Company Description

Krasan Consulting Services is a Chicago boutique management consulting and technology solutions integrator. As a certified BEP WBE with the State of Illinois and a certified WBE, MBE, and DBE recognized by the City of Chicago, Krasan provides complex technology solutions and services for clients in the Public and Commercial sectors. With decades of experience, Krasan specializes in end-to-end technology solutions, integration, and implementation services and is proud to enable the success of our customers.

Role Title: Senior Platform Developer IMS Database Administrator (DBA)

Type of contract: W2

Location: Remote

Client: State of Illinois Healthcare and Family Services

Project: Mercator/ITX Upgrade Project

Job Description:

Position Summary

The Senior Platform Developer – IMS Database Administrator (DBA) will be responsible for the technical configuration, administration, architecture, security, and performance optimization of IBM Information Management System (IMS) databases within a complex enterprise mainframe environment. The role will ensure high database availability, hierarchical data integrity, efficient access performance, and seamless integration across mission-critical applications, including MFS-based screens, automated programmatic interfaces (APIs), batch processing, real-time transactional systems, and web/online front-end applications. The ideal candidate will possess strong hands-on expertise in IMS database administration, performance tuning, database maintenance and recovery, and the generation and management of IMS database definitions and control structures. The position will also support IMS database components and interfaces associated with the Mercator/ITX environment, including coordination and troubleshooting across IBM mainframe and AIX-based Mercator/ITX components.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and support IMS DB/DC environments, including IMS Database Manager and IMS Transaction Manager (IMS TM), supporting online and batch applications and interfaces.
• Support IMS database architecture, configuration, and integration solutions across enterprise applications, including MFS-based screens, APIs, batch programs, real-time transactional systems, and web/online front-end applications.
• Collaborate with Mercator/ITX, AIX, application, DB2, infrastructure, and integration teams to analyze and support interfaces and data flows between IMS-based mainframe applications and AIX-based Mercator/ITX components.
• Perform IMS database performance monitoring, system tuning, and optimization to improve database access efficiency, response times, resource utilization, and overall system performance.
• Monitor and troubleshoot IMS database calls, locking/contention, I/O, storage utilization, batch processing, online transaction performance, and application access to identify and resolve performance issues.
• Manage IMS database storage allocation, space utilization, maintenance, and reorganization activities to ensure efficient database operations.
• Execute database repair, backup, restoration, and recovery activities using IMS DBMS-specific software and utilities to maintain database integrity and operational continuity.
• Utilize the IMS Data Dictionary and associated tools for the generation, maintenance, and validation of Database Definitions (DBDs), Program Specification Blocks (PSBs), and Access Control Blocks (ACBs).
• Perform IMS database reorganizations, image copies, recovery, restart, integrity validation, and related database maintenance using applicable IMS utilities and enterprise database management tools.
• Implement and maintain database security configurations, access controls, and integrity measures in accordance with established enterprise standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve IMS database issues while collaborating with mainframe system programmers, application developers, and technical teams to support application integration, system enhancements, and production stability.
• Support analysis, testing, troubleshooting, and validation of IMS interfaces affected by the Mercator/ITX upgrade and migration to ensure existing application functionality and data integrity are preserved.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• 5–10+ years of senior-level, hands-on IBM IMS Database Administration experience within large, mission-critical enterprise mainframe environments, including IMS DB/DC, IMS Database Manager, and IMS Transaction Manager (IMS TM).
• Strong technical knowledge of IMS database architecture, hierarchical database structures, technical configuration, administration, and database access methods.
• Demonstrated expertise in IMS database performance tuning, system optimization, space utilization, storage management, and database maintenance.
• Hands-on experience with IMS database repair, backup, restoration, and recovery using DBMS-specific software and utilities.
• Proficiency in using the IMS Data Dictionary, including the generation, maintenance, and management of Database Definitions (DBDs), Program Specification Blocks (PSBs), and Access Control Blocks (ACBs).
• Experience supporting IMS database integration with MFS-based screens, APIs, batch processing, real-time transactional systems, and web/online front-end applications.
• Working knowledge of IBM mainframe environments, IMS database security, access management, and production support operations.
• Strong working knowledge of IBM z/OS, JCL, TSO/ISPF, IMS DB/DC, IMS Transaction Manager (IMS TM), and IMS operational commands and utilities required to administer and support enterprise IMS environments.
• Hands-on experience with IMS Database Recovery Control (DBRC), RECON datasets, image copy, database recovery, restart, reorganization, and related IMS database maintenance and recovery utilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and application development teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with IBM z/OS, JCL, IMS DB/DC, and IMS Transaction Manager (IMS TM).
• Knowledge of IMS database access methods, including HDAM, HIDAM, HISAM, and HALDB.
• Exposure to IMS database recovery utilities, Database Recovery Control (DBRC), and RECON datasets.
• Experience supporting large-scale, mission-critical enterprise applications, preferably within State government or public-sector environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Job-2240