Database Administrator (DB2 for z/OS)

About the Role

The Database Administrator will administer, secure, and tune IBM Db2 for z/OS databases while providing secondary administration for Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance. This role supports data pipelines that move mainframe data to the enterprise data warehouse and treats documentation, cross-training, and knowledge transfer as core deliverables — not afterthoughts.

What You'll Do

Database Design & Change Management

• Review and approve physical database designs including tablespaces, partitioning, indexing, referential integrity, and compression for new and changed applications.
• Implement DDL and configuration changes through the ITIL change management process; maintain DDL, object inventory, and standards under version control.
• Manage subsystem parameters (ZPARM), buffer pool configuration, and storage allocation.

Performance Management

• Monitor subsystem, thread, and application performance; establish and track baselines.
• Analyze access paths using EXPLAIN and related tooling; identify and remediate inefficient SQL in partnership with application and data engineering teams.
• Schedule and tune Db2 utilities including REORG, RUNSTATS, COPY, MODIFY, and RECOVER, and maintain the utility calendar.

Backup, Recovery & Availability

• Own the image copy strategy, active and archive log management, and point-in-time recovery procedures.
• Execute and document recovery tests on a defined cadence.
• Participate in disaster recovery exercises and maintain Db2 recovery runbooks.

Security & Confidentiality

• Administer Db2 authorization including GRANT/REVOKE, roles, and RACF integration under least-privilege principles.
• Support internal and external audit and regulatory data requests.
• Handle confidential and regulated data in accordance with company information security policies.

Integration & Data Movement

• Support nightly Db2-to-SQL Server extract pipelines including unload utilities, SFTP, and enterprise scheduling in partnership with Data Engineering.
• Administer DDF/DRDA connectivity and distributed access for downstream consumers.
• Advise on Db2 data structures consumed by warehouse, finance, and analytics teams.

Platform Currency

• Plan and execute Db2 version and function-level upgrades and PTF maintenance with Systems Programming.
• Evaluate and recommend Db2 features and tooling that improve performance, availability, or operational efficiency.

Documentation, Knowledge Transfer & Mentoring

• Maintain runbooks, standards, and architecture documentation for all administered subsystems.
• Cross-train at least one designated backup administrator on every critical procedure.
• Mentor mainframe developers and data engineers on Db2 design and SQL efficiency.

Secondary Platform Support & Operations

• Provide backup administration for Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance as assigned.
• Participate in the DBA on-call rotation and scheduled off-hours maintenance windows.
• Follow ITIL incident, problem, and change management practices.

What Skills You Need

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, Computer Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent work experience.
• 10+ years administering IBM Db2 for z/OS in a production environment.
• Working knowledge of z/OS, JCL, TSO/ISPF, and RACF concepts.
• Deep expertise in Db2 utilities, EXPLAIN and access path analysis, buffer pool tuning, backup and recovery, and logging.
• Advanced SQL skills including performance analysis and rewrite of complex queries.
• Experience operating under formal change, incident, and problem management processes.
• Ability to work independently on complex issues with minimal supervision, escalating only unusual cases.

Preferred Skills

• IBM Certified Database Administrator – Db2 for z/OS certification.
• Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance administration experience.
• Proficiency in COBOL, REXX, or Python.
• Experience with Db2 data sharing and Parallel Sysplex; Db2 Connect and DDF tuning; Db2 stored procedures.
• Familiarity with enterprise job scheduling tools such as Stonebranch and Db2 performance monitoring tools.
• ITIL Foundation certification; Agile delivery experience.
• Domain experience in property and casualty insurance data including policy, claims, premium, and loss.

Core Competencies

• Analytical problem solving under production pressure.
• Precise technical communication with developers, architects, auditors, and leadership.
• Planning and prioritization across competing demands with minimal supervision.
• Discretion with confidential and regulated data.
• Commitment to documentation and knowledge transfer.
• Collaboration across mainframe, warehouse, cloud, and application teams.