CERS Support Specialist (REMOTE)

This position may be filled prior to the posted deadline. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Koniag Data Solutions, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a CERS Support Specialist to support KDS and our government customer. The position is remote.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.

Koniag Data Solutions, LLC  is seeking an experienced CERS Support Specialist to support the USDA's MRP-ITD Laboratory and Scientific IT Directorate, Cotton and Tobacco Branch. This position is responsible for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Cotton and Tobacco Branch's Cotton and Tobacco Electronic Reporting System (CERS).

The ideal candidate will serve as the technical lead for the HP NonStop Integrity environment and provide COBOL programming services to sustain uninterrupted operations of the Cotton Classing Programs. All supported applications are written in COBOL or Screen COBOL, making deep expertise in these languages essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with leadership to develop short- and long-range IT strategies, recommending system enhancements and process improvements
• Gather and analyze customer requirements to build comprehensive IT development and delivery plans
• Lead all HP NonStop programming efforts, including COBOL85, SCOBOL, TAL, and NonStop SQL database design
• Administer system installations, manage security, provide technical support, and oversee storage solutions across 10 geographic locations
• Prepare, test, and implement programs; evaluate results; and apply corrective actions as needed
• Train and mentor ITD staff and end-users to improve system literacy and support smooth deployments
• Respond to helpdesk questions and user inquiries related to CERS
• Rapidly diagnose and resolve bugs and defects in core production applications to maintain CERS availability
• Perform daily system checks, audits, and backups
• Implement urgent changes in response to regulatory or operational requirements
• Ensure system compatibility with evolving Agency IT standards and third-party integrations
• Coordinate with diverse stakeholders including domestic gins, mills, merchants, and federal agencies to deliver reliable, on-time services

Required Qualifications:

Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in each of the following areas:

• Collaborate with leadership to develop short- and long-range IT strategies, recommending system enhancements and process improvements
• Gather and analyze customer requirements to build comprehensive IT development and delivery plans
• Lead all HP NonStop programming efforts, including COBOL85, SCOBOL, TAL, and NonStop SQL database design
• Administer system installations, manage security, provide technical support, and oversee storage solutions across 10 geographic locations
• Prepare, test, and implement programs; evaluate results; and apply corrective actions as needed
• Train and mentor ITD staff and end-users to improve system literacy and support smooth deployments
• Respond to helpdesk questions and user inquiries related to CERS
• Rapidly diagnose and resolve bugs and defects in core production applications to maintain CERS availability
• Perform daily system checks, audits, and backups
• Implement urgent changes in response to regulatory or operational requirements
• Ensure system compatibility with evolving Agency IT standards and third-party integrations
• Coordinate with diverse stakeholders including domestic gins, mills, merchants, and federal agencies to deliver reliable, on-time services

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.

The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply for a position on our website, please get in touch with Heaven Wood via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 703-488-9377 to request accommodations.

Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352