Senior Mainframe COBOL Developer

Salary: $120,492.00 - $131,436.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04859
Department: Office of Financial Management
Division: Information Technology Services
Opening Date: 06/12/2026

Description
Note: This position will remain open until filled. It is at the hiring manager's discretion to make a hiring decision at any time and close the recruitment. It is in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed daily. We anticipate interviews to begin the week of July 13, 2026.

Hybrid: Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows teleworking. However, you must reside in the state of Washington and travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events as needed for business purposes.

Why work for OFM
The OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian. If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you've found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The job opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Mainframe COBOL Developer to support the critical statewide mainframe accounting system, Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), and Capital Asset Management System (CAMS). In this role, the work performed ensures that AFRS and CAMS remain operational, compliant with evolving state and federal legislative requirements, and changes as required by business are implemented. You have an opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding the reliability and performance of systems that underpin core governmental operations.

As a Senior Mainframe COBOL Developer, you will independently design, develop, test, maintain, and support enterprise-level mainframe accounting applications written in COBOL, CICS, and JCL. Your responsibilities include implementing system changes as required by the legislature, business, and WaTech's contracted mainframe hosting and managed service provider, resolving complex production issues, and translating detailed business and legislative requirements into technical solutions. This role demands strong analytical skills, disciplined testing practices, and the ability to sustain high-availability, mission-critical environments where precision and stability are essential.

This opportunity is ideal for a technical professional who thrives in complex computing environments and values meaningful impact. If you are motivated to solve complex problems and deliver resilient solutions that matter at scale, this role offers both challenge and purpose.
What you'll work on

• Provide expert consultation and specialized analysis, design, development, programming, testing, troubleshooting, and/or problem resolution for the AFRS mainframe application, which is a high-risk/high-impact and mission-critical application written in the COBOL programming language.
• Develop and maintain batch and online applications.
• Develop and maintain JCL (Job Control Language) and support CICS-based online applications.
• Work with IBM z/OS environments, DB2 and/or VSAM file structures.
• Apply knowledge of development and processes to advise teams on the readiness of software applications to be implemented in a production environment and is knowledgeable of the effect that modifications have on related systems.
• Analyze all technical system change decisions; identify probable resulting outcomes and provide feedback to the work unit/team members and business owner.
• Solve software/hardware problems, including defining and analyzing the problem, performing impact analysis, identifying and testing solutions, choosing and implementing the best solution, documenting the changes as needed, and evaluating the outcome.
• Develop and implement standards, methods, tools, procedures, and processes.
• Review, monitor, and report development progress and results following established standards, guidelines, and procedures.
• Serve as a technical mentor to other system developers in resolving complex technical issues
• Use bug tracking tools such as Azure DevOps, Excel, and Microsoft Word to create spreadsheets, log issues and bugs, and create documentation.
• Produce and ensure that internal technical and procedural documentation is current.
• Follow IT change and release management processes.
• Analyze business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Modify existing programs to enhance functionality or resolve defects.
• Take independent action to correct problems encountered during systems operations, 24/7.
• Provide level 2/3 support, monitor, and resolve production incidents. Work closely with System Analysts to resolve customer-reported production issues.
• Troubleshoot batch failures and performance issues.
• Participate in after-hours standby rotation.
• Perform unit testing and support integration/system testing.
• Participate in defect resolution and root cause analysis.
• Ensure adherence to coding standards and secure coding practices.

What we need you to bring
Required Qualifications:

• Recent application development experience in a mainframe environment using COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, IBM z/OS.
• Expertise in COBOL (batch and online programs), including debugging and performance tuning.
• Strong experience with structured programming and legacy code maintenance.
• Advanced ability to write, modify, and troubleshoot JCL.
• Strong ability to manage batch jobs, datasets, and utilities.
• Strong understanding of job scheduling concepts.
• Ability to develop and maintain CICS online transactions.
• Understanding of VSAM and file handling - KSDS, ESDS, RRDS file structures, file definitions, and access methods
• Strong mainframe environment knowledge (z/OS Operating System - Dataset management, ISPF usage, etc.; Utilities and Tools - SORT utilities, File-AID, etc.; Job Scheduling Tools - CA-7, etc.; Source Management - Endevor)
• Ability to perform unit, integration, regression testing, and code reviews.
• Ability to independently perform after-hours standby support.
• Advanced ability to problem-solve in legacy environments.
• Strong analytical skills/ability to research issues and find root cause.
• Strong documentation experience.
• Strong verbal and written communications.
• Ability to learn complex processes and information quickly.
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, customer service, and working under tight deadlines.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to meet the needs of others.

Desired Qualifications:

• Degree in Computer Science or related area (Mathematics, Engineering, Database Design).
• Washington State mainframe environment experience.
• Knowledge of the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS).
• Understanding of DB2 for z/OS - stored procedures, query optimization and indexing, handling cursors, and transaction management.
• Knowledge and ability to develop in non-COBOL technologies such as .Net, C#, Angular, Entity Framework, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript,etc.
• Experience using a defect tracking tool.
• Knowledge of security and/or performance/stress/load testing.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of accounting and/or transaction-based applications.
• Financial and/or state government knowledge.

Special Requirements:

• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

Supplemental Information

What we offer
At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here's a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:

• A culture that values and strives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you've decided to apply for a state government job, you'll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or other technology to screen your application. Please ensure you provide clear, detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-.

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their current contact information.

Questions: OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at .

The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.
This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please see .
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

The application process requires that you attach a cover letter detailing how you meet the qualifications of this position and a resume. Please check your attachments and click below to indicate you have attached the required documentation.

• Yes, I have attached a cover letter and a resume.
• No, I have not attached a cover letter and a resume.

02

(OFM) Please indicate your current work authorization status in the United States:

• I am a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident () authorized to work in the United States permanently.
• I hold a temporary work authorization visa (including F-1 OPT/CPT, H-1B, TN, etc.) or will require current or future sponsorship.

03

Do you have experience in COBOL (batch and online programs), including debugging and performance tuning?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience with structured programming and legacy code maintenance?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have application development experience in a mainframe environment using COBOL, JCL, CICS, VSAM, IBM z/OS?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you willing to undergo a Washington State Patrol WATCH criminal background check as a condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

Required Question