Database Administration - DB2

Gijima Holdings: HR; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Gijima Holdings: HR is seeking a Senior Database Administrator to manage and optimize large‑scale data environments. Responsibilities include backup/recovery, performance tuning, clustering, replication, and monitoring, with after‑hours availability.

Requirements include a Diploma or Bachelor’s in Computer Science or related field, 6+ years with IBM DB2/Oracle, Linux, and proficiency in languages like Python or Java; willingness to travel nationally and work outside standard hours.

Qualifications

• Diploma/Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Management, Electrical/Electronics related discipline.
• 6+ years of experience developing data management systems, tools and architectures using IBM DB2, Oracle, and related technologies.
• Experience with large Data Warehouses and web-facing OLTP databases.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, Ruby or Java.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all database servers are backed up meeting RPO objectives.
• Test backups to meet RTO objectives.
• Troubleshoot database server outages, including after-hours.
• Configure database monitoring utilities to minimize false alarms.
• Deploy database change scripts from vendors.
• Performance tuning including hardware/config changes or index queries.
• Document the database environment and data models with application teams.
• Travel nationally and work after hours as required.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Teamwork

After-hours availability

Education

Diploma/Bachelor’s in Computer Science or related

Tools

IBM DB2

Oracle

Linux

Redis

MongoDB

CouchDB

Cassandra

Informatica/ETL tools

Job description

The Specialist: Database Administration will be required to perform the following duties, amongst others:

Key areas of responsibility:

• Ensure all database servers are backed up in a way that meets the business’s Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)
• Test backups to ensure we can meet the business’ Recovery Time Objectives (RTO)
• Troubleshoot Database Server service outages as they occur, including after-hours and weekends
• Configure Database Server monitoring utilities to minimize false alarms
• As new systems are brought in-house, choose whether to use clustering, log shipping, mirroring, or other technologies
• Install and configure new Database Servers
• Deploy database change scripts provided by third party vendors
• When performance issues arise, determine the most effective way to increase Performance including hardware purchases, server configuration changes, or index/query changes
• Document the Department’s database environment
• Tuning platform queries to improve performance
• Troubleshooting hardware using tools like Dell Open Manage, HP System Insight Manager, and IBM Director
• Failover clustering, SAN replication, and other high availability technologies
• Managing IBM Server components such as Analysis Services, Integration Services, or Reporting Services
• Root cause analysis of production-related database issues
• Daily maintenance, monitoring, problem resolution and internal customer/development support
• Review, design and develop data models in conjunction with the application development teams
• The role will be required to travel extensively nationally and work after hours as and when required

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and experience required:

• Diploma / Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Management, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited tertiary institution is
• Certification on at least one enterprise grade database product such, IBM, Oracle, Server, DB2, Redis, MongoDB, CouchDB, Cassandra, and Ingres.
• 6+ years of experience developing data management systems, tools and architectures using IBM
• Server, DB2, and Oracle databases, Redshift and/or other distributed computing systems.
• Familiarity with new advances in the big data space such as Hadoop/ EMR and other technologies like Dynamo DB, MongoDB, CouchDB, Redis, HBASE, and Cassandra.
• Experience designing and operating very large Data Warehouses and web facing online transaction processing databases.
• Demonstrable proficiency and experience in IBM Server, DB2, Oracle, Linux, and programming languages such as R, Python, Ruby or Java.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated experience with database technologies and API interfaces to WebApps and Administration in one or more of the following – IBM, Oracle (minimum of 5 years)
• A results oriented individual who thrives working in a fast paced environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills with effective results focus within an information systems environment.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to be flexible and work hard, both independently and in a team environment, in a high priority customer service, on-call environment with changing priorities.
• Willingness to work occasionally outside of normal business hours in response to needs of the systems being supported.