Job Description

Database Administrator | 21744

Contract-to-hire: 6 Months
Hybrid: 4 Days Onsite
Local Candidates Only
Richmond, VA
No C2C Candidates


Key Responsibilities:
• Administer and maintain relational database management systems, including DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server environments.
• Plan, install, configure, and upgrade database instances to ensure optimal performance and availability.
• Design and implement database architectures at the enterprise level with high availability (HA), scalability, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Develop and enforce database security policies, access controls, and encryption to protect sensitive data.
• Monitor database performance, analyze metrics, identify bottlenecks, and apply optimizations to improve query efficiency and system responsiveness.
• Automate routine database tasks using scripting languages such as Python, Ansible, and Bash to reduce manual intervention.
• Execute backup, recovery, and disaster recovery plans to ensure data integrity and minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with developers and cross-functional teams to support application performance tuning and database access requirements.
• Manage bulk data loading processes and ensure timely and accurate data ingestion.
• Evaluate and implement database monitoring tools to proactively detect and resolve issues.
• Document database configurations, procedures, troubleshooting steps, and standards for knowledge sharing and compliance.
• Stay current with emerging database technologies, researching and recommending tools and methods to enhance database operations.
• Participate in after-hours support as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in relational database administration.
• 2+ years of experience administering DB2 databases.
• 2+ years of experience administering Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Strong understanding of relational databases and distributed database management.
• Proven experience in planning, installation, configuration, and maintenance of database instances.
• Expertise in architectural DB designs at an enterprise level including high availability (HA) and scalable architectures.
• Demonstrated ability in disaster recovery planning and execution in HA environments.
• High proficiency with physical database and schema design in 3rd normal form
• Experience with automation and scripting languages for database administration tasks (Python, Ansible, bash, etc.).
• Experience in evaluating and utilizing software products for RDBMS monitoring.
• Extensive experience in measuring RDBMS performance, using performance metrics to identify bottlenecks, and planning system-level configurations and other optimizations to mitigate performance bottlenecks.
• Highly skilled in tuning and optimizing poorly performing queries.
• Hands-on experience with bulk loading of structured data.
• Familiarity with database security best practices and techniques.
• Ability to interface with developers to understand and address performance and data access requirements.
• Development of standards and procedures for database environments.
• Proven ability to stay current with new database technology developments and techniques, researching new software and tools, and proactively recommending improvements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including other DBAs, software engineers, designers, and project managers.
• Effective time management skills to handle multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve issues related to database performance and application software.
• Technical expertise in database administration and management, including scripting, stored procedures, and automation tools.
• Self-driven learner that embraces automation and new technologies as they mature.

Preferred Qualifications:
• 12+ years of hands-on experience in relational database administration.
• 6+ years of experience administering DB2.
• 6+ years of experience administering Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Certification in DB2 administration or related technologies.
• Hands on experience with RDBMS versioning software (LiquiBase, Flyway, etc.).
• Experience with change data capture and replication technologies such as IBM Infosphere Data Replication.
• Familiarity with JSON/document databases such as Couchbase or Mongo DB.
• Experience administering other RDBMS (Oracle, PostgreSQL, Mira DB).
• Familiarity with cloud-based database solutions.
• Ability to identify process improvements and implement new tools for increased efficiency and productivity.

Education:
• A master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.