COBOL developer

Job Description:

The Cllient implementation is a transformative initiative aimed at replacing outdated legacy systems with a modern, integrated platform to improve court operations, data accessibility, and public service delivery. A critical component of this effort involves the migration of legacy data from IDMS-based mainframe systems and the integration of COBOL applications with modern distributed systems via APIs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze and understand legacy IDMS database structures, schemas, and relationships.

• Design and implement ETL processes to extract, transform, and load (ETL) data from IDMS into the CCMS.

• Collaborate with business analysts and data architects to define data mapping and transformation rules.

• Develop COBOL and JCL scripts to support data extraction, formatting, and legacy system interactions.

• Design and implement integration solutions to enable communication between IDMS/COBOL systems and modern distributed platforms using RESTful APIs or middleware.

• Support the development of API gateways, adapters, or connectors to bridge legacy and modern systems.

• Perform data validation, cleansing, and reconciliation to ensure accuracy and completeness.

• Participate in integration and migration testing, including mock conversions and user acceptance testing (UAT).

• Document data structures, mapping logic, integration workflows, and technical procedures.

• Troubleshoot and resolve data and integration-related issues during migration and post-go-live phases.

• Collaborate with CCMS vendors, internal IT teams, and external partners to ensure successful data and system integration.

Minimum Skills Required:

• Deep experience with IDMS databases, COBOL, and JCL in a mainframe environment.

• Ability to analyze and understand complex legacy data structures and workflows.

• Proficiency in designing and implementing ETL processes for data migration.

• Experience with data validation, cleansing, and reconciliation techniques.

• Strong understanding of API development and integration strategies.

• Experience with API gateways (e.g., Apigee, MuleSoft) or middleware/ESB platforms to connect legacy and modern systems.

• Ability to develop and maintain COBOL and JCL scripts for data extraction and formatting.

• Familiarity with scripting for automation and integration support.

• Strong collaboration skills to work with data architects, business analysts, vendors, and IT teams.

• Excellent documentation and communication skills for technical procedures and integration workflows.

• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex data and integration issues during migration and post-go­live phases.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.

• 7+ years of experience working with IDMS databases and COBOL in a mainframe environment.

• Strong experience with JCL, VEGA, data extraction, and legacy system analysis.

• Experience with API development, API gateways (e.g., Apigee, MuleSoft), or ESB platforms.

• Proven experience integrating legacy systems with modern applications using APIs or middleware.

• Solid understanding of relational and hierarchical data models.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent documentation and communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience with court systems, justice applications, or public sector IT projects.

• Familiarity with modern CCMS platforms (e.g., Tyler Odyssey, Journal Technologies).

• Knowledge of ETL tools (e.g., Informatica, Talend, SSIS) and scripting languages (e.g., Python, Shell).

• Understanding of data governance, quality assurance, and compliance standards.

• Experience working in Agile or hybrid project environments.