Senior MS SQL Database Administrator – Contract Position

SQL Server / Cloud DBA Position

Contract Length: 8 months with the possibility of extending based on project need. Candidate residing in Richmond, VA area is preferred.

This is a hybrid role.

The client's Information Technology Division (ITD) Tolling group is seeking a SQL Server / Cloud DBA to join the Tolling Engineering and Operations Team to administer and support SQL Server and cloud databases in the Tolling group; the role also includes help desk and application support responsibilities.

The selected candidate will have:

• Expertise working as a SQL Server DBA
• Expertise working with SQL clustering, mirroring and high availability
• Experience working with large SQL databases
• Expertise in writing Transact SQL
• Experience tuning SQL Server databases
• Expertise in installing, upgrading, patching and migrating SQL Server databases
• Experience working on a Windows platform
• Exposure to SSIS, SSAS, & SSRS
• Experience working with Azure Cloud

The selected candidate will:

• Monitor databases to maintain/ensure database uptime and availability.
• Troubleshoot application/database issues related to connectivity, access, security, etc.
• Tune long running SQL
• Review & refine existing database tasks and processes to better align with agency/group priorities.
• Leverage & utilize O/S scripting utilities in support of database maintenance/diagnosis/support.
• Review the existing database implementation and propose, execute, and/or direct necessary changes.
• Perform SQL Server installations (2022, 2025+ w/failover clustering).
• Support SQL Server databases (administration, support, tuning).
• Knowledgeable of data modeling principles

Be expected to:

• Rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Independently perform a variety of complicated tasks.
• Work with a team of Engineering and Operations professionals.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both speaking and in writing.

Qualifications:

• At least 6 years of experience w/ Microsoft SQL Server database
• At least 1 year of Azure, Snowflake, or Databricks experience (a certification is acceptable in lieu of experience)
• Master's degree in computer science, information systems or other applicable and/or equivalent skills, knowledge and/or work history
• Demonstrated experience in communicating effectively using standard requirements and design artifacts
• Minimum 3–4 years hands-on experience upgrading E-ZPassVirginia Tolling SQL Server environments from SQL 2012 to SQL 2019, including compatibility evaluations, Query Tuning Assistant, and Database Migration Assistant.
• Experience diagnosing and resolving deadlocks and blocking in Tolling production workloads, including extended events, Query Store, and wait statistic analysis.
• Experience tuning Very Large Databases (2 TB+) including index optimization, long-running workload analysis, and minimizing resource contention.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• This position requires a fingerprint-based background check.
• The successful contractor will be required to continue education at own expense to stay current with client's technologies.

Required/Desired Skills:

• MS SQL Server Database Management. Required, 6 Years
• SQL Server Tuning. Required, 3 Years
• Upgrading E-ZPass tolling databases. Required, 2 Years
• Diagnosing and resolving deadlocks and blocking in Tolling production workloads. Required, 3 Years
• Tuning Very Large Databases (2 TB+) including index optimization, long-running workload analysis, and minimizing resource contention. Required, 2 Years
• Experience working with SSIS, SSRS & SSAS. Required, 3 Years
• Coding & debugging Transact SQL. Required, 1 Years
• Expertise in installing, upgrading, patching and migrating SQL Server databases. Required, 4 Years
• DB Administration on Azure Cloud, Snowflake, and/or Databricks. Nice to have, 1 Years