Database Administrator/Programmer (2453)

Northern Illinois University; DeKalb (IL); On-site; CLP 64,103,000 - 88,757,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Illinois University is seeking a Database Administrator/Programmer for Testing Services to manage data processing, database design, and software development. You will ensure data integrity, support reporting, and collaborate with Registration and Records, MyNIU, and related teams.

The role emphasizes database administration, software development, and data analysis within a university environment, requiring strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years or more in IT-related coursework or work experience required.
• Experience in software development and database support preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform database administration tasks including MS Access design, queries, forms, reports, and VBA modules.
• Handle daily data processing and ensure secure storage of student information.
• Develop and maintain in-house software applications using VB.Net and MS Office automation.
• Assist with testing services data integrity and interoperability with NIU student information systems.

Skills

Database administration

SQL queries

MS Access

VB.Net

MS Visual Studio

Data security

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years IT-related coursework or work experience

Tools

MS Access

VB.Net

MS Visual Studio

SQL queries

Job description

Find your Career at Northern Illinois University!

Classification

Classification Information Technology Technical Associate - CUSTOM CLASSIFICATION

Position Number

Position Number 00002453

Open Date

Open Date 10/29/2026

Close Date

Close Date 11/19/2026

Priority Review Date

Employee Class

Employee Class Staff

Full-Time/Part Time

Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.00

Position Status

Position Status Regular

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Job code

Job code 5031

Union Representation

Union Representation Non-Union

Union Code

Union Code N/A

Unit/Department

Unit/Department Testing Services

College/Unit

Division

Division Academic Division

Location

Location CL 120

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

NIU Testing Services provides testing services and resources to the NIU community, including placement tests for new Huskies. We also assist undergraduate/graduate students and the public with proctored/correspondence testing and national standardized testing, such as the College Level Examination Program ( CLEP ).
Our services for faculty and staff include exam and course evaluation processing.

Position Summary

The Database Administrator/Programmer reports directly to the Director of Testing Services. The Database Administrator/Programmer is responsible for data processing, database administration, data scanning/report generation and the design and development of software applications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Database Administration

• Responsible for all database administration activities within Testing Services Database Administration activities include: MS Access database design, writing SQL queries, maintaining lookup tables, designing/maintaining MS Access forms/reports, writing/maintaining VBA code modules in MS Access databases.
• Responsible for daily database maintenance activities like importing data from NIU student information systems.
• Resolve discrepancies in student records between the Testing Services database, MyNIU, and Slate.
• Manage the day-to-day activities related to Anthology on-line evaluation system.

Data Processing

• Responsible for classroom exam processing within Testing Services under the direction of the Coordinator of Forms Processing.
• Ensure the security of all student information stored by Testing Services.
• Responsible for loading all testing data (internal and external source) into NIU student information systems.
• Develop and maintain the process for transmitting all exam data to NIU student information systems and troubleshoot any problems that arise.
• Serve as primary contact for problem resolution and coordination of activities with Registration and Records and the MyNIU team, Slate team, and Production Control.

Software Development/Maintenance

• Develop in-house software applications as necessary.
• Maintain existing in-house software applications using MS Office automation software and VB.Net.

Other Related Duties

• Assist with troubleshooting/maintenance of all computers; This may require contacting the appropriate experts outside of Testing Services.
• Maintain all scanners.
• Troubleshoot scanner hardware issues with repair technicians and, if necessary, notify inventory control and shipping when a scanner needs to be sent to the shop for repairs.
• Continually assess functions within the Testing Services database and office technology that needs to be modified or upgraded to increase functionality.
• Evaluate new technology for use in Testing Services.
• Assist the Director of Testing Services in generating reliable and accurate data from multiple sources and offices.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
  • College coursework which includes Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
    • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
    • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
    • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
    • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
  • Work experience in IT-related functions, such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field.
• Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of the systems and operations used within the areas and departments of responsibility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to oversee and coordinate activities of user groups.
• Ability to effectively communicate with other colleagues, supervisors, administrative staff, and other IT users.
• Ability to identify and resolve technical problems.
• Ability to effectively communicate and professionally interact with all staff levels.

• At least two (2) years of experience in each of the following areas (this experience could have been obtained concurrently):
  • Experience in software application development.
  • Experience utilizing VB.Net, MS Visual Studio, or other similar object oriented programming languages.
  • Experience demonstrating a solid understanding of hardware, software, and database support in a mission critical production environment.
  • Experience demonstrating strong database troubleshooting, optimization, and recovery skills.
  • Experience with writing database queries.

• A solid understanding of hardware, software and database support in a mission critical production environment.
• Strong database troubleshooting, optimization and recovery skills.
• Familiarity with technologies and data related to testing, measurement, assessment, and to operational areas such as admissions, registration, and student records.
• Interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with faculty, students, and administrators.
• The ability to facilitate teamwork among staff and to foster effective working relationships.
• The ability to communicate project status and resolutions of problems in a timely manner.
• Excellent organization, project, time, and people management skills.
• Strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong commitment to task completion supporting operational requirements and ability to work varied hours if necessary.
• Proactive learner willing to take action before asked.
• Resourceful in solving problems using available tools.
• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.
  • If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
• Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant’s/employee’s education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver’s license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.
• Applicants who may assume they do not meet the exact minimum qualifications are still invited to apply. Within the application documents, applicants should be sure to explain how their credentials and related qualifications address the requested minimum requirements.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Director of Civil Rights Office, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 2nd floor
[e-mail]
815-753-0455

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of affirmative action and equal opportunity (AAEO) at [e-mail] .