Principal Database Administrator

Auroragovblog; Aurora (CO); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Aurora seeks a Principal Database Administrator to lead the maintenance, installation, and configuration of Microsoft SQL Server environments, including Always On, replication, and performance tuning.

You will oversee production SSIS/SSRS, backup strategies, DR planning, and BI initiatives while collaborating with IT teams and City staff; applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree and 5 years DBA experience in SQL Server, with Windows Server administration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as Database Administrator for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or higher.
• 2 years of Windows Server administration, including web app deployment in a SQL Server environment.

Responsibilities

• Primary support for all SQL Server instances, including upgrades and migrations.
• Administers production SQL Server Reporting Services, Integration Services, and SQL Agent Jobs.
• Configure and manage production SQL Server with Always On, mirroring, replication for high availability.
• Ensure backups and DR readiness meet RPO objectives; perform maintenance and tuning.
• Assist with BI initiatives, data lakes/warehouses as resources permit.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

Always On Availability Groups

T-SQL development

PowerShell

Query performance tuning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Azure SQL

SSIS/SSRS

Windows Server

Job description

## Principal Database AdministratorApply: Aurora Municipal Center: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 15, 2026 (14 days left to apply): JR109360**JOB LOCATION**15151 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555**City of Aurora, Colorado**It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: **Integrity**, **Respect, Professionalism**, and **Customer Service**, and we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora?* Make a difference in the lives of real people every day* Diverse community* Competitive total compensation package* Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan* Light rail station minutes away* On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement* Access to innovation workspaces**PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**Salary to be commensurate with experienceThe hiring range for this position is $104,376 - $130,471/annually *The deadline to submit applications is October 15, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.* OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT Provides primary support in the maintenance, installation, configuration of Microsoft SQL Server and other relational, line of business database services. Reporting development/support, reporting databases, developing packages and triggers along with procedures to improve application performance. Establishes and maintains DEV/TRAIN/PROD instances. Interacts with other IT Divisions and City employees. PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES * Primary support for all lines of business Microsoft SQL Server instances, including all upgrades and migrations to new versions when necessary. Provides support as required for other databases.* Administers production SQL Server Reporting Services, Integration Services, and SQL Agent Jobs.* Responsible for the configuration and management of production SQL Server (Always on Availability groups/Mirroring/Replication), ensuring a highly available SQL Server production environment.* Assist with the deployment of SQL products and services in development and COTS application deployment as required.* Ensure all database servers are backed up and tested to meet the business’s Recovery Point Objectives (RPO).* Performs database services such as job processing, tuning, archiving, and installing upgrades to test and production database environments.* Co-Lead the future implementation of Business Intelligence, Data Lakes, Data Warehouses, Business Analytics, as resources and funds allow.* Responsible to ensure that the SQL Server environment meets established security requirements.* This position may serve as the lead on specific projects or initiatives.* Performs additional duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. **MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS**An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Education: * Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.Experience: * 5 years of experience as Database Administrator of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or higher.* 2 years of Windows Server administration, including experience in Web application implementation in a Microsoft SQL Server environment. Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge: * Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server (2016–2022), including relational engine internals, Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, replication, log shipping, Query Store, DMVs, and Extended Events.* In‐depth understanding of T‐SQL development, stored procedures, views, functions, triggers, schema design principles, and performance‐driven data modeling.* Knowledge of SSIS‐based ETL/ELT development, SSRS reporting datasets, and integrations with enterprise BI platforms.* Strong knowledge of PowerShell automation, scripted maintenance, CI/CD database deployment practices, and configuration management.* Thorough knowledge of backup/restore strategies, disaster recovery architectures, RPO/RTO planning, and continuity of operations (COOP) requirements.* Detailed knowledge of Azure SQL (Single DB, Managed Instance), hybrid cloud deployments, and Azure Government environments.* Strong knowledge of database security concepts, including encryption (TDE), access control, dynamic data masking, RLS, key management, and secure credential handling.* Working knowledge of applicable government security frameworks such as NIST SP 800‐53/800‐171, CIS Benchmarks, CJIS, HIPAA, and agency‐specific audit requirements.* Knowledge of DISA STIGs and government database hardening practices for SQL Server and Windows Server hosts.* Familiarity with public‐sector records management (FOIA/CORA), data retention schedules, audit trails, and eDiscovery workflows.Skills: * Expert-level proficiency with Microsoft SQL Server (2016–2022), including Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, replication, log shipping, Query Store, DMVs, and Extended Events.* Advanced T‐SQL development, including stored procedures, views, functions, triggers, and performance‐optimized schema design.* Strong capability in performance tuning using execution plans, indexing strategies, memory/IO optimization, and system‐level diagnostics.* Deep knowledge of SSIS ETL/ELT development, SSRS dataset preparation, and support for BI/reporting platforms.* Automation expertise with PowerShell (SQL modules, DSC, scheduled tasks) and scripting for patch workflows, maintenance routines, and CI/CD database deployments.* Robust backup and recovery planning, including point‐in‐time recovery, encryption, and RPO/RTO‐driven strategy design.* Proficiency with Azure SQL (Single DB/MI), hybrid cloud deployments, and Azure Government environments.* Strong familiarity with database security controls such as TDE, Row-Level Security, Dynamic Data Masking, certificate management, and secure key storage.* Experience with enterprise monitoring tools (native and third‐party), alerting frameworks, and capacity forecasting. Abilities: * Ability to design, implement, and oversee highly available, secure, mission‐critical SQL Server environments across government systems.* Ability to diagnose and resolve complex production issues, lead war rooms, and drive permanent corrective actions.* Ability to develop automated, repeatable, and compliant maintenance and deployment processes.* Ability to translate regulatory and policy requirements into actionable technical controls, procedures, and measurable compliance indicators.* Ability to enforce governance over data access, retention, encryption, and monitoring in alignment with government audit requirements.* Ability to communicate clearly with executives, technical teams, and external auditors, providing accurate summaries and documentation. Licenses and Certifications Required: * Valid Colorado Driver's License.* MS SQL Server certification is strongly preferred.* ITIL Foundation qualification.WORKING CONDITIONS Essential Personnel: * When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.Physical Demands: * Light physical work requiring ability to life a maximum of 50 pounds, including lifting 25 pounds overhead.* Regular lifting and carrying of computer equipment.* Moderate walking and standing.* Vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents.* Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard.* Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with managers, employee users and citizens. Work Environment: * This is a remote position, but the employee must reside in the State of Colorado.* System support issues may require working outside the office environment and in or around emergency response vehicles. Equipment Used: * Standard business and professional tools and equipment including computers, laptop computers and mobile computing devices. The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.**For Veterans preference:** Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. **Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.****Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:** As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.