SQL Database Administrator

Ventures Unlimited, Inc.; Columbus (OH); Remote; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

Ventures Unlimited, Inc. is seeking an experienced SQL Server DBA to install, configure, monitor, and optimize SQL Server across on-prem and Azure environments. You will design DR/HA strategies, implement security controls, and collaborate with developers on schema and data exchange standards.

The role requires 5+ years in enterprise SQL Server, strong T-SQL, SSMS, and ETL experience, with initial remote work and a potential move to Columbus, OH. Teams leverage Microsoft Teams for interviews.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience managing enterprise-level Microsoft SQL Server environments in on-prem and Azure.
• 5+ years of Performance Monitoring & Tuning experience.
• 5+ years of database Security & Compliance experience, including RBAC.
• 5+ years of Developer Support & Code Review experience.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, patch, upgrade, and administer Microsoft SQL Server instances across production, staging, and development environments.
• Manage database servers, storage, system databases, data files, and overall database infrastructure.
• Monitor database health, resource utilization, availability, and performance.
• Perform advanced SQL Server performance tuning, including query optimization, indexing, statistics, blocking, and deadlock resolution.
• Design, implement, test, and maintain Backup and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) strategies.
• Configure and support Always On Availability Groups, Log Shipping, Failover Cluster Instances, and database replication.
• Develop and maintain database architecture standards for both Azure and on-premises DBMS environments.
• Administer Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.
• Configure Azure database backup, monitoring, security, migration, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Use Azure Monitor and Log Analytics to monitor database performance and availability.
• Use Azure Key Vault to securely manage passwords, secrets, and other sensitive information.
• Implement database security using RBAC, database roles, permissions, authentication, and encryption at rest/in transit.
• Collaborate with application developers on database architecture, schema design, table structures, data types, and data exchange standards.
• Conduct code reviews and provide guidance on stored procedures, triggers, functions, and complex T-SQL queries.
• Develop automation scripts using T-SQL, PowerShell, and command-line tools for maintenance, backups, monitoring, reporting, integrity checks, statistics updates, and index maintenance.
• Support SSIS packages and ETL workflows.
• Perform database migrations and integrations between on-premises SQL Server and Azure environments.
• Develop comprehensive technical documentation covering installation, configuration, monitoring, security, migration, backup/recovery, and development standards.
• Work closely with IT Architecture, CIO, IT Managers, development teams, and other stakeholders to develop solutions aligned with agency requirements.
• Provide Tier III technical support and troubleshooting for complex database issues.
• Contribute to solution design and business-case development for database initiatives.
• Develop database strategies aligned with organizational and business requirements.
• Mentor junior DBAs and other technical staff through knowledge transfer, documentation, and technical guidance.
• Participate in Disaster Recovery/Business Resumption or Incident Response activities when required.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

Performance tuning

RBAC

Developer support & code review

SSMS

T-SQL

ETL workflows

PowerShell

Azure SQL Database

Azure SQL Managed Instance

SQL Server on Azure VM

Security & Compliance

Disaster Recovery planning

Documentation

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Tools

SSIS

Azure Monitor

Log Analytics

Redgate tools

Job description

Location: Columbus, OH – Initially Remote; may eventually require onsite work

Interview: Microsoft Teams

Employment Type: W2-Contract

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, patch, upgrade, and administer Microsoft SQL Server instances across production, staging, and development environments.
• Manage database servers, storage, system databases, data files, and overall database infrastructure.
• Monitor database health, resource utilization, availability, and performance.
• Perform advanced SQL Server performance tuning, including query optimization, indexing, statistics, blocking, and deadlock resolution.
• Design, implement, test, and maintain Backup and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) strategies.
• Configure and support Always On Availability Groups, Log Shipping, Failover Cluster Instances, and database replication.
• Develop and maintain database architecture standards for both Azure and on-premises DBMS environments.
• Administer Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.
• Configure Azure database backup, monitoring, security, migration, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Use Azure Monitor and Log Analytics to monitor database performance and availability.
• Use Azure Key Vault to securely manage passwords, secrets, and other sensitive information.
• Implement database security using RBAC, database roles, permissions, authentication, and encryption at rest/in transit.
• Collaborate with application developers on database architecture, schema design, table structures, data types, and data exchange standards.
• Conduct code reviews and provide guidance on stored procedures, triggers, functions, and complex T-SQL queries.
• Develop automation scripts using T-SQL, PowerShell, and command-line tools for maintenance, backups, monitoring, reporting, integrity checks, statistics updates, and index maintenance.
• Support SSIS packages and ETL workflows.
• Perform database migrations and integrations between on-premises SQL Server and Azure environments.
• Develop comprehensive technical documentation covering installation, configuration, monitoring, security, migration, backup/recovery, and development standards.
• Work closely with IT Architecture, CIO, IT Managers, development teams, and other stakeholders to develop solutions aligned with agency requirements.
• Provide Tier III technical support and troubleshooting for complex database issues.
• Contribute to solution design and business-case development for database initiatives.
• Develop database strategies aligned with organizational and business requirements.
• Mentor junior DBAs and other technical staff through knowledge transfer, documentation, and technical guidance.
• Participate in Disaster Recovery/Business Resumption or Incident Response activities when required.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of dedicated hands-on experience managing enterprise-level Microsoft SQL Server environments, including both on-premises and Azure-based platforms.
• 5+ years of Performance Monitoring & Tuning experience.
• 5+ years of database Security & Compliance experience, including Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
• 5+ years of Developer Support & Code Review experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with enterprise SQL Server administration.
• Strong knowledge of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and SQL Server internals.
• Advanced proficiency in Transact-SQL (T-SQL).
• Experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and ETL workflows.
• Experience supporting:
• Experience with Azure database migration and integration.
• Knowledge of:
• Strong understanding of Azure database security, networking, scalability, cost optimization, and HA/DR.
• Experience with database backup, recovery, replication, and disaster recovery technologies.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred / Desired

• Experience with Redgate or similar third-party database monitoring and backup tools.
• Experience with enterprise-scale database migrations to Azure.
• Experience working with government or highly regulated environments.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related technical field preferred/required.
• Equivalent professional experience may be considered where applicable.

Work Arrangement

• Initially remote.
• The position may eventually transition to an in-office/hybrid arrangement in Columbus, Ohio.
• Interview will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.