BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Senior Systems Programmer Analyst

Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a job-related field or equivalent experience
  • 8 years of IT experience with extensive systems programming
  • Strong analytical and logical thinking abilities
  • Thorough understanding of operating systems and architecture
  • Extensive knowledge of systems programming and integration methodologies

Responsibilities

  • Diagnose, isolate, and debug software problems
  • Review and design system software and hardware builds
  • Coordinate installation, testing, and maintenance of systems software
  • Review customer requests and evaluate feasibility of system changes
  • Provide technical guidance to project teams and evaluate vendor software

Benefits

  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
  • Subsidized health plans and free vision coverage
  • Life insurance
  • Paid annual leave that increases with tenure
  • Nine paid holidays
  • On-site cafeterias and fitness centers
  • Wellness programs and healthy lifestyle premium discount
  • Tuition assistance
  • Service recognition
Full Job Description
Summary

The CICS team is a core part of our Mainframe Services organization, responsible for delivering and supporting the transaction processing backbone of our enterprise systems. This group manages the full lifecycle of CICS (Customer Information Control System) environments, ensuring high availability, performance, and reliability for mission-critical business applications.

Each team member plays a vital role, owning specific technological components that are essential to CICS operations. This clear sense of responsibility fosters collaboration and mutual respect, with strong relationships and high levels of trust across the team. Everyone is empowered to contribute, and the team thrives on open communication, shared goals, and a genuine commitment to helping one another succeed.
Description
This position requires a clearance which requires U.S. citizenship to obtain.

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for sponsorship now or in the future.

Position Purpose:

Responsible for ensuring all systems programming decisions maintain the integrity of the overall systems infrastructure. Write or debug programs to maintain and control computer systems software, such as operating systems, networked systems, and database systems. Provide technical and disaster recovery expertise for systems software.

Work Environment:
  • Fast paced, multi-platformed environment which may require action and response 24X7 to support the technical business needs of the customer.


What You'll Do:
  • Diagnose, isolate, and debug software problems and perform problem resolution. Identify issues that the vendor is responsible for and refer those issues appropriately.
  • Review and design system software and hardware builds analyzing system options and the impact on the overall systems infrastructure. Develop and document the framework for integration and implementation for changes to technical standards.
  • Coordinate installation, testing, and maintenance of systems software. Schedule system downtime in a way that minimizes user impact.
  • Review customer requests, security patches, and audit requirements for additions or changes to systems, and evaluate feasibility to determine if/how to handle the request while maintaining an adequate/appropriate overall systems infrastructure. To determine if requested changes are possible, review system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations.
  • Provide technical guidance to project team areas as appropriate. May evaluate vendor-supplied software packages and make recommendations to IT management. In coordination with Project Leads and senior level staff, provide input on proposals that could potentially impact systems.
  • Assist in the establishment and implementation of standards and guidelines that guide the design of technology solutions across the enterprise.
  • Provide technical and disaster recovery support for systems software.


To Qualify for This Position, You'll Need:

Required Education:
  • Bachelor's in a job-related field


Degree Equivalency:
  • Associate's degree plus an extra 2 years job-related experience for a total of 10 years of required work experience (see "required work experience").


OR
  • 12 total years required work experience


Required Work Experience:
  • 8 Years IT experience including extensive systems programming experience.


Required Skills and Abilities:
  • Strong analytical and logical thinking skills.
  • Thorough understanding of operating systems and foundation architecture.
  • Extensive knowledge of systems programming, graphical user interfaces, control languages, development, quality assurance, and integration methodologies.
  • Advanced knowledge of currently utilized programming productivity tools and their use.
  • Advanced knowledge/skills in analyzing system software and making recommendations for performance enhancements.


Required Software and Other Tools:
  • Standard office equipment.


We Prefer That You Have:
  • Daily support and upkeep of the Mainframe CICS Environment and supporting products and processes.
  • Work with IBM and vendor utilities and be able to work with various technical groups to support real-time business functions.
  • Knowledge of CICS/TS internals and operations.
  • Hands on experience with the latest z/OS Versions and Release levels and Products including CICS, CPSM, CICS Explorer, SMF, JCL, SMPE, TSO, SDSF, RACF, SVC Dumps, MQ, CA Sysview, TCP/IP, CAFC, IPCS, DB2, IMS, VSAM. Mainframe Disaster Recovery / Data Center Rotations.
  • Proficient in the use of JCL and working with various vendor utility programs.
  • Debugging experience, knowledge of COBOL, Assembler, and CICS API programming.


What We Can Do for You:

We understand the value of a diverse and inclusive workplace and strive to be an employer where employees across all spectrums have access and opportunity to develop their skills, advance their careers and contribute their unique abilities to the growth of our company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
  • Subsidized health plans and free vision coverage
  • Life insurance
  • Paid annual leave - the longer you work here, the more you earn
  • Nine paid holidays
  • On-site cafeterias and fitness centers in major locations
  • Wellness programs and a healthy lifestyle premium discount
  • Tuition assistance
  • Service recognition


What to Expect Next:

After submitting your application, our recruiting team members will review your resume to ensure you meet the qualifications. This may include a brief telephone interview or email communication with our recruiter to verify resume specifics and salary requirements. Management will be conducting interviews with those candidates who qualify with prioritization given to those candidates who demonstrate the preferred qualifications.

About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is a health insurance company that provides coverage to over 5 million people in South Carolina and beyond. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina offers a variety of health insurance plans, including individual and family plans, Medicare plans, and employer-sponsored plans. The company is committed to improving the health of its members and the communities it serves, with initiatives focused on wellness, disease prevention, and access to care. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is a subsidiary of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies.
Learn more about BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Size
12,000 employees
Industry

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