The Database Administrator (DBA) works with software and determines ways to organize and store data. Identify user requirements, set up computer databases, and test and coordinate modifications to the computer database systems Ensures the performance of the system, understands the platform on which the database runs, and adds new users to the system. Plans and coordinates security measures -data integrity, backup systems, and database security. Provides technical assistance to computer system users. Answers questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or from remote location. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word-processing, electronic mail, and operating systems. Provides technical expertise in the use of Database Management System (DBMS). Evaluates and recommends available DBMS products to support validated user requirements. Defines file organization, indexing methods, and security procedures for specific user applications. Manages the development of data base projects. Plans and budgets staff and data base resources. When necessary, reallocates resources to maximize benefits.
The database manager is also responsible for capacity planning. Provides support for implementation, troubleshooting and maintenance of IT systems. Manages IT system infrastructure and any processes related to these systems. Provides support to IT systems including: day-to-day operations, monitoring and problem resolution for all of the client problems. Provides second level problem identification, diagnosis and resolution of problems.
Provides support for the dispatch system and hardware problems and remain involved in the resolution process. Provides support for the escalation and communication of status to management and internal customers. Coordinates changes to computer databases, test and implement the database applying knowledge of database management systems. Plans, coordinates, and implements security measures to safeguard computer databases. Responsible for operations related to systems management software. Installs and maintains software monitors and conducts advanced analysis of output and performance.
Tasks:
- Perform server and storage capacity management and planning for the most complex and critical systems.
- Recommend and implement process and tool improvements to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's change management and configuration management processes and systems.
- Plan for transition of the development and/or production environment to new technology.
- Recommend and plan server recapitalization.
- Perform server performance tuning.
- Baseline and forecast server performance data and tunes server hardware and software configurations.
- Utilize system software to monitor the performance of system files; manages system data to maintain performance efficiencies.
- Study system requirements to determine proper server installation methods and procedures.
- Provide technical support in the evaluation of prime object names, data elements, and other objects.
- Evaluate proposed objects and their attributes.
- Ensure that proposed object definitions are clear, concise, technically correct, and that they represent singular concepts
- Answer users' inquiries regarding computer software and hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, and peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cable, operating systems, and appropriate software.
- Maintain record of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial action taken, and installation activities
- Read trade magazines and technical manuals, or attend conferences and seminars to maintain knowledge of hardware and software.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems and to provide technical assistance and support.
- Create and maintain monitor definitions and rules based upon requirements from Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Monitor and conduct advanced analysis of output and performance of management of systems according to prescribed standards.
- Plan and test capacity requirements.
- Ensure that services are provided with sufficient capacity to meet the business requirements.
- Prepare evaluations of software or hardware, and recommend improvements or upgrades.
- Inspect equipment and read order sheets to prepare for delivery to users.
- Modify and customize commercial programs for internal needs.
- Conduct office automation feasibility studies, including workflow analysis, space design, or cost comparison analysis.
- Manage, monitor and administer database system performance and schedule activities.
- Perform optimization and tuning of data loads and extractions
- Recommend appropriate procedure, query or package changes and optimizations to ensure and improve system performance and reliability.
- Install and configure database environments and associated storage systems.
- Perform backups/restores, and archive data.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Data Models - Experience interpreting data models and developing database structures; using standard diagramming techniques to design and develop computer data models; and implementing and troubleshooting programming changes and modifications.
- Security - Knowledge of security requirements for databases, developing, documenting, and implementing backup and recovery procedures.
- Systems Environment - Experience configuring, managing and maintaining the operation of complex relational databases; familiarity with UNIX and Windows operating systems.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Database - Supporting the TeamPlay® application with data input to very sophisticated DBA support of databases like Oracle
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Tools used in this occupation:
- Desktop computers
- Hard disk arrays - Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
- Hard disk drives - Hard disks
- Notebook computers
- Tape arrays - Tape libraries
Technology used in this occupation:
- Backup or archival software - Acronis Recovery Expert; Backup and archival software; Systems and data disaster recovery software; VERITAS NetBackup
- Data base management system software - Database management software; Microsoft SQL Server; Quest Central; Sybase Replication Server, Database models
- Development environment software - C; Microsoft Visual Basic; Prolog; Restructured extended executor REXX
- Metadata management software - AllFusion ERwin Data Modeler; Data modeling software; IBM Rational Data Architect; Visual Paradigm DB Visual ARCHITECT
- Object or component oriented development software - Microsoft Visual C# .NET; Practical extraction and reporting language Perl; Sun Microsystems Java; Sybase PowerBuilder
