Senior MS SQL Server Database Administrator
About The Position
The Senior MS SQL Server Database Administrator will join the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Tolling Engineering and Operations Team to administer, maintain, and support SQL Server and cloud database environments used by critical tolling applications and business operations. This remote contract role focuses on database administration, cloud database technologies, performance optimization, high availability, and operational support. The DBA is responsible for maintaining database availability, optimizing performance, troubleshooting technical issues, and supporting database installations, upgrades, migrations, and high-availability configurations. The role also includes rotating help desk and application support responsibilities. The successful candidate will independently manage complex technical assignments and collaborate and communicate with engineering, operations, application development, technical support, and business stakeholders. Candidates must physically reside in the United States throughout the assignment, be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, and successfully complete a fingerprint-based background check. They must maintain knowledge of VDOT technologies through continuing education at their own expense.
Requirements
- At least 2 years of experience managing and administering Microsoft SQL Server databases.
- At least 2 years of experience installing, upgrading, patching, and migrating SQL Server databases.
- At least 1 year of experience with SQL Server database performance tuning and optimization.
- At least 1 year of experience writing, coding, and debugging Transact-SQL (T-SQL).
- At least 1 year of experience with Microsoft Azure, Snowflake, or Databricks; an applicable certification may be accepted in place of this experience.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related discipline, or equivalent skills, knowledge, and professional work experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in SQL Server database administration and support.
- Knowledge of SQL Server clustering, database mirroring, and high-availability configurations.
- Experience supporting large SQL Server databases and complex database environments.
- Experience administering SQL Server databases on Windows operating systems.
- Ability to troubleshoot database connectivity, security, access, and application-related issues.
- Knowledge of database maintenance procedures, SQL Server installations, and system upgrades.
- Experience communicating technical information using standard requirements and design documentation.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
- Ability to independently manage complex assignments and collaborate effectively with engineering and operations teams.
- Must successfully complete a fingerprint-based background check.
- Must maintain knowledge of current VDOT technologies through continuing education at personal expense.
- Must physically reside within the United States throughout the assignment; offshore IT contractors are not permitted.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.
Nice To Haves
- At least 1 year of experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS).
- At least 1 year of experience administering cloud databases using Microsoft Azure, Snowflake, and/or Databricks.
- Familiarity with Microsoft SQL Server 2019 and later versions.
- Knowledge of cloud database architecture, administration, and operational support.
- Experience supporting cloud-based data platforms in enterprise environments.
Responsibilities
- Administer, maintain, monitor, and support Microsoft SQL Server database environments.
- Perform SQL Server installations, upgrades, patching, migrations, and configuration activities.
- Support SQL Server 2022, SQL Server 2025 and later versions, including failover clustering configurations.
- Monitor database health, availability, connectivity, and operational performance.
- Manage large SQL Server databases and support scalability, stability, and efficiency.
- Review database implementations and recommend, execute, or coordinate improvements.
- Support high-availability technologies, including SQL Server clustering, mirroring, and failover configurations.
- Analyze and tune SQL Server databases to improve performance and resource utilization.
- Identify, troubleshoot, and optimize long-running SQL queries.
- Write, debug, and maintain Transact-SQL (T-SQL) queries and scripts.
- Diagnose and resolve database and application issues involving connectivity, access, security, and performance.
- Review database maintenance activities and refine operational processes to align with agency priorities.
- Use Windows operating system scripting utilities for database maintenance, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and administration.
- Support cloud database environments and related database administration activities, including work with Microsoft Azure and other applicable data platforms.
- Apply data modeling principles to support database design, maintenance, and optimization.
- Collaborate with technical teams on database architecture, implementation, and operational improvements.
- Participate in rotating help desk and application support responsibilities with the Tolling Engineering and Operations Team.
- Troubleshoot database-related application incidents and support timely issue resolution.
- Help maintain operational continuity and system availability for tolling applications.
- Evaluate database procedures and recommend improvements to support organizational priorities.
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, application development, and technical support professionals.
- Communicate technical findings, recommendations, and solutions to relevant stakeholders.
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation using standard requirements and design artifacts.
- Independently plan, prioritize, and complete complex database administration assignments.
- Apply professional judgment and technical expertise to resolve challenging operational issues.
- Maintain current technical knowledge of database technologies and VDOT-supported systems.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Senior
