SQL Database Administrator

Role: SQL Database Administrator

Engagement Type: Contract

Location: Initially Remote, eventually may be in-office at 1221 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, Ohio

Interview: Microsoft Teams

Short Description

SQL Server DBA responsible for server administration, database maintenance, configuration, performance tuning, security, and availability of Microsoft SQL Server database environments.

Complete Description

Database Maintenance & Configuration

• Install, configure, patch, and upgrade SQL Server instances across production, staging, and development environments.
• Manage server storage, system databases, and data file structures.

Performance Monitoring & Tuning

• Proactively monitor system health, resource allocation, and server metrics.
• Optimize database performance by writing or refining indexes, tuning complex queries, and resolving blocking or deadlock issues.
• Perform performance tuning and system configuration across multiple DBMS platforms.

Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Design, test, and execute reliable database backup and recovery policies.
• Implement High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) solutions, such as Always On Availability Groups, Log Shipping, Failover Cluster Instances, or database replication.

Database Architecture & Documentation

• Collaborate with IT development staff to design DBMS architecture and establish standards for data exchange, including robust data security models.
• Apply an understanding of business intelligence concepts when developing standards and best practices.
• Create comprehensive documentation covering installation procedures, monitoring, security policies, configuration changes, migration processes, and best practices for development teams.
• Work closely with the State Chief Information Security Officer to implement and enforce security standards established by the State of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Security & Compliance

• Implement strict role-based access control (RBAC), manage user logins and database permissions, and configure encryption at rest and in transit to maintain data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Developer Support & Code Review

• Assist development teams with schema refinement, table design, efficient data type selection, and code reviews for stored procedures, triggers, functions, and complex T-SQL queries.

Automation & Scripting

• Write T-SQL, PowerShell, or command-line scripts to automate routine DBA maintenance tasks, including index maintenance, integrity checks, statistics updates, backups, monitoring, and reporting.

Azure & On-Premises Database Administration

• Develop and orchestrate both Azure and on-premises Database Management System (DBMS) architectures, ensuring robust and scalable solutions.
• Administer Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server hosted on Azure Virtual Machines.
• Oversee the implementation and configuration of these DBMS platforms, aligning them with organizational objectives.
• Design and plan comprehensive High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) strategies, including careful hardware selection and recommendations tailored to system needs.
• Take the lead in configuring and deploying HA/DR solutions and managing replication processes to ensure data integrity and accessibility.
• Configure and support Azure database backup, monitoring, security, migration, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Use Azure Monitor to monitor database performance and availability, and Azure Key Vault to securely store passwords and other sensitive information.

Technical Leadership & Support

• Regularly monitor and fine-tune DBMS performance to optimize efficiency and reliability.
• Collaborate closely with IT Architecture staff, the Chief Information Officer, and IT Managers to devise solutions that fulfill agency requirements.
• Contribute to the analysis and development of the solution design’s business case, authoring relevant sections to support decision-making.
• Handle complex technical challenges by providing Tier III resolution for critical issues, reinforcing system stability and continuity.
• Develop database strategies to meet business needs and apply project planning principles, theories, practices, and techniques.
• Conduct formal mentorship activities for peers and lower-level staff, providing guidance through verbal instruction or technical documentation.
• When assigned, serve as a member of a Disaster Recovery/Business Resumption Team, Incident Response Team, or similar public health response team, which may require 24/7 operations at remote locations.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or an equivalent technical field, or equivalent work experience.

Experience

5+ years of dedicated hands-on experience managing enterprise-level Microsoft SQL Server database environments, including on-premises and Azure-based platforms.

Technical Proficiencies

• Deep expertise in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and underlying database internals.
• Advanced command of Transact-SQL (T-SQL) language syntax.
• Experience implementing SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages and Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) workflows.
• Experience supporting Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.
• Knowledge of Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Key Vault, Azure Backup, and Azure role-based access control.
• Experience migrating and integrating databases between on-premises SQL Server and Azure environments.
• Understanding of Azure database security, networking, scalability, cost optimization, and HA/DR capabilities.
• Hands-on familiarity with third-party monitoring and backup tools, such as Redgate.

Required/Desired Skills

• College Degree – Required – 4 Years
• Performance Monitoring & Tuning – Required – 5 Years
• Security & Compliance (RBAC) – Required – 5 Years
• Developer Support & Code Review – Required – 5 Years
• Microsoft SQL Server DBA (On-Premises & Azure-Based Platforms) – Required – 5 Years

Soft Skills

• Sharp analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to explain complex database issues to non-technical stakeholders.