Principal Database Administrator

City of Aurora; Aurora (CO); Remote; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

On-site fitness center

Well-funded retirement plan

Career advancement programs

Local transit access and innovation É

Education and training opportunities

Job summary

City of Aurora seeks an experienced Database Administrator to maintain and optimize Microsoft SQL Server environments in a remote-capable role based in Colorado. The candidate will manage upgrades, backups, security, and BI integrations, collaborating with IT teams and end users to ensure high availability and performance.

Qualifications include a BA/BS in CS or related field, 5+ years with SQL Server, and strong T‑SQL and ETL/SSIS skills.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provide primary support for maintenance, installation, and configuration of Microsoft SQL Server and related services.
• Develop reports and support reporting databases; create packages, triggers, and procedures to improve performance.
• Establish DEV/TRAIN/PROD environments and coordinate with other IT divisions and City staff.
• Lead upgrades and migrations of SQL Server instances and manage production SQL Server environments (Always On, mirroring, replication).
• Support SQL Server Reporting Services, Integration Services, and SQL Agent Jobs; ensure backups meet RPO objectives.
• Assist with BI initiatives, data lakes, and data warehouses as resources permit.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

Windows Server

T-SQL development

SQL performance tuning

SSIS/ETL

SSRS reporting

Azure SQL

Database security

Disaster recovery

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

SQL Server 2016–2022

Always On Availability Groups

Job description

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 experience

The 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.

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 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.

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.

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.
• 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.

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.

Veterans preference

Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

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.

Notice Regarding Automated Processing and Fraud Prevention

As part of our recruiting and application security processes, we may use automated tools and technologies to help detect fraudulent activity, protect applicant accounts, and support the administration of employment applications. These tools may collect and process information associated with your application activity, including: Number of job requisitions applied to External application session duration Geolocation country code IP address Device/browser fingerprinting information (including JA4 fingerprint data) This information may be used by Workday’s Fraudulent Job Application Prevention capabilities to generate an application risk or fraud assessment score. These tools are designed to support application security, fraud prevention, and recruiting operations and may be considered during the processing or review of applications. Meaningful human review remains part of our hiring and recruiting process. For additional information regarding our processing of applicant information, please review our Privacy Notice or contact [e-mail].

Additional Requirements

Please show all your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. Leaving blanks or omitting previous employment may result in your disqualification from employment. City policy requires that selected candidates provide documentation in the form of official transcripts of the highest level of education attained by the candidate that is listed on their application materials. Applicants who hold a Commercial Driver’s License will also be required to undergo alcohol testing using an Evidential Breath Testing Device.

The city of Aurora uses E-Verify to determine if employees are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Know your rights! The city of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. No applicant for employment or employee shall be discriminated against because of age, race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability or military status. The city shall develop and maintain a plan for diversity. Through its staff, the city shall periodically analyze its employment related practices and its plan for diversity to ensure compliance with this policy.

Contact Information

If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation for completing this application, please feel free to contact our office at: 303.739.7225 or visit us at 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Suite 3500, Aurora, CO 80012.