Okay, I've searched for IBM Systems Programmer roles in the United States, full-time, requiring Secret clearance, with expertise in IBM z/OS mainframe systems, and certifications such as CCNA Security or Network+CE. I have found 24 positions matching your criteria.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The IBM Systems Programmer role at DDC-IT Services centers on the comprehensive management, installation, and troubleshooting of IBM z/OS mainframe environments, with a strong emphasis on precise planning and execution to meet strict government project deadlines. This position requires deep technical mastery of mainframe utilities like SMP/e, IEBGENER, IEBCOPY, IDCAMS, and advanced system tools related to batch processing, communications (VTAM, TCP/IP, FTP), storage management (DFHSM, ADRDSSU, SMS), and UNIX System Services on z/OS. The candidate must be adept at interpreting system traces, job outputs, and abend dumps to resolve complex system issues, ensuring system stability and reliable performance. The need for detailed documentation underscores the importance of disciplined procedural adherence especially in a regulated government setting. Required certifications and clearance signify the role’s security sensitivity and baseline knowledge in IT/network fundamentals supporting the mainframe ecosystem. Success in this role depends on the ability to accurately plan and execute complex upgrades or installations collaboratively—implying strong cross-team coordination under tight deadlines—and on delivering stable environments that support mission-critical government operations. The role demands high autonomy in problem solving along with the foresight to anticipate and mitigate risks inherent in legacy platform upgrades and maintenance.

Company Analysis:

DDC-IT Services is a tribally owned and SBA-certified 8(a) small business focused on providing IT solutions that serve federal, state, and tribal agencies, including defense and healthcare sectors. Its identity as a Navajo Nation enterprise underscores a mission-driven culture that values innovation rooted in tradition, community empowerment, and economic development for sustainable growth. This suggests a workplace environment that prizes respect, commitment to client needs, and purpose beyond profit. The organization’s close relationship with government clients implies structured, compliance-heavy operations where reliability, security clearance, and regulatory adherence are paramount. Being a smaller, mission-focused company, DDC likely fosters close-knit teamwork with considerable visibility for this role, especially given the technical criticality of mainframe systems to client missions. The IBM Systems Programmer position aligns strategically with DDC’s goals by supporting core legacy infrastructure vital for federal projects, representing a growth and sustainment hire crucial for operational excellence and long-term contract fulfillment. The role offers potential career stability within a value-driven culture that emphasizes innovation, client-centric solutions, and elevating the Navajo Nation through technology leadership.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to manage a complex mainframe upgrade under a tight deadline. How did you ensure successful completion?
• Behavioral: Describe a situation where you diagnosed and resolved a challenging system abend or unexpected outage on a z/OS mainframe.
• Behavioral: How have you handled conflicting priorities between different teams or stakeholders during a mainframe project?
• Behavioral: Share an example when you had to document a complex technical process for a government or regulated environment. What approach did you take?
• Technical: How would you use SMP/e to apply software updates on an IBM z/OS system while minimizing downtime?
• Technical: Explain the role and management of system and user catalogs on the IBM mainframe and how you handle catalog errors.
• Technical: What tools and techniques do you employ to analyze batch job failures and dispatching priority issues on z/OS?
• Technical: Can you describe your experience with storage management utilities like DFHSM and how they integrate with IBM z/OS mainframe backup and recovery?
• Situational: Imagine you receive SMP/e output with multiple error messages during a software installation. How would you approach diagnosing and resolving these issues?
• Situational: Suppose a critical z/OS parameter change is required to meet a new government security policy with a fast turnaround. What steps would you take to implement and verify this safely?
• Situational: How would you manage communication and coordination with cross-functional teams to ensure an on-time mainframe system upgrade for a government client?
• Company Fit: Why are you interested in working for a tribally owned company like DDC-IT Services, and how do you see your work contributing to its mission?
• Company Fit: How do you align your professional values with DDC-IT's focus on community empowerment and honoring Navajo traditions of innovation?
• Company Fit: Given the sensitivity of government contracts, how do you ensure compliance and security in your daily work practices?
• Questions for Interviewer: How does DDC-IT Services support the ongoing professional development of IBM Systems Programmers within the company?
• Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe the team structure around the mainframe environment and how this role interacts with other IT and project management functions?
• Questions for Interviewer: What are some of the biggest challenges the company currently faces with its mainframe projects, and what support is in place for overcoming them?