Specialist Database Administrator (MS-SQL)

Job purpose:

The MS SQL Database Administrator is responsible for the comprehensive management, optimization, and maintenance of SQL Server databases to ensure high performance, availability, reliability, and security. This role is pivotal in supporting organizational data needs, including database design, performance tuning, capacity planning, backup and recovery, and ensuring compliance with industry best practices. The administrator collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues, implement database solutions, and contribute to the continuous improvement of database systems to meet current and future business objectives.

Key activities:

1. Core DBA Administration

• Install, configure, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server instances in production and non-production environments.
• Perform regular database health checks, patching, maintenance tasks, and tuning.
• Monitor performance using SQL native tools and third-party monitoring platforms.

2. SQL Server Upgrades & Migrations

• Plan and execute version upgrades, hotfixes, cumulative updates, and instance migrations.
• Ensure system stability, compatibility, and minimal downtime during upgrade activities.
• Perform pre-upgrade validation and post-upgrade testing.

3. High Availability & Disaster Recovery

• Configure and support Database Mirroring, Log Shipping, Always On Availability Groups, and Failover Clustering.
• Conduct regular failover testing and maintain DR documentation.
• Ensure RPO/RTO targets are consistently met.

4. SQL Agent Jobs & Automation

• Create and maintain SQL Agent jobs, alerts, notifications, and schedules.
• Automate repetitive tasks using T-SQL and PowerShell scripts.
• Troubleshoot job failures and ensure SLA adherence.

5. Performance Tuning

• Optimize SQL queries, stored procedures, indexes, and server configurations.
• Analyze execution plans, wait stats, memory allocation, and I/O patterns.
• Work with developers to implement database best practices.

6. Security & Compliance

• Implement database security best practices (encryption, auditing, least privilege access).
• Conduct regular permission reviews and compliance checks.
• Ensure adherence to compliance standards where applicable.

7. Business-As-Usual (BAU) Responsibilities

The role includes ongoing BAU operational support to ensure database stability and availability:

i) Daily Activities

• Monitor database performance, space usage, backups, and SQL Agent jobs.
• Respond to alerts from monitoring tools (blocking, deadlocks, job failures, storage alerts).
• Perform daily health checks and provide status updates to IT operations.

ii) Weekly / Monthly BAU Tasks

• Validate backup & restore functionality, including test restores.
• Review index fragmentation and run maintenance jobs (rebuild/reorganize).
• Patch SQL Servers during maintenance windows.
• Perform capacity planning for CPU, memory, storage, and workload growth.
• Incident & Problem Management
• Troubleshoot production issues under critical timelines (blocking, slow queries, failover events).
• Provide root cause analysis (RCA) for major incidents.
• Log incidents and service requests in ITSM (ServiceNow/Jira/etc.) and follow proper escalation procedures.

iii)Change Management

• Review and implement change requests (code releases, schema updates, configuration changes).
• Ensure adherence to ITIL processes for deployments and production changes.
• Participate in CAB meetings when required.

iv) User & Application Support

• Support application teams with database access, query optimization, and data-related issues.
• Create/modify users, roles, permissions, and audit rules.
• Work closely with developers and business teams for enhancements and troubleshooting.

v) Documentation

• Maintain up-to-date documentation of database configurations, runbooks, and support procedures.
• Update operational guidelines regularly.

Formal education:

• Official acknowledged university / college qualifications
• Certified corresponding post education or training in MS-SQL database administration areas.

Specialist knowledge (work experience, further qualification)

Essential Skills

• 5-6 years of experience in MS SQL database administration with working knowledge of Google Cloud or Azure platforms.
• Competency in MS SQL administration, including backup/recovery and monitoring.
• Experience in problem analysis resolution and error debugging, including raising support requests with vendors.
• Database performance tuning (addressing configuration-related issues and optimizing application code).
• Expertise in database installation, configuration, patching, and maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of MS SQL High Availability (HA) solutions and disaster recovery strategies.
• Proficiency in backup and recovery tasks, cloning, and duplication of databases.
• Knowledge of space management, object reorganization, and database migration processes.
• Experience with database user management, covering authorization and authentication processes.
• Hands-on experience in analysing database performance reports for optimization opportunities.
• Advanced batch scripting and SQL database programming skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of database security, including key rotation concepts and network traffic encryption in cloud environments.

Preferred Technical Skills:

• Familiarity with PostgreSQL or Oracle database platforms is a strong advantage.
• Understanding of software methodologies, IT security protocols, and quality assurance practices.
• Self-motivated troubleshooting and enthusiasm for learning new technologies.

Personal Skills:

• Organized, goal-oriented, and methodical approach to work.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Critical Skills/Work Attitude:
• Proficiency in English for effective communication.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge and practical experience in cloud technologies such as Google Cloud or Azure.