Database Administrator-Locals Only

Job Type Contractor

Initially remote but eventually maybe in-office at 1221 McKinley Avenue, Columbus Ohio.

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.

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. Perform performance tuning and system configuration across multiple DBMS platforms. Throughout the application lifecycle, 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.

The SQL Server DBA provides server administration for Microsoft SQL Server database products.

The DBA3 will be responsible for implementing, configuring, maintaining, and ensuring the performance and availability of SQL Server systems to keep corporate applications available and running smoothly.

Soft Skills: Sharp analytical and troubleshooting skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to explain complex database issues to non-technical stakeholders.

Develops and orchestrates both Azure and on-premises Database Management System (DBMS) architectures, ensuring robust and scalable solutions. Administers Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server hosted on Azure Virtual Machines. Oversees the implementation and configuration of these DBMS platforms, aligning them with organizational objectives. Designs and plans comprehensive High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) strategies, including careful hardware selection and recommendations tailored to system needs. Takes the lead in configuring and deploying HA/DR solutions and managing replication processes to ensure data integrity and accessibility.

Configures and supports Azure database backup, monitoring, security, migration, and disaster recovery solutions. Uses Azure Monitor to monitor database performance and availability, and Azure Key Vault to securely store passwords and other sensitive information.

Regularly monitors and fine-tunes DBMS performance to optimize efficiency and reliability. Collaborates closely with IT Architecture staff, the Chief Information Officer, and IT Managers to devise solutions that fulfill agency requirements. Contributes to the analysis and development of the solution design’s business case, authoring relevant sections to support decision-making. Handles complex technical challenges by providing Tier III resolution for critical issues, reinforcing system stability and continuity.

Develops database strategies to meet business needs and applies project planning principles, theories, practices, and techniques. Conducts formal mentorship activities for peers and lower-level staff, providing guidance through verbal instruction or technical documentation. When assigned, serves 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.