Database Operations Support DBA- Junior position -Remote

Job description:

Pay: $78,903.78 - $90,023.91 per year-estimated

Please note: Salary range are estimates and have yet to be approved by the GPO client

U.S. Citizenship required (Legislative Branch agency)

Public Trust Required

Please read the job description before applying

GSSI Solutions is seeking an experienced Database Operations Support DBA to join our team supporting our client the Government Publishing Office (GPO) . Work will be performed remotely per the GPO’s IT Security policy and regulations.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Database Operations Support DBA provides operational support for day-to-day database administration activities under the direct supervision and technical guidance of senior and mid-level DBAs assigned to the GPO contract. This entry-level to associate-level position is responsible for database monitoring, routine maintenance task execution, documentation maintenance, incident triage, reporting, and entry-level database operational support activities across both Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database environments. All work is performed in strict accordance with established GPO and contractor standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ITSM processes. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for growth within the federal IT contracting environment and provides structured mentorship from senior DBA professionals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

●    Install, configure, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server instances (versions 2016 through 2022) in both on-premises data center and Azure Government cloud environments in accordance with GPO configuration baselines.

●    Perform routine and scheduled database administration tasks including full, differential, and transaction log backups; index maintenance and rebuilds; statistics updates; database integrity checks (DBCC); and log file management.

●    Monitor database health, performance, and availability continuously using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Azure Monitor, Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), and custom T-SQL monitoring scripts; generate alerts and respond within defined SLA windows.

●    Design, implement, and periodically test disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity plans (BCP) for all assigned SQL Server databases; document test results and remediation actions.

●    Manage database security in compliance with NIST SP 800-53 AC (Access Control) and AU (Audit and Accountability) control families: create and maintain SQL logins, server roles, database roles, permissions, and SQL Server Audit specifications.

●    Optimize query performance through systematic execution plan analysis, index design and consolidation, query refactoring, and resource governor configuration to meet application SLA requirements.

●    Support application development teams with schema design review, stored procedure and function development guidance, SSIS package deployments, SSRS report server administration, and object-level change management.

●    Coordinate with GPO system owners and the COR on database change management: prepare and submit Request for Change (RFC) documentation; participate in Change Advisory Board (CAB) reviews as required.

●    Apply Microsoft Cumulative Updates (CUs), Service Packs, and security patches to all SQL Server environments in coordination with GPO's formal change management and patch approval process, ensuring minimal service disruption.

●    Implement, manage, and monitor SQL Server Always On Availability Groups (AG), database mirroring (legacy environments), and log shipping configurations to meet GPO high availability (HA) requirements and defined Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) / Recovery Time Objectives (RTO).

●    Document all database configurations, operational procedures, architectural decisions, and change records in accordance with GPO configuration management and knowledge management policies; maintain current and accurate runbooks.

●    Participate in database capacity planning activities; assess current and projected storage, memory, CPU, and I/O resource utilization; provide written recommendations to the Senior DBA Lead and GPO stakeholders.

●    Support data migration projects between SQL Server versions and from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Database or Azure SQL Managed Instance, including pre-migration assessment, migration execution, and post-migration validation.

●    Respond to and resolve database-related incidents escalated through the GPO IT service management (ITSM) platform within defined SLA tiers; document resolution actions and root cause findings in the ticketing system.

●    Produce and distribute weekly and monthly database health, availability, and performance reports to GPO program stakeholders and the Senior DBA Lead; highlight trends and recommend proactive actions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

●    Minimum three (3) years of hands-on Microsoft SQL Server DBA experience in a production enterprise environment, with demonstrated responsibility for multi-instance SQL Server management.

●    Proficiency in T-SQL programming, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), SQL Server Agent job management, and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package administration and deployment.

●    Practical experience implementing and managing SQL Server Always On Availability Groups and/or Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) for SQL Server in production environments.

●    Demonstrated experience designing and executing SQL Server backup and recovery strategies, including full, differential, and transaction log backup chains, and point-in-time recovery operations.

●    Familiarity with NIST SP 800-53 security control families and their specific application to relational database management systems (RDBMS), including least privilege, audit logging, and encryption requirements.

●    Experience using SQL Server performance monitoring and diagnostic tools, including SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA), Redgate SQL Monitor, SQL Server Profiler, Extended Events, or native DMV-based monitoring.

●    Working knowledge of Windows Server operating systems in an Active Directory domain environment, including Windows Authentication integration with SQL Server and Group Policy Objects (GPOs) impacting SQL Server services.

●    Ability to obtain and maintain a federal Public Trust – Moderate Background Investigation (MBI) suitability determination as a condition of employment on this contract.

●    U.S. Citizenship required as a condition of employment supporting this Legislative Branch agency contract.

●    Strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to author clear technical documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and briefing materials accessible to non-technical government stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

●    Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300) or equivalent current Microsoft database certification.

●    Hands-on experience with Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, or SQL Server on Azure IaaS virtual machines in a production or test capacity.

●    Familiarity with PowerShell scripting for database administration automation, including use of the DBATools module or equivalent frameworks.

●    Prior experience supporting federal government IT contracts, particularly within Legislative Branch, civilian agency, or DoD environments.

●    Experience with ServiceNow or a comparable ITSM platform for incident management, change management, and problem management workflows.

●    Working knowledge of FISMA compliance requirements, FedRAMP authorization boundaries, and DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) as applied to Microsoft SQL Server environments.

Public Trust – Moderate Background Investigation (MBI) required at minimum; Tier 4 (Secret) clearance may be required based on system access

Certifications: strongly preferred

Microsoft Certified: SQL Server / Database Administration (DP-300 or equivalent)-s

Preferred Certifications

-Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Database Fundamentals, OR Oracle Database Foundations Associate

-CompTIA A

-Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)

-ITIL Foundation

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Associate's degree or higher in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a closely related field is preferred. Relevant professional experience, industry-recognized certifications, and demonstrated technical competency will be accepted in lieu of a formal degree. Candidates currently enrolled in bachelor's or associate's degree programs in a qualifying field and possessing the required experience and certifications will also be considered.

Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to maintaining reliable database systems that empower our organization’s success!

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Retirement plan

Application Question(s):

• Are you a US Citizen? This government client requires US Citizenship
• Do you have Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent monitoring queues, open ticket assignments, and scheduled maintenance tasks without missing SLA deadlines.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal Public Trust

Experience:

• in a database administration: 3 years (Required)
• recent graduates with relevant coursework, lab, internships: 1 year (Required)

Basic working knowledge Microsoft SQL Server: 1 year