Job Function Overview:

A Data Center Operations Analyst is responsible for system monitoring, production batch monitoring, workload throughput as well as batch and system task abend recovery for internal and external client MVS / ZOS / VM/VSE and other environments.

• 12 hour “quad” (3 on 3 off/4 on 4 off) shifts (Nights).
• Weekends (Saturday and/or Sunday) and Holidays required as per Shift Schedule.
• Occasional travel (approx 10%) as required to client site for knowledge acquisition of new business.

Essential Functions:

• Print the output in a timely and accurate manner, maintaining the maximum print quality at all times.  Provide leadership and guidance to less senior and experienced co-workers.
• Perform maintenance on printers; troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Perform and document a wide range of preventive maintenance on printers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues.
• Place vendor service calls to address printer issues.
• Load the correct forms and align them as necessary when specified.
• Always assure maximum print quality .
• Prioritize prints to meet service levels.
• Restock printer supplies.
• Clean the work area, including around and under the printers (i.e. vacuum off equipment, clean up spilt toner, etc.).
• Communicate and work with coworkers and vendors to address issues and ensure a smooth operation.
• Must communicate pertinent information between shift change (i.e. specific knowledge on why equipment might be down and what has been done to rectify the issue etc.).
• Lead the process to resolve issues and escalate them when necessary.  Coordinate with staff and customers to resolve any and all issues.
• Oversee, monitor, and troubleshoot batch schedules, ensuring that jobs are running as expected.
• Monitor and troubleshoot IT systems, including the mainframe, network, open and web systems; equipment and environmental systems in the data center.  Adjust jobs/processes to ensure continued operations, consult with manager when necessary. 
• Assign and follows up on calls/tickets to staff, management and vendors to address issues, including escalation of issues.
• Lead conversations in floor space planning and/or the physical movement of equipment and power whips.
• Oversee and ensure the media (hard drives) destruction procedures are followed and remain current.
• When hard drives are pulled, complete necessary documentation, and store in secure (locked) cabinet.  Release hard drives to Enterprise Security Office (ESO).
• Coordinate with vendor personnel to support the maintenance of the equipment.
• Build and maintain comprehensive knowledge of mainframe and open systems.
• Build and maintain comprehensive knowledge of electrical, mechanical, fire detection/suppression and environmental equipment.
• Log problems and follow established procedures to notify the proper individuals and departments.
• Send and receive media to and from PHEAA’s off-site storage vendor for the purpose of Disaster Recovery Reconciliation of media.
• On off hours, may be required to act on Help Desk behalf by assisting with Virtual Private Network (VPN) troubleshooting, resetting passwords, smart card assistance, and etc.
• Maintain tape, hardware and electrical inventories, order supplies when necessary.
• Keep the data center and console area tidy.
• Generate reports from mainframe or PageCenter to gather statistics for reference, such as print volume. 
• Create and maintain procedures.
• Need to lift/carry boxes that may weigh as much as 40 pounds.
• Strong knowledge in Console Operations and experience in complex Sysplex environment, System and online monitoring and batch abend recovery in 24x7 environment.
• Ability to clearly understand JCL structure where override and restart is required.
• Monitor and manage internal and external MVS zSeries and VM/VSE environments to ensure production processing meets internal and external client agreed service levels and requirements.
• High level of interaction with internal and external customers requires effective and professional communication.
• Complete daily shift turnover and customer checklists associated with assigned client environment.  Along with written shift turnover, verbal turnover must be facilitated. 
• Thoroughly document deviations within company’s designated Incident Management tool, reflecting clear and tangible details surrounding each incident.
• Properly escalate all events or incidents that may impact our ability to meet agreed service levels.
• Ensure system IPL, maintenance and backup processes are successfully performed according to predetermined schedule and per established procedures.
• Ensure all operations related changes are properly documented and approved in company designated Change Management tool prior to implementation.  Follow-up and close completed changes with valid and meaningful data. 
• Adhere to company documented processing procedures for internal and external clients, as well as suggesting and requesting updates and improvements as needed to internal Operations SharePoint documentation repository.  
• Organize tasks to work independently.
• Hands and feet support as required.
• Perform additional duties as assigned or designated by Operations management.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications and Skills:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Three-Four years minimum experience running Mainframe operating systems (MVS, zSeries) with experience in the following software: JCL, CICS, IMS, DB2, VTAM, TSO, ISPF, SDSF, JES2, JES3, CA7, CA11, and other scheduling packages such as ZEKE, JOBTRAC, TWS/OPC and Control-M.
• Proficient in core MVS and JES2 commands
• Ability to analyze problems and select proper corrective action
• Good written and oral communications
• Work in sitting position with computer keyboard and multiple screens