Summary of Job Responsibilities
This position is dual role 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 position partners across IT and business teams to analyze requirements, design and implement data solutions, and drive continuous process improvements. It supports both the delivery of new data platform capabilities and the enhancement and maintenance of existing environments. Additionally, this role contributes to strategic planning alignment and provides guidance and mentorship to less-experienced database administrators, data engineers, and developers.
Ideal Candidate Statement
We are seeking a tenacious problem-solver who thrives in complex environments and takes full ownership of hybrid data platforms. This role requires deep, hands-on expertise in on-premises database technologies (Oracle, DB2, SQL Server) along with experience managing cloud-based platforms such as Snowflake and PostgreSQL. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with modern data ecosystem components, including ELT pipelines, metadata management, master data management (MDM), CI/CD, and CDC practices. This individual will emphasize operational excellence, platform modernization, and developer enablement by developing and supporting DataOps practices and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performing database environments across development, test, and production.
Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
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
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
Lead Implementation
Operational Support & Stability
Manages data platform upgrades and patching in compliance with policy.
Data Governance
Defines solutions that support data quality, data linage, data access control, certified datasets to ensure trust in data assets.
Security
Documentation:
Develops and maintains high-quality technical requirements, solutioning, development, system support, and troubleshooting documentation.
Process Governance:
Technical Expertise
Mentorship:
Continuous Learning:
Technical Liaison:
Performs other duties as assigned
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
Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a 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
Interested Candidates:
Complete the employment application online at https://www.copera.org/careers. Please have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. Please review the following questions. You will be asked for a response to these questions as part of your application:
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How do you ensure a deployment did not have unexpected impacts?
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Provide an example of how you supported a developer team using DataOps automation principles.
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What is your favorite database platform and why?
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Tell us about a time you had to solve a complex problem creatively that you’re most proud of.
Job Description Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned with or without notice.
Unfortunately, at this time, PERA cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US.
All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA’s Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from PERA’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA’s Investment Administration team.
Why Work at PERA
Colorado PERA offers more than a traditional pension career. We are a mission-driven organization with a growing focus on technology and modernization. Employees have the opportunity to do meaningful work with a real impact on over 700,000 members. From enhancing digital tools and member experiences to supporting major enterprise initiatives, employees are part of meaningful, future-focused work that blends public service with innovation. We take pride in our inclusive culture, career development opportunities, and our consistent recognition as a Top Workplace based on employee feedback. PERA is a place to connect, contribute, and be part of something bigger.
A Culture That Cares
At PERA, leveraging employee strengths and supporting strong engagement are the foundations of our culture. Employees are encouraged to grow through development opportunities and internal career movement, while also being part of an organization where people feel respected, informed, and included. Collaboration is encouraged across teams, allowing employees to learn from one another and contribute in ways that maximize their unique skills. We strive to foster an environment where employees can do their best work and feel supported by the people around them
An Employer that Invests in You
PERA invests in our employees in ways that matter; from comprehensive benefits and generous paid time-off to thoughtful everyday amenities that enhance the office experience. Employees are encouraged to continue learning through training, mentoring, and development at every stage of their careers. We champion a workplace where people feel valued, inspired, and equipped to grow.
Join Us
If you’re energized by meaningful work, motivated by an organization that evolves with a changing world and looking for an employer that invests in you, then consider joining PERA’s team. Learn more about careers at PERA at copera.org/careers.
Position Title: Database and Data Platform Administrator
Division: Information Technology
Reports to: Investments Technical Services Manager
Job Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $105,000.00 to $125,000.00 Annual, Commensurate with experience
Posting Dates: 07/02/2026 to 07/26/2026