ICT Database Administrator

Durham Constabulary; North East; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham Constabulary Headquarters is seeking a Database Administrator to join the Data team. You will support and maintain databases across in-house and third-party applications, focusing on performance, high availability, backups, DR, and security.

Working within ITIL-aligned SLA frameworks, you will design solutions, mentor juniors, and contribute to policing services. A relevant degree and at least three years of experience with SQL Server, Azure SQL, or Oracle are expected.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent industry recognised qualification.
• At least 3 years professional experience across a variety of database systems.
• At least 3 years previous technical experience using Microsoft technologies including in depth knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL.
• A strong commitment to public service and our organisational values.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision‑making capabilities.
• Relevant qualifications and/or experience for the role.

Responsibilities

• Perform a wide spectrum of Database Administration using an Enterprise grade RDBMS including SQL Server & Oracle (desirable) including HA design, installation, backups, DR/recovery, security, performance tuning, patching.
• Provide specialist technical support and assistance to projects ensuring delivery of non-functional requirements and continual service improvement.
• Be responsible for preparations and support of IT operations solutions and services- physical or virtual- according to industry and organisational best practices standards, service requirements and key performance Indicators (KPIs) throughout the product life cycle.
• Coach and mentor junior team members and assist in the provision of first‑class services and consistent levels of capability as required by the Force.
• Deliver high standards of service aligned with organisational priorities
• Contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our communities
• Work effectively as part of a team in a demanding but rewarding environment
• Support continuous improvement and organisational excellence
• Adhere to policies, procedures, and professional standards at all times

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Public service motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

Azure SQL

Oracle

Job description

Location: Durham Constabulary Headquarters

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Closing Date: 2 nd September 2026

Please quote job ref: 111/26

Make a Difference – Join Our Team

We are looking for dedicated and motivated individuals to join Durham Constabulary, helping to protect our communities and deliver an outstanding policing service. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful work where your skills and commitment will make a real impact.

The Role

To support, monitor and maintain the databases that service all in-house and third party supplied applications as well as designing and developing performant new database solutions that support the Force’s plan on a page. The database administrator role will sit within the Data team that is part of the Applications & Data Management Section. The role will be looking at performance tuning, high availability, backup, patching and DR across the Forces database environments.

Championing efficient and reliable use, and re-use, of the core platform to manage the quality, integrity, capacity, and performance with security at the forefront. In this role, you will be expected to use your knowledge of technology, user needs and business goals to frame problems and set priorities, while working within the parameters of the Departments Service Level Agreements, the Service Catalogue and ITIL.

As part of our team, you will play a vital role in supporting operational policing and delivering high-quality services to the public. Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will collaborate with colleagues and partners to achieve positive outcomes and uphold our core values of professionalism, integrity, and service.

What You’ll Do

• Perform a wide spectrum of Database Administration using a Enterprise grade RDBMS including SQL Server & Oracle (desirable) including HA design, installation, backups, DR/recovery, security, performance tuning, patching.
• Provide specialist technical support and assistance to projects ensuring delivery of non-functional requirements and continual service improvement.
• Be responsible for preparations and support of IT operations solutions and services- physical or virtual- according to industry and organisational best practices standards, service requirements and key performance Indicators (KPIs) throughout the product life cycle.
• Coach and mentor junior team members and assist in the provision of first‑class services and consistent levels of capability as required by the Force.
• Deliver high standards of service aligned with organisational priorities
• Contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our communities
• Work effectively as part of a team in a demanding but rewarding environment
• Support continuous improvement and organisational excellence
• Adhere to policies, procedures, and professional standards at all times

What You’ll Bring

• A relevant degree or equivalent industry recognised qualification.
• At least 3 years professional experience across a variety of database systems.
• At least 3 years previous technical experience using Microsoft technologies including in depth knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL
• A strong commitment to public service and our organisational values.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision‑making capabilities.
• Relevant qualifications and/or experience for the role.

If you hold a higher qualification than those required above or minimum 5 years relevant experience, please evidence this on your application and it will be reviewed by our recruitment team.

For further information, please view the Job Description and Person Specification attached.

Candidates must have indefinite leave to work and live in the UK and be free from any restriction. Any successful candidate will be asked to provide evidence of this.

Candidates will be contacted via email in relation to the recruitment process and are advised to also check junk and spam folders for email updates.

We are committed to equal opportunities, we therefore encourage you to complete and return the equality monitoring form. This form is optional, and your responses will be kept confidential and for statistical purposes only.

Please note: some documents may not currently be suited for use with assistive technology. If you require information in an alternative format, please contact us.

Further information

Any offer of employment will be subject to appropriate vetting checks which will be maintained/updated throughout the period of service.

Applicants must have been a UK resident for at least three years prior to the date of application.

If applicants have not been a resident in the UK for at least three years and can provide a VERIFIABLE certificate from the police of any country where they have taken temporary residence. The certificate must indicate that they have not been convicted of any offence whilst in that country or involved in any investigation by a Law Enforcement Agency.

Any tattoos deemed to be obscene, or advocates sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination, by written word or design is prohibited and the presence of such a tattoo would preclude an applicant from passing the recruitment process for employment with the Constabulary.

Please note: some documents may not currently be suited for use with assistive technology. If you require information in an alternative format, please contact us.