z/OS Systems Programmer - ITS3 or ITS4

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) seeks a z/OS Systems Programmer to maintain the mainframe environment and support critical applications. You will collaborate across Console Operators, Programmer Analysts, and end users to ensure system availability and performance, while evaluating new product versions and dependency impacts.

The role requires strong JCL/ACF2/JES2/SMP/E experience, knowledge of IBM zSeries hardware and IBM mainframe OS, and a customer-focused, solution-driven approach to issues.

Qualifications

• Position requires a minimum of three (3) years of IT related experience for ITS3.
• Experience must include JCL, ACF2, JES2 in addition to SMP/E.
• Knowledge of IBM zSeries computer hardware and mainframe operating system software.
• Must demonstrate ability to communicate clearly and effectively and deliver positive user experiences.

Responsibilities

• Maintain reliable operation, maintenance, and support of the mainframe environment.
• Collaborate with Console Operators, Programmer Analysts, and user groups to ensure system availability and performance.
• Research and evaluate new product versions, assess dependencies, and explore alternatives for workloads.
• All changes are thoroughly tested in controlled environments before production deployment.

Skills

JCL knowledge

ACF2/JES2/SMP/E

IBM zSeries knowledge

Mainframe OS knowledge

Clear communication

Customer-focused problem solving

Tools

JCL

ACF2

JES2

SMP/E

IBM zSeries hardware

IBM z/OS

Job description

Working Title: z/OS Systems Programmer - ITS3 or ITS4

Job Class: Information Technology Specialist 3

Agency: Minnesota IT Services

**This position was previously announced on 09/02/2026. If you had previously applied for this job, you do not need to reapply.

• Job ID : 96675

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes #LI-Hybrid

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 11/05/2026

• Closing Date : 11/18/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota IT Services

• Division/Unit : Office of Enterprise Tech / Mainframe Systems Support

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Information Technology Specialist 3 Salary Range: $33.96 - $55.83 / hourly; $70,908 - $116,573 / annually

• Information Technology Specialist 4 Salary Range: $37.07 - $61.14 / hourly; $77,402 - $127,660 / annually

• Job Class Option : Systems Software

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• Information Technology Specialist 3 FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• I nformation Technology Specialist 3 FLSA Status : Exempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Join the 2,800+ professionals of Minnesota IT Services (https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/careers/) (MNIT) who connect Minnesotans to services that will improve their lives. This position will be part of the Enterprise Services team, which delivers a full suite of services to state agencies, boards, councils, and commissions, and many central services to local government partners.

As the z/OS Systems Programmer with Minnesota IT Services (MNIT), you will be responsible for the reliable operation, maintenance, and support of our mainframe environment. This role involves close collaboration with Console Operators, Programmer Analysts, and user groups to ensure system availability and performance for business-critical applications.

Effective communication with end-users and leadership is essential to align maintenance with business needs. You will also research and evaluate new product versions, assess system dependencies, and explore alternatives for offloading workloads to non-mainframe platforms. All changes are thoroughly tested in controlled environments before production deployment to maintain system stability and efficiency.

This vacancy is being posted at the Information Technology Specialist 3 and Information Technology Specialist 4 levels. Only one (1) vacancy will be filled, and the classification will be determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications.

This position requires an employee to work onsite at 600 North Robert Street, St Paul, Minnesota at least 50% of the time, with limited telework available. Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) eligibility depends on residence:

• Candidates living in Minnesota or within 50 miles of the worksite in a bordering state (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) may telework up to 50%.

• Minnesota residents living more than 50 miles from the worksite may be eligible to telework more than 50%.

• Candidates living 50 miles or more from the worksite in a bordering state are not eligible for hire unless relocating within 50 miles.

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify, candidates must clearly show all of the following qualifications in their resume. Resume tips available here (https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/careers/hiringprocess.jsp) :

Information Technology Specialist 3 level :

Position requires a minimum of three (3) years of IT related experience.

Experience must include:

• BM Job Control Language (JCL), ACF2, JES2 in addition to IBM System Modification Program function (SMP/E).

• File organizations and access methods.

• Knowledge of IBM zSeries computer hardware.

• Knowledge of IBM mainframe operating system software.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a manner that facilitates mutual understanding.

• Customer-focused approach grounded in active listening, empathy, and solution-oriented problem-solving to deliver positive user experiences.

Education in Information Technology (IT) or an IT related field may substitute for experience as follows: a master’s degree for eighteen (18) months of experience; a bachelor’s degree for one (1) year; and an associate’s degree for six (6) months.

Information Technology Specialist 4 level :

Position requires a minimum of four (4) years of years of IT related experience.

Experience must include:

• BM Job Control Language (JCL), ACF2, JES2 in addition to IBM System Modification Program function (SMP/E).

• File organizations and access methods.

• Knowledge of IBM zSeries computer hardware.

• Knowledge of IBM mainframe operating system software.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a manner that facilitates mutual understanding.

• Customer-focused approach grounded in active listening, empathy, and solution-oriented problem-solving to deliver positive user experiences.

Education in Information Technology (IT) or an IT related field may substitute for experience as follows: a master’s degree for eighteen (18) months of experience; a bachelor’s degree for one (1) year; and an associate’s degree for six (6) months.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering Work Load Manager (WLM) on¿z/OS¿including the tuning and optimization of workloads.

• Knowledge of current CA MICS (Management Information Control System).

• Ability to analyze problems in a logical manner and to isolate failing components.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing technical documentation, memos, or reports used by system operations or technical team

• Ability to work well with all kinds of technical and non-technical personnel

• Knowledge of supporting SMR, LDAP Server, and others.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of Minnesota IT Services that a successful candidate must pass all legally required checks prior to employment which may consist of the following:

• SEMA4 Records Checks (applies to current and past state employees only)

• Criminal History Check

• Reference Check

• Social Security and Address Verification

• Education Verification

• CJIS Background Check

• Other legally required checks

Minnesota IT Services does not participate in the federal E-Verify program. Minnesota IT Services is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.