricate IT performance problems.
• Conducts and/or leads analyses of proposed improvements or enhancements to SSA operations.
• Prepares and presents written reports and memoranda, oral briefings, seminars, workshops, and recommendations concerning long-range objectives that provide authoritative information and analyses, which examine, compare, and develop available options to devise new approaches to understanding issues involved, and contributes to the planning of solutions, including legislative options. Presentations must be appropriate for the target audience which may range from senior executives to teams of highly technical staff, including oversight committees, review boards, and interagency workgroups.
• Collaborates with intergovernmental and industry advisory groups to oversee, design, and implement critical changes and enhancements in areas of expertise.

Requirements

To qualify for the 2210 IT Specialist series, you must demonstrate the following competencies. Experience must be IT related. It may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.

• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer Service - Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; know about available products and services; and is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Qualifications

To qualify for this GS-15 position you must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 level or above, which is in or related to the work of the position to be filled, that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience must primarily consist of supporting, designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex enterprise CICS, MQ, and DB2 systems. This is particularly critical as the agency continues to upgrade the IBM mainframes and increase the reliance on CICS processing for the agency's many online applications.

Please note: Specialized experience is REQUIRED and must be explicitly documented/described in your resume or you will be disqualified from further consideration.

Additional information

This position does not have an educational requirement. Education cannot be substituted for specialized experience.

Duties

Provides technical advice and counsel to the Associate Commissioner, OHE, on short- and long-range efforts in the direction, management, and coordination of projects in support of SSA's programs and policies.

Engages in engineers studies and analyses to ensure SSA's IT systems are consistent with the mission, goals, and operations of the agency. Resolves the most difficult and intricate IT performance problems.

Conducts and/or leads analyses of proposed improvements or enhancements to SSA operations.

Prepares and presents written reports and memoranda, oral briefings, seminars, workshops, and recommendations concerning long-range objectives that provide authoritative information and analyses, which examine, compare, and develop available options to devise new approaches to understanding issues involved, and contributes to the planning of solutions, including legislative options. Presentations must be appropriate for the target audience which may range from senior executives to teams of highly technical staff, including oversight committees, review boards, and interagency workgroups.

Collaborates with intergovernmental and industry advisory groups to oversee, design, and implement critical changes and enhancements in areas of expertise.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. The evaluation you receive is based on your responses to the online assessment questions completed during the application process. Please make sure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your evaluation. Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information copied or restated from the vacancy announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.