Senior Database Specialist

Serco; Herndon (VA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco Inc. seeks a Senior Database Specialist to support a DoD program at the Pentagon, working with the PPB BOS team. The role requires Oracle RDBMS expertise, extensive SQL/PLSQL skills, and strong collaboration with cyber, infrastructure, and government partners.

The position is located in Arlington, VA, with a hybrid schedule (60% onsite, 40% remote). A DoD security clearance is required, with travel about 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 10 years of experience in database development, administration, or related database engineering roles.
• Active or interim Secret clearance.
• Meet DoD 8140 foundational compliance via degree or certification.
• Experience with Oracle RDBMS in enterprise environments.
• Experience with SQL and PL/SQL including tables, views, procedures, functions, packages, triggers.
• Knowledge of database design, data modeling, query optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Experience handling database administration activities: installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, monitoring, backup/recovery.
• Experience managing database users, privileges, auditing, and security functions.
• Experience supporting large-scale relational databases and secure data solutions.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Ability to travel ~10%.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, install, configure, secure, operate, and improve enterprise database environments.
• Develop and maintain database objects and code for enterprise applications.
• Support database reliability and availability through monitoring and maintenance.
• Optimize database performance and resolve issues.
• Implement secure, scalable, and maintainable database solutions.
• Collaborate with developers, infrastructure, cybersecurity, leadership, and government stakeholders.
• Prioritize work, manage tasks, and communicate findings, risks, and recommendations.

Skills

Oracle RDBMS

SQL/PLSQL

Database design & modeling

Performance tuning

Security & compliance (RMF/STIGs)

Cloud services basics (AWS)

Scripting (bash/python)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / IT or related field

Tools

Git

Jira

AWS Console / AWS tooling

Job description

Position Description & Qualifications

We are seeking a Senior Database Specialist to support a DoD program through a combination of database development, administration, and technical support. This position will work directly with our Army Planning Programming Budgeting Business Operating System (PPB BOS) team. The ideal candidate brings experience with Oracle databases and a broad understanding of relational database technologies, database programming, performance optimization, and cloud-based services. Success in this role requires strong technical, organizational, and communication skills in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.

This position is located at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, with a hybrid schedule of 60% onsite and 40% remote.

In this role, you will:

• Design, develop, install, configure, secure, operate, and continuously improve enterprise database environments.

• Develop and maintain database objects and code to support enterprise applications.

• Support database reliability and availability through monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

• Optimize database performance and resolve database and application-related issues.

• Implement secure, scalable, and maintainable database solutions.

• Collaborate with developers, infrastructure and cybersecurity teams, program leadership, and government stakeholders to support application delivery and ongoing operations.

• Prioritize work, manage assigned tasks, and communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations effectively.

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

• 10 years of experience in database development, administration, or related database engineering roles, including hands-on experience in both development and administration.

• An interim or active Secret security clearance.

• Ability to meet DoD 8140 foundational compliance requirements through a qualifying degree or certification.

• Experience developing, administering, and supporting Oracle relational database management systems (RDBMS) in enterprise environments.

• Experience with SQL and PL/SQL, including developing and maintaining database objects such as tables, views, stored procedures, functions, packages, and triggers.

• Knowledge of database design, data modeling, query optimization, and performance troubleshooting.

• Previous experience supporting database administration activities, including installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, monitoring, maintenance, backup and recovery, and troubleshooting.

• Experience managing database users, privileges, access controls, auditing, and other database security functions.

• Previous experience supporting large-scale relational databases and developing secure, scalable data solutions using established database and data engineering practices.

• Ability to collaborate across technical teams and clearly communicate solutions, findings, risks, and recommendations to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

• Ability to travel 10% as needed.

Additional desired qualifications:

• Experience supporting financial, budgeting, logistics, or other enterprise business systems.

• Experience with cloud-hosted databases and related compute, storage, security, monitoring, and backup services, particularly AWS services such as RDS, EC2, S3, IAM, CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and AWS DMS.

• Knowledge of additional relational database platforms, such as PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server.

• Previous experience with data integration, migration, synchronization, or extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes.

• Experience automating database development or administration tasks through scripting or other tools.

• Experience supporting DoD cybersecurity requirements, Risk Management Framework (RMF) processes, Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), and security controls.

• Experience using version control and work tracking tools, such as Git and Jira.

• Relevant Oracle, AWS, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, or other database and cloud certifications.

Company Overview

Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco's 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.

To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer . If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: [e-mail] or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.

Candidates may be asked to present proof of identity during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government-issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.

Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email [e-mail] .

Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Pay Transparency

Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance-based incentives, and benefits that promote well-being and work-life balance- so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time-off programs that support work-life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities.Benefits – Comprehensible benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract

• 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds

• Tuition reimbursement program

• Life insurance and disability coverage

• Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection

• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits

• Employee Assistance Plan

To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us .

Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations. Please submit applications exclusively through Serco's external (or internal) career site. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: [e-mail] .