Senior SQL Server DBA

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Title: Sr. SQL Server DBA

Location: Mechanicsville, VA, (Hybrid)

Position Type: Contract

Interview Mode: Both Web Cam and In Person Interview

The selected candidate has:

• Expertise working as a SQL Server DBA
• Expertise working with SQL clustering, mirroring and high availability
• Experience working with large SQL databases
• Expertise in writing Transact SQL
• Experience tuning SQL Server databases
• Expertise in installing, upgrading, patching and migrating SQL Server databases
• Experience working on a Windows platform
• Exposure to SSIS, SSAS, & SSRS
• Experience working with Azure Cloud

The selected candidate will:

• Monitor databases to maintain/ensure database uptime and availability.
• Troubleshoot application/database issues related to connectivity, access, security, etc.
• Tune long running SQL
• Review & refine existing database tasks and processes to better align with agency/group priorities.
• Leverage & utilize O/S scripting utilities in support of database maintenance/diagnosis/support.
• Review the existing database implementation and propose, execute, and/or direct necessary changes.
• Perform SQL Server installations (2022,2025+ w/failover clustering).
• Support SQL Server databases (administration, support, tuning).
• Knowledgeable of data modelling principles

Be expected to...

• Rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Independently perform a variety of complicated tasks.
• Work with a team of Engineering and Operations professionals.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both speaking and in writing.

Qualifications:

• At least 6 years of experience w/ Microsoft SQL Server database
• At least 1 year of Azure, Snowflake, or Databricks experience (a certification is acceptable in lieu of experience)
• Master’s degree in computer science, information systems or other applicable and/or equivalent skills, knowledge and/or work history
• Demonstrated experience in communicating effectively using standard requirements and design artifacts
• Minimum 3–4 years hands-on experience upgrading E‑Z Pass Virginia Tolling SQL Server environments from SQL 2012 to SQL 2019, including compatibility evaluations, Query Tuning Assistant, and Database Migration Assistant.
• Experience diagnosing and resolving deadlocks and blocking in Tolling production workloads, including extended events, Query Store, and wait statistic analysis.
• Experience tuning Very Large Databases (2 TB+) including index optimization, long‑running workload analysis, and minimizing resource contention.

Desired knowledge of and experience with the following technologies:

• SQL Server 2019+
• Cloud databases (Azure, Snowflake, and/or Databricks)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• This position requires a fingerprint-based background check.
• The successful contractor will be required to continue education at own expense to stay current with VDOT technologies.

Required/Desired Skills

Skill | Required /Desired | Amount | Actual Years of Experience
MS SQL Server Database Management | Required | 6 |

SQL Server Tuning | Required | 3 |

Upgrading E-ZPass tolling databases | Required | 2 |

Diagnosing and resolving deadlocks and blocking in Tolling production workloads | Required | 3 |

Tuning Very Large Databases (2 TB+) including index optimization, long-running workload analysis, and minimizing resource contention | Required | 2 |

Experience working with SSIS, SSRS & SSAS | Required | 3 |

Coding & debugging Transact SQL | Required | 1 |

Expertise in installing, upgrading, patching and migrating SQLServer databases | Required | 4 |

DB Administration on Azure Cloud, Snowflake, and/or Databricks | Nice to have | 1 |

Flexible work from home options available.