Senior Database Administrator

University of Pennsylvania

3d•$84,961 - $110,000

About The Position

The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine is seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator to lead the administration, optimization, maintenance, and ongoing support of SQL Server databases, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), and the Snowflake cloud data environment. The role supports reliable, secure, and efficient access to institutional data and includes database performance tuning, reporting, data management, and governance. The successful candidate will bring experience in healthcare and/or higher education data environments and will support research and data science initiatives by ensuring the availability, quality, and integrity of datasets used in AI and machine learning, including cleansing, transforming, validating, and preparing data for machine learning and deep learning applications. The Senior DBA works with IT support staff, researchers, data scientists, information security professionals, application development teams, financial staff, faculty, students, and institutional leadership. The position supports Penn Vet’s academic, clinical, and research activities across classrooms, veterinary hospital facilities, and research laboratories. The work environment includes areas where animals may be present.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or related field experience.
3–5 years of experience in database administration, engineering, or related technical roles.
Strong expertise with Microsoft SQL Server, including administration, optimization, indexing, replication, and clustering.
Hands-on experience managing and optimizing Snowflake or similar cloud data platforms.
Experience in healthcare and/or university data environments.
Skills in report development and SQL-based data extraction.
Experience preparing datasets for AI, machine learning, and deep learning, including data cleansing and transformation.
Familiarity with HIPAA, FERPA, data privacy, and security best practices.
Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with monitoring tools, backup systems, and ITSM platforms.
Strong verbal and written communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to work under minimal supervision within the context of job responsibilities.
Vendor management experience.
Ability to work in an environment where animals are present.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
SQL Server certification or equivalent strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead administration, maintenance, optimization, and ongoing support of SQL Server databases, SSRS, and the Snowflake cloud data environment.
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize database performance to ensure enterprise data systems are highly available, reliable, and scalable.
Develop, maintain, and support reporting solutions and data management processes.
Ensure the availability, quality, integrity, and security of institutional data across database and reporting platforms.
Manage datasets used in AI and machine learning research and analytics initiatives.
Cleanse, transform, validate, and prepare data for machine learning and deep learning applications.
Implement and maintain data management best practices, standards, and governance procedures.
Collaborate with researchers, data scientists, and technical teams to identify data requirements and deliver reliable data solutions.
Partner with information security professionals on data protection, compliance, and secure access to institutional information.
Work with application development teams on database integration, application functionality, and system performance.
Provide technical support and consultation to IT staff, financial teams, researchers, faculty, and institutional leadership regarding database and reporting solutions.
Develop and maintain database documentation, processes, procedures, and operational standards.
Support technology and data needs of faculty, staff, and students in academic, clinical, and research environments.
Provide database and reporting support for classrooms, veterinary hospital facilities, research laboratories, and other organizational operations.
Participate in strategic planning and continuous improvement related to database administration, reporting, analytics, and data architecture.
Work effectively with diverse stakeholders to deliver data-driven solutions and support institutional objectives.
Perform duties in classrooms, research facilities, clinical settings, and areas where animals may be present.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Flexible spending accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn, and for dependent children at other institutions.
Basic, matching, and supplemental retirement plans, with pre-tax or Roth savings options.
Substantial time away from work during the year.
Long-term care insurance.
Wellness and work-life programs and resources.
Professional and personal development resources.
Access to University resources, libraries, athletic facilities, and cultural and recreational activities.
Discounts and special services, including arts and entertainment, transportation, mortgages, goods, and services.
Flexible work options and work hours.
Forgivable homeownership loan for eligible employees buying a home or residing in West Philadelphia.
Adoption expense reimbursement for eligible employees, for up to two adoptions in the household.