Database Administrator III - Shoprite Group

We are looking for an experienced SQL SERVER database administrator who will be responsible for ensuring the performance, availability, and security of SQL SERVER instances. You will also be responsible for orchestrating upgrades, backups, and provisioning of database instances. You will also work in tandem with the other teams, preparing documentation and specifications as required.

The SQL SERVER instances will be hosted in our data centre as well as in AWS/Microsoft cloud platforms. 

Job Objectives

• To manage SQL SERVER installations and upgrades. 
• To assist Development Teams in designing and optimising systems.
• To carry out database administration tasks.
• To work with SECURITY team to manage access and compliance.
• To research, assess and implement SQL SERVER variations in AWS / AZURE.
• To manage all SQL SERVER installations and upgrades.
• Ensure a standard is applied to all installations.
• Keep track of new software versions and updates and plan upgrades.
• Raise awareness for END-OF-LIFE versions.
• To assist Development Teams in designing and optimising systems
• Review database designs and make recommendations to address shortcomings.
• Perform proactive monitoring and feedback to developers, highlighting queries that can be improved.
• To carry out basic database administrative tasks
• Check OS and Database logs.
• Do backups and restores as requested.
• Do regular disaster recovery trials.
• Profile server resource usage, optimise and tweak as necessary
• Resolve incidents.
• Automate maintenance tasks through appropriate scripting language.
• Monitor capacity to prevent unplanned outages.
• Grant permission to servers and databases in conjunction with standards as per SECURITY team.
• Design and implement HIGH AVAILABILITY architecture( logshipping,mirroring, availability groups ). 
• Research , assess and implement new features in SQL SERVER where appropriate and beneficial to solution.
• To work with SECURITY team to manage access and compliance
• Regularly review database and SQL instance permissions to make sure appropriate access is in place.
• Regularly review AD groups to make sure membership is still valid.
• Provide output to internal and external auditors as requested.
• Implement encryption and data masking options where required.
• Grant permission to servers and databases in conjunction with standards as per SECURITY team.
• Review SQL SERVER licenses for compliance as well opportunities to reduce costs.
• To research, assess and implement SQL SERVER variations in AWS / AZURE.
• Investigate Database As A Service(DBaaS) and Platform As A Service(Paas) options in Azure and AWS cloud offerings.
• Research Infrastructure As A Service(IaaS) offerings Azure and AWS.
• Plan database migrations from ON-PREM to cloud for identified systems

Qualifications

• Grade 12
• Tertiary qualification related to IT
• Relevant courses in database management
• AWS Associate Architect
• Azure Fundamentals

Experience

• Experience managing SQL SERVER databases, including databases larger than 1TB - Years (5+)
• Experience in SQL SERVER versions 2014-2019 - Years (3+)
• Experience with Azure SQL;Azure SQL Managed Instances - Years (2+)
• Experience with data encryption using SQL SERVER

Knowledge and Skills

• General understanding of database management concepts - Years (5+)
• Strong proficiency in SQL SERVER database administration – backups, restores, installation , patching and monitoring error logs - Years (5+)
• SQL SERVER query performance tuning - Years (5+)
• SQL SERVER transparent data encryption - Years (1+)
• Experience configuring SQL SERVER ALWAYSON AVAILABILITY groups and DATABASE MIRRORING - Years (2+)
• Writing STORE PROCEDURES - Years (5+)
• Migration of SQL SERVER from ON-PREM to AZURE/AWS - Years( 2+)