Data Architect (Azure Database Architect)

Job Title: CCWIS Data Architect (Azure Database Architect)
Job ID: MNSITE-3831
Client: State of Minnesota - Minnesota Department of Information Technology Services (MNIT) & Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
Location: Remote or Hybrid at DCYF's offices

I. Project Background & Role Objective

The Minnesota Department of Information Technology Services (MNIT), in partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), is modernizing the child welfare information system environment through the implementation of a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS). To prepare for a new DDI solution, the State is consolidating data from 87 county databases into a centralized data lake.

The agency requires an Azure Database Architect to participate in the analysis, design, development, implementation, and ongoing support of Azure Databases and Data Lakes, with a primary focus on the Data Lakehouse and its integrated data reserves. The Architect will design, administer, maintain, and secure data storage solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize workflows and provide mentorship to other engineers.

II. Scope of Services & Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation to improve, modernize, and transform data-driven service delivery.
• Ensure data assets are structured, accessible, secure, and aligned with DCYF, MNIT, and Enterprise goals.
• Recommend data platforms and tools to support enterprise data architecture.
• Develop data models and ensure data access patterns are optimized.
• Support the design and development of disaster recovery (DR) solutions.
• Coordinate with relevant teams to strictly adhere to and meet security standards.
• Maintain necessary technical documentation.
• Provide active knowledge transfer and mentor other architects and database engineers.

III. Desired Qualifications & Experience

• 10 Years (Desired): Experience in data architecture or data management.
• Strong experience designing, developing, and implementing data lakes and relational/non-relational databases in Azure.
• Strong experience with Databricks and Oracle databases.
• Experience developing and implementing data transformation solutions and cloud infrastructure integrations.
• Experience coding and testing programs and scripts to load data using Azure data load utilities.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and general cloud computing concepts.
• Experience with infrastructure management tools such as Azure Monitor, Azure Data Factory, SQL Analytics, Query Performance Insight, Azure Resource Manager, Pearl, and Azure CLI/PowerShell.
• Experience developing and implementing backup and recovery strategies using tools such as Azure Backup or Geo-replication.
• Experience with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), encryption, and network security.
• Strong knowledge of data concepts, data modeling, schema design, and indexing strategies.
• Knowledge of Azure SQL instances, managed instances, and elastic pools.
• Knowledge of Data Warehouse Administration and Teradata Data Warehouse.
• Experience mentoring others in required technologies.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.