Mainframe DBA

Location: Toronto, Ontario, North York, Ontario, Waterloo, Ontario

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

The candidate will be a member of the Mainframe Database Services team within the Data Management Services department. The primary goal of the team is to provide Db2 for z/OS and IMS database administration support to various Canadian and US applications. The role will also provide the opportunity to work on infrastructure projects and other peripheral technologies.

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to play an integral part in our team's mission to provide high quality database administration support to Sun Life clients. Our clients depend on mainframe databases for several key applications and the dependency is expected to continue well into the future.

• Provide application-level database administration and support for Db2 for z/OS and IMS databases
• Execute and manage Db2 utilities 
• Perform SQL tuning and optimization to improve application query performance
• Support IMS application DBA tasks including DBD (Database Descriptor) changes and modifications
• Maintain and execute IMS utilities (Database Image Copy, Database Recovery, Database Reorganization)
• Create new database objects or modify existing ones as requested by clients
• Ensure databases are available as per service level agreements, meet database integrity and recoverability
• Ensure database performance meets client demands through pro-active and reactive monitoring
• Manage database storage allocation, space management, and growth monitoring
• Execute database refresh and cloning activities for non-production environments
• Recommend ways to improve processes, exploit new database features/related tools and reduce cost
• Take steps to ensure proper capacity planning, assist with security setup and audit requirements
• Assist with data archiving, data masking and test data creation
• Database design involvement and recommendations regarding logical to physical model implementations
• Support developers with regards to database topics (SQL-queries, IMS DLI calls, tools usage etc.)
• Participate in on-call rotation for Db2 for z/OS database support
• Excellent communication skills and experience assisting clients with connectivity, permission and access issues
• Analytical, problem-solving, detailed skills and ability to produce high-quality deliverables
• Organizational, monitoring, multi-tasking skills and ability to escalate to manager when issues arise
• Work independently on multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously under high-pressure workloads
• Work with team members, technical/team leads, management, IT areas and application support teams to ensure consistent delivery and quality of database services
• Ability to evaluate functionality and features with newer versions of the IMS and Db2 DBMS as part of a readiness program
• Collaborate with infrastructure teams on cross-functional tasks when needed
• Document database configurations, procedures, and best practices

What you need to succeed:

• Degree in Computer Science or Technology degree/diploma
• 5+ years knowledge of IMS and/or Db2 for z/OS (administration, performance, security etc.)
• 5+ years of Experience with RACF or ACF2
• 5+ years of JCL skills
• Strong experience with DB2 utilities and IMS utilities
• Proven experience with SQL query tuning and performance optimization
• Proficient in IMS application DBA tasks including DBD maintenance
• Experience with peripheral tools and technologies (IBM HP IMS utilities, Broadcom Db2 tools, File Aid, CA-7, ZEKE, REXX etc.)
• Knowledge of Mainframe programming languages and MQ and/or Db2 Connect
• Scripting experience with REXX (Python scripting highly preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and handle high-pressure workloads
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Flexibility to handle multiple concurrent tasks and shifting priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Optim data masking and data archive tools
• Familiarity with insurance industry applications
• Experience with data warehouse environments
• Experience with mainframe modernization initiatives
• Proficiency with zDevOps tools including:
  • Zowe
  • IBM Db2 Admin Foundation
  • Ansible
• Experience with database automation and scripting
• Understanding of ITIL or similar service management frameworks

Note: As a condition of the role, the successful candidate must obtain a Government of Canada Reliability Status security clearance through Sun Life.

What's in it for you:

• Flexible hybrid work model including in-country work-from-home
• Pension, stock and savings programs to help build and enhance your future financial security
• An environment of continuous learning and improvement

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.  

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our Clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to [email protected].

We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you! Several work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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