Position Description & Job Skill Set

Role: SQL Database Administrator (DBA)
Client: Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services (MDCPS)

Position Overview

MDCPS is seeking an experienced and technically proficient SQL Database Administrator (DBA) with a minimum of 5+ years of SQL database administration experience.

The DBA will be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing database systems, ensuring high levels of performance, security, and availability. This role requires hands-on expertise in database operations, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to database-related issues and user-reported errors in a timely manner
• Perform regular database maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting
• Write, review, and optimize complex SQL queries and in-application SQL statements
• Ensure database performance, security, and availability
• Manage database lifecycle activities, including:
  • Upgrades
  • Backups
  • Recovery
  • Migration
• Monitor and profile server resource usage and optimize performance
• Implement security measures to protect databases from threats and unauthorized access
• Generate reports on database usage, performance, and health metrics
• Recommend improvements for database performance, maintenance, and security
• Collaborate with:
  • IT project managers
  • Developers
  • Other stakeholders
• Design and maintain databases considering both front-end and back-end requirements
• Maintain technical documentation, procedures, and specifications

Required Technical Skills & Experience

Core Database Expertise

• Minimum 5+ years of SQL Database Administration experience
• Strong experience with modern relational databases
• Expertise in:
  • Query optimization for large and complex SQL statements
  • Database performance tuning
  • Backup and recovery strategies
  • Database security best practices

Technical Capabilities

• Ability to:
  • Configure and manage database engines
  • Orchestrate database clusters
  • Plan resource requirements from high-level specifications
  • Troubleshoot common database issues
• Experience with:
  • Server performance monitoring and optimization tools
  • Code versioning tools such as GitLab
  • SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services) packages

Operational Responsibilities

• Ensure data integrity, availability, and recoverability
• Monitor system health and proactively address issues
• Maintain high standards of database governance and compliance

Business & Soft Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues
• Ability to provide recommendations for continuous improvement

Skill Proficiency Matrix

Experience Levels:

• Beginner: 1–2 years
• Intermediate: 3–5 years
• Advanced: 5–7 years
• SME: 7+ years

Operating Systems & Database Platforms

Programming / Development