Senior SQL Database Administrator

Think Tank Inc. is looking for qualified candidates for our proposal bid. Employment is contingent upon contract award.

Overview

Think Tank Inc. is seeking a Senior SQL Database Administrator to support the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO). This is a senior-level Key Personnel position serving as one of two SQL Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on a four-person DBA team supporting the GPO Enterprise. The position provides database administration, development, and maintenance across On-Premises servers and Cloud environments, including the SQL Cluster and stand-alone SQL databases.

GPO relies on server-based applications that require backend databases, with SQL and Oracle as the primary databases in use. This support allows GPO to maintain the functional integrity of the SQL Server and SQL Cluster environment and their accompanying applications, as well as the Oracle database environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily troubleshooting, system setup, error triage, and configuration for SQL Server and SQL Clusters.
• Manage request lifecycles from submission to closeout within ServiceNow.
• Perform proactive capacity planning and system health monitoring using Idera and SolarWinds.
• Respond to and execute assigned Requests for Changes (RFCs) for ongoing maintenance.
• Resolve related ServiceNow tickets according to operational SLAs.
• Assist users with building and configuring SQL and Oracle databases.
• Troubleshoot database issues (SQL, Oracle, MS Access) and application-level integrations (e.g., SharePoint) related to database support and development.
• Provide database administration, development, and maintenance across SQL Server, SQL Cluster, Oracle Database, MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle Grid, Oracle RMAN, and MS Access.
• Create and manage standalone SQL and Oracle databases.
• Identify and triage issues, perform server maintenance, execute software installations and patching, maintain High Availability (HA) systems, and execute Disaster Recovery (DR) protocols.
• Perform after-hours activities (patching, server reboots, server support activities) as scheduled in advance.
• Deliver a weekly report at the end of each work week detailing support activities and accomplishments.
• Determine the best course of action and negotiate deliverable timeframes with the customer.

Competency Expectations (DBA III)

• Provisioning and Configuration: Defines standards and golden configurations
• Backup and Restore: Governs strategy and drills
• Patching: Sets cadence and risk controls
• Performance Tuning: Internals, optimizer, and storage tuning
• HA/DR: Architects multi-region DR
• Monitoring and Alerting: Defines SLOs and unified taxonomy
• Security and Compliance: Owns policy and audits
• Scripting and Automation: Standards and governance
• Incident Management: Incident command and prevention

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in the required database disciplines.
• Demonstrated expertise across SQL, SQL Server, SQL Clustering, SQL Scripting, PL/SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, Oracle Grid, Oracle RMAN, and MS Access.
• Proven proficiency in creating and managing standalone SQL and Oracle databases.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and triage issues, perform server maintenance, execute software installations and patching, maintain HA systems, and execute DR protocols.
• In-depth understanding of SQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and SQL Cluster technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, collaborate within and across division teams, and communicate effectively with all levels of staff and management.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Must be able to pass a federal Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Oracle or SQL certifications.
• S. citizenship.

Work Environment

• Remote, per GPO IT Security policy and regulations.
• Core business hours between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM, 8 hours per day. Periodic after-hours work is scheduled in advance.
• Must be available via MS Teams while on duty.
• GPO provides a laptop and RSA secure ID (or RSA soft token).
• Work performed is unclassified and confidential.