Database administrator

Database Administrator (DBA) - Onsite | DHHS

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking an experienced Database Administrator (DBA) to manage, maintain, and optimize enterprise database environments supporting critical business and public service applications. This role is responsible for ensuring the availability, security, integrity, and performance of databases across production, testing, and development environments. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise in database administration, performance tuning, security, backup and recovery, and database lifecycle management.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain database servers, database software, and supporting tools.
• Design, implement, and maintain database environments to meet business, performance, and scalability requirements.
• Manage database storage structures, capacity planning, and ongoing performance optimization.
• Monitor database health and performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions.
• Optimize SQL code, indexing strategies, and database configurations to improve efficiency and system responsiveness.
• Perform database maintenance activities, including patching, troubleshooting, debugging, and system upgrades.
• Design and implement robust backup, restoration, and disaster recovery solutions to ensure data availability and business continuity.
• Develop and maintain database security controls, authentication mechanisms, auditing processes, and access management procedures.
• Administer user accounts, roles, permissions, and privileges while ensuring compliance with organizational security standards.
• Support database development efforts by assisting with schema design, stored procedures, triggers, and database testing.
• Collaborate closely with application developers, architects, and business stakeholders to ensure optimal database utilization and performance.
• Monitor key performance indicators, including transaction throughput, response times, concurrency levels, and resource utilization.
• Implement proactive monitoring, alerting, and reporting solutions to identify and resolve issues before they impact operations.
• Perform routine database housekeeping activities, including index maintenance, data archiving, and data cleanup.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience administering enterprise database platforms such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL .
• Strong proficiency in SQL, database architecture, data modeling, backup and recovery strategies, and database security best practices.
• Experience with database performance tuning, query optimization, indexing, and capacity planning.
• Experience administering cloud-based database solutions, including Azure SQL Database, Azure Managed Instance, AWS RDS, or Google Cloud SQL .
• Knowledge of high-availability and disaster recovery technologies.
• Familiarity with database automation, scripting, and integration with applications and APIs.
• Experience implementing database security controls, auditing, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high service levels.
• Experience supporting data-sensitive environments within healthcare, government, financial services, or other highly regulated industries is highly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with database monitoring and administration tools.
• Knowledge of ETL processes, data warehousing, and business intelligence platforms.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure-as-Code concepts.
• Experience supporting hybrid cloud and enterprise-scale database environments.
• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate , Oracle Database Administrator , or equivalent credentials.

Position Overview

This position offers the opportunity to support mission-critical systems and data assets that directly enable DHHS programs and services. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining secure, reliable, and high-performing database environments while partnering with technical and business teams to support the organization's strategic initiatives.