Skills & Competencies for Senior Mainframe Programmer

Senior Mainframe Programmer job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Senior Mainframe Programmer

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

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Senior 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.

Senior Mainframe Programmer SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$104,047
TOTAL 50%
$105,288
Job Level
P03
Job Code
IT10000058
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Project Leader or Manager

Senior 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 Senior Mainframe Programmer skill and competencie below to view definitions.

6 hard skills or competencies (industry competencies) for Senior Mainframe Programmer

1 Industry Competency – Software Engineering
Proficiency Level -3
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)
Describes the application of engineering principles and methods in software architecture design.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers and compiles user requirements to support software design and development processes.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs system analyses to assess the functionality and interoperability of software products.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Establishes performance metrics to track the effectiveness of software engineering processes and procedures.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and executes innovative strategies to streamline software engineering processes.
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2 Industry Competency – Mainframe Operating Systems
Proficiency Level -3
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)
Discusses the key elements, technical capabilities, and limitations of mainframe operating systems.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in distinguishing capabilities of mainframe operating system upgrades to eliminate unnecessary downtime.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Installs and upgrades control systems on multiple mainframe environments that meet user expectations.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Provides support when adjusting online production processes of mainframe operating systems and applications.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs infrastructure and integrated mainframe operations solutions to improve system management services.
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3 Senior Mainframe Programmer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Senior Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Senior Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 5

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

1 Job Family Competencies – Disaster Recovery
Proficiency Level -3
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)
Explains the importance and benefits of a proactive disaster recovery plan.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents issues that arise during disaster recovery testing to ensure execution of appropriate remediation plan.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements disaster recovery solutions and backup procedures to maintain full business continuity.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Develops standard operating procedures for network outages and disasters to streamline recovery actions.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of disaster recovery strategies and processes.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Programming
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains computer programming principles and procedures.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers user requirements and defines system functionality for computer programming.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs code review across a variety of programming languages.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Improves existing computer programs to maintain efficiency and reliability.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops custom code to support assessments using multiple programming languages.
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3 Senior Mainframe Programmer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Senior Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Senior Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 5

8 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Senior Mainframe Programmer

1 Core Competencies – Analytical Thinking
Proficiency Level -3
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)
Explains the integral role data collection plays when conducting analytical thinking.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Breaks down a specific project into lists of tasks.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Develops alternative solutions and compares the pros and cons.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Draws conclusions based upon logic and intuitive judgment.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Evaluates potential risks using extensive industry knowledge when considering new opportunities.
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2 Core Competencies – Innovation
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-The ability and process of implementing new ideas and initiatives to improve organizational performance.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes how our business makes money and our key business objectives.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in designing business models and operating plans.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Analyses the business impact of demographic changes; suggests effective responses.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Consults on the selection and adjustment of the go-to-market strategy.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Builds a conceptual model to ensure a continuous increase of business sense within our business.
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3 Senior Mainframe Programmer - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Senior Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Senior Mainframe Programmer
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Senior Mainframe Programmer skills and competencies

There are 6 hard skills for Senior Mainframe Programmer, Software Engineering, Mainframe Operating Systems, Mainframe Application Development, etc.
4 general skills for Senior Mainframe Programmer, Disaster Recovery, Programming, Software Development Life Cycle, etc.
8 soft skills for Senior Mainframe Programmer, Analytical Thinking, Innovation, Attention to Detail, etc.
While the list totals 18 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 Senior Mainframe Programmer, he or she needs to be skilled in Analytical Thinking, be skilled in Innovation, and be skilled in Attention to Detail.

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