Announcement #
2026-139
Issue Date:
07-24-26
Closing Date:
08-13-26
Assistant Database Specialist
Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP)
Department of Natural Resources
Hourly Wage: $32.75/Regular/Full-Time
Location: Yakima
The Database Administrator in the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) assists in building and supporting critical salmon and steelhead data management and sharing tools for the project. This position is primarily responsible for the development, implementation, configuration, maintenance, security, and performance of critical SQL Server RDBMS systems to ensure consistent application health, performance, and dataset availability. The role involves designing, maintaining, and providing operational databases, data flow documentation, and data models focused on both adult and juvenile data, including harvest data, to support the fisheries programs within the YKFP. This includes developing a normalized framework for data storage that standardizes the format of data from various sources and units and identifying methods for users to easily extract the data. This role ensures the integrity, accuracy, and accessibility of data to support fisheries management and conservation efforts. Will work closely with research scientists, data analysts, biologists, and fisheries managers to provide critical data insights for the sustainable management of fish resources.
Examples of Work Performed:
Design effective schemas to organize data from various sources in standardized manners.
Apply normalization techniques to eliminate redundancy and maintain data integrity.
Provide expertise and training to biologists, data analysists, and technicians; e.g., on data input, report development, and database design.
Participate in group meetings to identify organizational requirements and processes.
Gain a "boots-on-the-ground" understanding of data collection and what it represents.
Configure and maintain database servers, processes, and user permissions.
Monitor system health, performance, and security.
Identify and correct issues, alongside data team, in real time; e.g. network, hardware, software, and reporting malfunctions.
Collaboratively develop and maintain complex database procedures to meet user needs.
Approve, modify, and implement database structure changes based on user requests.
Evaluate system performance, space availability, and methodology.
Ensure project output meets user requirements, timelines, and data processing standards.
Evaluate new software and hardware, provide cost control, and monitor resource usage.
Schedule maintenance and support deployment activities that are non-disruptive.
Provide technical guidance in planning the utilization and expansion of RDBMS's.
Collaborate on documentation for data input, storage, and display standards.
Develop and perform routine QA/QC procedures.
Become proficient in webhook design and maintenance related to data flow.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Familiarity with relational database management systems (RDBMS), esp. SQL Server.
Experience with backups, restores and recovery models.
Knowledge of effective RDBMS design, development, implementation, and maintenance.
Knowledge of complex data structures, logic, and normalization techniques.
Ability to review results, determine the source of problems and system failures, and recommend corrective actions.
Ability to coordinate and communicate with field technicians, programmers, analysts, and project leads regarding datasets, databases, and specifications.
Ability to take direction.
Ability to work on a team and to work independently.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Attention to detail, ability to determine best QA/QC procedures for incoming data.
Organized, able to prioritize and keep track of multiple projects.
Persistent in the use of interpersonal/technical skills to secure needed information for a project.
Ability to define long-term goals, outline a plan to get there, and follow plan during urgent, daily tasks.
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
Required to pass a pre-employment drug test
Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Tribal Driver Permit with Defensive Driving Course certificate (to be updated every 2 years).
Preferred Requirements:
Experience in database development, administration, and analysis, particularly with Microsoft SQL Server, would be ideal, but is not required if the candidate meets the minimum qualifications and demonstrates a willingness to learn.
Knowledge of spatial database system and design.
Experience with Survey123 and other ESRI products.
Python experience is a plus.
Knowledge of API webhooks.
Familiarity with AWS.
Knowledge of salmonid life cycles, fisheries, and harvest management
Familiarity with the Yakima basin.
Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
