Sr. Oracle / Multi-Platform DBA – Intake Summary (Xcel Energy)

Location: Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)
Position Type: Contract (High extension potential)
Citizenship: US Citizen required

Position Overview

This role supports Operational Technology (OT) systems across critical infrastructure, including SCADA, transmission, distribution, and nuclear environments.

The DBA will manage and optimize multiple database platforms while partnering with internal teams to support ongoing projects and ensure high availability, performance, and data integrity.

Core Responsibilities

• Administer and support:

  • Oracle (12c, 19c, 21c)

  • SQL Server (2014–2022)

  • PostgreSQL / MariaDB

• Perform:

  • Backup & recovery

  • Performance tuning

  • Database builds & patching

  • High availability & business continuity support

• Develop and maintain automation scripts:

  • KornShell (Linux/Unix)

  • PowerShell (Windows)

• Support ticketing operations via ServiceNow

• Participate in on-call rotation (every 4 weeks)

Typical Day

• Monitor alerts and DBA helpdesk queue

• Troubleshoot performance/issues across DB platforms

• Work on active projects (ex: ADMS upgrades)

• Collaborate with internal application infrastructure teams

• Execute scripting/automation tasks

Team Environment

• Team of ~5 DBAs

• Highly collaborative, transparent culture

• Internal-facing role (no external clients)

Top Required Skills

• 5–7 years DBA experience across:

  • Oracle SQL Server (required)

  • PostgreSQL / MariaDB (preferred)

• Strong experience with:

  • Backup & recovery

  • Performance tuning

  • Database builds & patching

• Scripting:

  • KornShell PowerShell

• Experience with ServiceNow

Nice-to-Have

• Utility / SCADA / OT environment experience

• Oracle RAC, ASM, Data Guard

• SQL Server AlwaysOn / clustering

• Certifications (Oracle OCP, Microsoft)

Resume Red Flags

• Employment gaps > 2 months

• Frequent job hopping

• Lack of hands-on DBA work (overly theoretical profiles)

Pre-Screen Questions (Recruiter Use)

Experience Validation

1. How many total years of IT experience do you have in service delivery?

2. How many years of SQL Server DBA experience do you have?

3. How many years of Oracle DBA experience do you have?

4. What experience do you have with PostgreSQL and/or MariaDB/MySQL?

Technical Deep Dive

1. Walk me through your experience with:

   • SQL Server backup/recovery, performance tuning, HA/DR

2. Walk me through your experience with:

   • Oracle backup/recovery, performance tuning, HA/DR

Core DBA Knowledge

1. What is the difference between DELETE vs TRUNCATE?

2. What is the default port for:

   • Oracle Listener?

   • SQL Server?

3. How do you create an SPFILE from a PFILE in Oracle?

4. Name Oracle data dictionary views you’ve used.

5. Name SQL Server DMVs you’ve used.

6. How do you rebuild an index online in Oracle?

7. How do you start/stop an Oracle database?

8. How do you start/stop SQL Server services/databases?

Tools & Scripting

1. What scripting languages have you used for automation?

2. What tools have you used to administer databases (Oracle/SQL Server)?

Behavioral / Fit

1. Describe a time you handled a critical database issue.

2. How do you prioritize multiple production issues?

3. Experience working in on-call rotations?