Information Systems Advisor I - zOS Mainframe Network Specialist

Illinois-Secretary-of-Stat; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Illinois Secretary of State is seeking an Information Systems Advisor I – zOS Systems Programmer Mainframe Network Specialist to serve as a senior resource for IBM z/OS mainframe environments, focusing on system administration, security, and DR readiness.

The role will collaborate with IBM, hardware vendors, and internal IT teams to ensure resilience and high availability of critical applications, while mentoring junior staff and driving automation.

Qualifications

• Requires two years of college coursework in computer science.
• Four years of experience with technical systems and/or programming or IT project management.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced system administration for IBM z/OS mainframe systems.
• Manage network configurations (SNA, TCP/IP, VTAM, NJE) in mainframe env.
• Troubleshoot complex system and network issues with root-cause analysis.

Skills

Advanced system administration

Security policy enforcement

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Education

Two years college coursework in computer science

Four years experience in technical systems / programming / IT PM

Tools

z/OS

TCP/IP

VTAM

NJE

RACF/ACF2/Top Secret security

Job description

Employer

Office of the Illinois Secretary of State

Alexi Giannoulias

Job Title

Information Systems Advisor I – zOS Systems Programmer Mainframe Network Specialist

Division

Technology Office – Infrastructure

Union

IFT

Location

501 S 2nd St., Springfield, IL – Sangamon County

Salary

Range from $6,962 to $12,950 monthly. Commensurate with experience

Benefits

https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

Attention

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; the Office of the Secretary of State will not complete certification and/or sponsorship requests.

Overview

Will serve as a senior resource to assist ILSOS with general system administration for an IBM z16 mainframe and DR environment with experience in maintaining and assisting with mainframe network administration, security certificates, SFTP, APIs, TCP/IP. The role is critical to ensuring the resilience, availability, security, and compliance of the State’s enterprise mainframe infrastructure. The successful candidate will work with IBM, HPE, and internal IT teams to design, implement, monitor, primary and secondary mainframe systems that support the Secretary of State’s mission-critical applications.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide advanced system administration and technical leadership for IBM z/OS mainframe systems.
• Manage and maintain network configurations, connectivity, and communication protocols (SNA, TCP/IP, VTAM, NJE, etc.) in the mainframe environment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex system, network, and application‑level issues, driving root cause analysis and long‑term corrective actions.
• Assist with planning and application of system maintenance, software upgrades, and PTFs, coordinating with system programmers and vendor support.
• Administer and enforce mainframe security policies (RACF, ACF2, or Top Secret), including user access management and compliance controls.
• Participate in and provide guidance for problem, change, and incident management processes, ensuring timely resolution and documentation.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, application, and network teams to ensure seamless integration and high availability across systems.
• Mentor junior administrators and contribute to process improvement and automation initiatives.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Education and Experience

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of two years of college, with coursework in the computer science field AND four years of experience with technical systems and/or programming experience and/or IT project management OR any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Requires extensive knowledge of systems design and implementation, including the way programs are written, compiled, and tested, the methods of operating computers, and the way data is transcribed into a form suitable for reading by computer and has an appreciation of the wider business context for those programs.
• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills for effective engagement with colleagues and internal users/customers.
• Requires extensive knowledge necessary to effectively perform the ability to exercise sound judgement in analyzing, appraising, evaluating, and solving problems of a procedural, organizational, administrative, and technical nature.
• Requires awareness and adherence to organizational standards for security, privacy and ethics.
• Requires extensive knowledge of the devices for capturing data for computers and the means available for receiving and transmitting data from remote locations to a computer.
• Requires extensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of computer system documentation.
• Requires extensive knowledge of the advantages and limitations of computer communication, and information retrieval systems as management information tools.
• Requires the ability to organize facts and findings, analyze data logically and to present results with clarity and comprehension, orally and in written or graphic form.
• Requires the ability to use and understand appropriate methods, tools, applications, and processes to demonstrate a rational and organized approach to work.
• Requires willingness to travel and possession of a valid Illinois driver’s license as required by individual positions within the class.
• Requires the ability to push/pull, lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Requires a valid Illinois Driver's License.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or disability.