Skills & Competencies for Mainframe Programmer

Mainframe Programmer job profile

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JOB SUMMARY for Mainframe Programmer

Reviews, analyzes, and modifies programming systems including encoding, testing, debugging and installing for a large-scale mainframe computer system.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Mainframe Programmer

Maintains and develops online and batch application programs. Develops and implements a disaster recovery plan. Works with project members to develop specifications, diagrams and flowcharts.

Mainframe Programmer SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$82,192
TOTAL 50%
$82,965
Job Level
P02
Job Code
IT10000057
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Project Leader or Manager

Mainframe Programmer Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Mainframe Programmer skill and competencie below to view definitions.
INDUSTRY COMPETENCIES JOB FAMILY COMPETENCIES CORE COMPETENCIES
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6 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Mainframe Programmer

1 Industry Competency – Software Engineering
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Applying computer science and engineering principles, methods, and practices to design, develop, deploy, and maintain reliable software systems.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the importance of using suitable programming languages and platforms in software engineering.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Prepares engineering documentation to ensure software adheres to user expectations.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Utilizes version control systems (VCS) to track and manage changes in software codes.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates and modifies existing development processes to optimize software production and reduce errors.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops optimization strategies to improve software product quality and usability.
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2 Industry Competency – Mainframe Operating Systems
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Utilizing a networking software infrastructure to manage a computer system's memory, processing performance, connected devices, and file systems.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the importance of mainframe computer infrastructure when running programs.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows operating guidelines when tracking mainframe operating system performance metrics.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Utilizes mainframe computer operating systems to process complex numerical and data-driven tasks.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Recommends system changes to improve the availability and recoverability of mainframe operations.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes system management protocols to capture processed information within the mainframe operating system.
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3 Mainframe Programmer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 5

4 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Mainframe Programmer

1 Job Family Competencies – Disaster Recovery
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Applying methods and processes in executing recovery processes in response to a disaster to protect business IT infrastructure.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists down components of an effective disaster recovery plan.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the creation of business continuity and contingency plans to ensure increased security from threats.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs backup and off-site storage procedures to maintain sensitive and crucial organizational data.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees the testing processes of applications and tools for disaster recovery preparedness.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads the creation of sustainable disaster recovery frameworks and strategies for multiple environments.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Programming
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Names relevant computer programming languages such as C, C++, and Python.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Uses object-oriented programming languages in programming.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses a programming language to create scripts that automate repetitive tasks.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Reviews and rewrites program codes to ensure compatibility with different operating systems.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads our business in improving the programming process and best practices.
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3 Mainframe Programmer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 5

7 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Mainframe Programmer

1 Core Competencies – Analytical Thinking
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Gathering, organizing, and analyzing information to identify the root cause of organizational problems and develop alternative solutions accordingly.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists skills, traits, and characteristics of analytical thinkers.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Makes a list of items without order or set of priorities.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Summarizes historical experience to find probable causes of the problem.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads brainstorming to encourage teammates to create new perspectives.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Promotes the adoption of business intelligence analysis technology to drive strategic decisions.
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2 Core Competencies – Innovation
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-The ability and process of implementing new ideas and initiatives to improve organizational performance.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Names our key stakeholders from a business value chain perspective.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the planning, implementation, and management of training programs that foster process improvements.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Participates in the redesign of organizational structures to reflect business priorities.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Trains others on various business and operation topics.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Forecasts the short-term and long-term impact of various business cases on P&L performance.
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3 Mainframe Programmer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Mainframe Programmer skills and competencies

There are 6 hard skills for Mainframe Programmer, Software Engineering, Mainframe Operating Systems, Mainframe Application Development, etc.
4 general skills for Mainframe Programmer, Disaster Recovery, Programming, Software Development Life Cycle, etc.
7 soft skills for Mainframe Programmer, Analytical Thinking, Innovation, Attention to Detail, etc.
While the list totals 17 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Mainframe Programmer, he or she needs to be proficient in Analytical Thinking, be proficient in Innovation, and be proficient in Attention to Detail.

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