Senior Database Administrator

Maricopa; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid work schedule

On-site childcare: Kids Club

Paid vacation, sick time, parental/le"

Job summary

Maricopa County Recorder’s Office is seeking a Database Administrator Lead to oversee SQL Server databases, ensuring high availability, data integrity, and peak performance. You will direct backup/recovery strategies, optimize complex queries, and provide technical leadership to developers in a hybrid work environment.

The role emphasizes strong security controls, coordination with elections-related data, and continuous improvement of data systems, with on-site requirements and rotation during

Qualifications

• Four years of experience as a Database Administrator or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; substitutions considered.
• Experience with SQL Server, performance tuning, and data security practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversees installation, configuration, health, and maintenance of SQL Server environments.
• Collaborates with developers to optimize T-SQL queries and schemas.
• Manages failover clusters and DR/HA strategies; conducts backups and recovery testing.
• Ensures database security policies, access controls, and encryption practices.
• Maintains documentation for topology, runbooks, and DR plans.

Skills

SQL Server

Query optimization

Database Administration

Backup/Recovery

HA/DR

Security

DevOps tooling

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT or related field

Tools

Redgate SQL Source Control

SQL Clone

Always On Availability Groups

Job description

Posting Date 08/19/26 Application Deadline 08/26/26 Pay Range Anticipated Hiring Range: $95,000 - $100,500 annually Full Pay Range: $95,000 - $165,00 annually Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation. Job Type Unclassified Department Recorder

About the Position

The Database Administrator Lead oversees the design, optimization, and security of all SQL Server databases supporting the County Recorder’s Office. Responsibilities include managing database availability, directing data backup and recovery strategies, and providing technical leadership and query optimization support to application developers. This role ensures our core data systems operate at peak performance while maintaining strict security standards for critical public records and operational data.

About Us

The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office (MCRO) is responsible for maintaining the Maricopa County voter registration records and for administering over elections in partnership with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The MCRO also maintains the permanent public record of over 50 million documents dating back to 1871, including deeds, plat maps, and a variety of other important documents. Our office serves over 2.5 million registered voters as well as 4.4 million residents across Maricopa County. The MCRO offers a friendly, welcoming, and collaborative environment with opportunities to grow and develop new skills.

Benefits

• Proud To Offer Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring an 11.98% contribution rate per paycheck that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more!

Requirements

We Require Four (4) years of experience as a Database Administrator Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related field Other combinations of education and experience may be considered in substitution for the minimum qualifications

Other Requirements

• Must successfully complete the next scheduled Secretary of State Election Officer Certification
• Must be eligible to vote in Arizona
• Must pass applicable background screening

We Also Value

• Six (6) years of experience administering, monitoring, and optimizing relational databases, including writing SQL queries and stored procedures, with a preference for Microsoft SQL
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Experience with Redgate SQL Source Control, SQL Clone, and related database DevOps tools
• Working knowledge of SQL Server High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) technologies, including Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, Log Shipping, Database Mirroring, and Backup/Restore strategies
• Understanding of the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including requirements analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, change management, and ongoing support

Job Contributions

• Oversees the installation, configuration, health, and daily maintenance of enterprise Microsoft SQL Server database environments to ensure high availability, data integrity, and peak performance
• Collaborates closely with application developers to review, design, and optimize complex T-SQL queries, stored procedures, indexes, and database schemas for maximum execution speed and efficiency
• Manages, tests, and maintains database failover clusters, Always on Availability Groups, backup strategies, and disaster recovery procedures to minimize downtime and ensure continuous operational resiliency
• Utilizes performance monitoring tools to proactively identify bottlenecks, optimize resource utilization (CPU, memory, I/O), resolve deadlocks, and fine‑tune database configurations
• Enforces database security policies, access controls, role‑based permissions, and data encryption practices to safeguard sensitive public records and maintain statutory compliance
• Manages database deployments, schema changes, and version control workflows across development, staging, and production environments, leveraging tools such as Redgate SQL Source Control and SQL Clone
• Monitors data growth trends, performs capacity planning, and manages storage allocation to accommodate long‑term operational needs
• Maintains comprehensive documentation for database topology, backup/recovery runbooks, maintenance schedules, and disaster recovery plans
• Acts as the primary escalation point for database outages, performance degradation, and data restoration requests, diagnosing root causes and implementing long‑term preventative fixes.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Working Conditions

Most work is performed in both office and remote work environments. Employees may be eligible for hybrid work arrangements in accordance with Office policies and operational requirements. Regular on‑site attendance is required to support business operations, meetings and critical functions. Extensive mandatory overtime is required during the Primary/General election cycle. The job requires participation in a 24/7 on‑call rotation that requires addressing critical issues at various locations throughout Maricopa County. Work is primarily high volume in a fast‑paced environment. It requires prolonged sitting while performing computer tasks.

Selection Procedure

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications. Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile. Must pass a pre‑employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety‑sensitive.

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.

About Maricopa County

We are Maricopa County. Forbes has rated Maricopa County one of Arizona’s Best Employers in 2024. We are over 13,000 employees strong, providing vital services for one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, with over four million residents who call Maricopa County home. Join us and you will become part of a dynamic group of diverse and talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference and giving back to their communities. We offer career paths and opportunities in just about every job category and job level imaginable, so your journey with us is what you make of it! Along with offering purposeful careers, you can expect a rich selection of economical and comprehensive healthcare options, robust retirement plans, tuition and loan payment programs, and multiple paid leave options, as part of an overall generous compensation and benefits package.