Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Under direction, leads the design, implementation, administration and maintenance of the District’s relational database systems that support the functional requirements of application systems used by the operating departments. This classification is also responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing database policies and procedures to ensure the integrity and availability of databases and their accompanying software.

Essential job functions are fundamental, core functions common to positions in a classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are designed to be descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents may complete one or all of the job duties listed or tasks of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Leads the development of standards, processes and procedures (creating KBs, runbooks, topology) and ensuring consistency in operations.
• Assesses and develops long-term strategic goals for production databases in conjunction with data owners and department managers.
• Leads the design and development of new databases; assists with the installation and testing of new databases.
• Develops operations to ensure optimal performance, availability and scalability of all critical database environments at all times.
• Develops, tests and implements SQL program code and application code for use with databases.
• Leads the troubleshooting of any database performance or stability issues.
• Identifies sub-optimal database architecture, design, or operational practices and leads the execution of projects to address them.
• Defines, reviews and implements database backup and recovery strategies.
• Plans, coordinates and implements appropriate security, indexes, access controls, constraints, triggers and other database-related features to safeguard database against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
• Creates monitoring standards and practices to ensure complete visibility of all database operations and supporting infrastructure.
• Monitors performance of application programs with respect to associated databases and performs required performance tuning actions to ensure database stability and efficiency; recommends changes to data storage practices to optimize efficient use of space and prevent unnecessary database growth.
• Provides technical support to other analysts and technical staff related to database design and administration; troubleshoots more complex database issues.
• Works with application development staff to develop database architectures, coding standards, and quality assurance policies and procedures.
• Designs and implements redundant systems, policies, and procedures for disaster recovery and data archiving to ensure effective protection and integrity of data assets.
• Performs database transaction and security audits.
• Creates, or supports creation of, required reports in response to business user needs.
• Assigns, supervises and reviews work; ensures staff compliance with District policies and procedures including Personnel Rules and Administrative Procedures; completes performance reviews; addresses employee complaints and grievances; may recommend employment actions such as hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion or discharge.

• Prepares budgetary estimates, contracts and purchase requisitions for goods and services within assigned area of responsibility.
• Provides training to subordinates.
• Provides after hours and weekend support when required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work is performed in a typical office environment and requires the use of standard office equipment including computers.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, procedures and methodologies relating to database design, control, administration and usage in support of application systems.
• Thorough knowledge of data processing flowcharting techniques and entity relationship diagrams.
• Thorough knowledge of database and database server performance tuning.
• Thorough knowledge of SQL programming on RDBMS platforms.
• Knowledge of the operating characteristics and limitations of common computer hardware and software utilized by the District.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Skill in managing clustered RDBMS systems.
• Ability to lead technical project teams.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinate analysts and administrative staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in information technology, computer science or a closely related field and six years of experience in database development and/or administration.

Graduate study in computer science or a closely related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years. Full-time paid experience in database development and/or administration may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.  A Microsoft MCITP SQL Server certification may be substituted for one year of the required education or experience.

• One year of service with the District as a Database Administrator.
• Civil service status as a Database Administrator.