Database & Data Platform Administrator

Database and Data Platform Administrator Location: Penn Center - Denver, CO 80203 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 Shift: Day Summary of Job Responsibilities This dual role is responsible for the reliability, security, and performance of on‑premises and cloud data platforms supporting Colorado PERA systems. Key responsibilities include ensuring data availability by proactively monitoring database and data platform health, enforcing database standards and governance, troubleshooting issues, and advancing database management practices and policies. The role partners across IT and business teams to analyze requirements, design and implement data solutions, and drive continuous process improvements. It supports new data platform capabilities and enhances existing environments and provides guidance and mentorship to less‑experienced database administrators, data engineers, and developers. Ideal Candidate Statement We are seeking a problem‑solver who thrives in complex environments and takes full ownership of hybrid data platforms. The ideal candidate requires deep, hands‑on expertise in on‑premises database technologies (Oracle, DB2, SQL Server) and experience managing cloud‑based platforms such as Snowflake and PostgreSQL. They have strong experience with modern data ecosystem components, including ELT pipelines, metadata management, master data management (MDM), CI/CD, and CDC practices. They emphasize operational excellence, platform modernization, and developer enablement by developing and supporting DataOps practices and delivering scalable, secure, and high‑performing database environments. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Advanced Data Platform Engineering DataOps & Automation Drives DataOps maturity through CI/CD, automation, and observability best practices Promotes DataOps practices including automated testing, version control, and deployment orchestration Implements automated promotion processes and environment synchronization, including data overlays Platform Reliability & Resilience Ensures platform reliability through proactive monitoring, incident prevention, and resilience engineering Delivers systems with built‑in fault tolerance, backup/recovery strategies, and disaster recovery capabilities Platform Optimization & Modernization Leads hybrid platform optimization and modernization initiatives Contributes to enterprise data strategy and long‑term platform evolution Data Governance & Integrity Minimizes data duplication and enforces single source of truth principles aligned with MDM strategies Oversees environment consistency and integrity across development, test, and production Systems Engineering & Project Ownership Project Ownership Owns assigned data platform projects by providing analysis, development, testing, and deployment; contributes to larger initiatives through effective collaboration with IT, AppDev and business SMEs Technical Solutioning Leverages deep understanding of business requirements to design and implement scalable, high‑performance solutions using existing and new platforms and technologies, ensuring reliability, maintainability, and alignment with strategic objectives Technical Design Leads technical approach discussions and independently develops/proposes designs for complex data projects that meet established standards Lead Implementation Translates architectural designs into complex technical builds; leads the technical delivery of major projects and peer‑reviews all designs for lean management efficiency Operational Support & Stability Troubleshooting Troubleshoots data systems issues (Tier 1/Tier 2) and resolves incidents (dependent on level: common issues / most issues / all issues without escalation) 24/7 On-Call Participates in the 24/7 data systems on‑call rotation, taking tenacious ownership of system stability and minimizing downtime. Documents new fixes discovered during the shift and conducts post‑incident review to improve the team's knowledge Operational Excellence Leads the stability of the entire data platform suite. Proactively identifies systemic risks and builds automated recovery/monitoring solutions. Works with the Enterprise Data Architect to optimize and reduce technical debt Platform Upgrades and Patching Manages data platform upgrades and patching in compliance with policy Vendor Coordination Acts as a technical liaison or SME when working with vendors to resolve licensing, platform or integration issues Governance Data Governance Defines solutions that support data quality, data lineage, data access control, certified datasets to ensure trust in data assets Security Ensures new data systems and development adhere to secure authentication and are compliant with access control policies Documentation Develops and maintains high‑quality technical requirements, solutioning, development, system support, and troubleshooting documentation Process Governance Defines technical documentation standards for data platforms. Ensures the team's technical knowledge base is accurate, searchable, and audit‑ready Knowledge & Leadership Technical Expertise Maintains an in‑depth understanding of PERA’s enterprise data systems, business needs across Lines of Business, and underlying network/database environments Mentorship Shares technical and institutional knowledge with the team, leading training and brainstorming sessions to drive continuous improvement Continuous Learning Proactively stays current on evolving data technologies and industry best practices through frequent technical learning Technical Liaison Acts as the primary bridge between the data team and organization’s technical and business teams for daily data operations. Manages data project scope and senior stakeholder expectations Job Qualifications Degree in technical (STEM) field and four years of experience in technical role preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience Extensive enterprise data application integration and management experience Advanced expertise with relational and transactional databases such as Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, Snowflake, PostgreSQL Expert level SQL data analysis and modeling experience Expert level Multi‑Tiered Oracle/SQL Server database application development experience using PL/SQL, T‑SQL Expertise with multiplatform database performance monitoring and tuning and capacity planning In‑depth understanding of database, security, server, and network environments preferred Extensive experience with change management, incident tracking and version control Experience managing both on‑premises and cloud databases including database platform migrations Proven success working with cross‑functional business and technical teams Working Conditions Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy and printer machine Occasional moving and positioning supplies in excess of 20 pounds All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time Ability to operate standard PC equipment Ability to manage frequent deadlines and tight schedules Hybrid Work Option Opportunity to work from home up to three days per week after orientation and training subject to performance and manager approval. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy. Eligibility Unfortunately, at this time, PERA cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US. #J-18808-Ljbffr Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association