Senior Database Administrator

This position is fully-remote. Must meet all minimum requirements for consideration.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Senior Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for designing, developing, administering, and optimizing Microsoft SQL Server databases to support both in-house applications and third-party platforms.  This role bridges application development and production operations, ensuring databases are built for performance, scalability, and stability.  The ideal candidate will work closely with developers to design efficient database structures and write optimized SQL, while also overseeing critical operational tasks such as backups, high availability, monitoring, and compliance.

The Senior DBA will provide technical leadership, enforce database standards, and help shape strategies for current and future database initiatives.  This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a 6C clearance. The organization will sponsor and guide the selected candidate through the clearance process.  This position includes participating in internal and external audits, including STIG compliance reviews, to ensure compliance with security, regulatory, and organizational standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Database Administration & Operations

• Manage and maintain SQL Server environments, including installation, configuration, patching, and upgrades.
• Design and maintain high-availability solutions such as AlwaysOn Availability Groups and clustering.
• Monitor database performance and proactively address capacity and stability concerns.
• Ensure robust backup and disaster recovery strategies are implemented and tested.
• Maintain database security and compliance through roles, permissions, encryption, and auditing.
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation to troubleshoot and resolve production issues, ensuring system availability and minimal downtime.
• Provide timely incident response, root cause analysis, and resolution for urgent database related issues.

SQL Development & Performance Tuning

• Write, review, and optimize T-SQL queries, stored procedures, and functions for performance and reliability.
• Perform code reviews and mentor developers on SQL best practices.
• Analyze and troubleshoot performance issues using execution plans, DMVs, and monitoring tools.
• Collaborate with developers to ensure efficient interaction between applications and database layers.

Change Management & Deployment

• Support development teams throughout the SDLC, including test, staging, and production environments.
• Utilize ServiceNow (or similar ITSM tools) to document and track incidents, problems, and change requests.
• Establish and enforce change management processes for database objects and deployments.
• Review and validate all changes prior to production release.

SSIS (ETL Development)

• Design, build, and maintain SSIS packages to support ETL processes, data migrations, and integrations between internal and external systems.
• Ensure SSIS workflows are optimized, error-handled, and well-documented for maintainability and scalability.
• Establish standards and templates for SSIS development to ensure consistency across environments.

PBIRS (Reporting Solutions)

• Create and maintain PBIRS reports and dashboards, delivering accurate, actionable data to business teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather reporting requirements and design solutions that balance performance and usability.
• Partner with business units to support analytics and data-driven decision-making.

Quality Assurance

• Validate database designs and changes align with business requirements and performance goals.
• Participate in testing, performance benchmarking, and release reviews.
• Conduct post-implementation assessments to identify areas for improvement.

Continuous Improvement & Mentorship

• Stay current with Microsoft SQL Server features, best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Document procedures, troubleshooting guides, and knowledge base solutions.
• Provide mentorship and training to developers and junior DBAs.

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Partner with management to develop database strategies, capacity planning, and licensing optimization.
• Evaluate new SQL Server features, tools, and technologies for future adoption.
• Support both on-premises and cloud environments, including planning migrations to Azure SQL or AWS or other cloud database services.

Security & Compliance

• Implement and enforce data security standards, including encryption, auditing, and access control.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Regularly review and audit permissions to maintain least-privilege access.
• Define and maintain data retention and archiving policies to support compliance and audit readiness.
• Participate in internal and external audits, including STIG compliance reviews, providing documentation, evidence, and explanation related to database security, backup practices, and data handling procedures.

Monitoring & Automation

• Utilize SQL Sentry and other monitoring tools to track performance, availability, and resource usage.
• Fine-tune alerts and dashboards for proactive issue detection before they impact production systems.
• Analyze performance data to identify trends, perform root cause analysis, and recommend optimizations.
• Enhance and maintain automated maintenance tasks, such as index maintenance, statistics updates, and health checks.
• Partner with infrastructure and development teams to align improvements with business priorities.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work with infrastructure teams to optimize storage, networking, and server resources.
• Provide database performance metrics and capacity reports to stakeholders.
• Support business teams by delivering accurate, timely data for analytics and reporting.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform other duties as assigned by IT Management. This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other tasks or responsibilities as needed to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field (additional equivalent experience above the required minimum may substitute).
• 5+ years of SQL Server database administration and development experience in a distributed, high-availability environment.
• Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a federal 6C Public Trust (sponsored by the organization). Must be a U.S. Citizen to obtain.
• Expert-level proficiency in T-SQL, including advanced query optimization techniques.
• Strong knowledge of SQL Server internals, indexing strategies, partitioning, and performance tuning.
• Hands-on experience with high-availability features, including AlwaysOn Availability Groups and clustering.
• Advanced experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), including building, optimizing, and troubleshooting complex ETL processes.
• Strong expertise with SQL Server Report Server (PBIRS) for creating reports, dashboards, and analytics solutions.
• Solid understanding of backup, restore, and disaster recovery practices.
• Ability and willingness to participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation for production support.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience supporting internal and external audits, including providing documentation and evidence of database compliance controls.
• Familiarity with ServiceNow or similar IT service management tools is a plus.

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• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, governmental regulations, and business documentation.
• Reports writing skills and documentation.
• Capable of leading technical meetings, presenting information clearly, and responding to complex questions.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret technical instructions in various formats and apply them to real-world scenarios.
• Demonstrated experience with incident management, problem management, and capacity management disciplines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with PowerShell scripting for automation.
• Experience with cloud database platforms, such as Azure SQL or AWS RDS.
• Knowledge of data warehouse design and reporting practices.
• Experience with performance monitoring tools beyond SQL Sentry (e.g., Redgate, SolarWinds, SQL Profiler).
• Familiarity with STIG compliance and supporting systems through security hardening and audit readiness.
• Background in the financial services industry.

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