POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Senior Database Engineer
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5173
GRADE 36
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Coordinator of Management Information Systems
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Senior Database Engineer serves as the technical lead for design, development, and maintenance of the database side of the institution’s systems and applications and works with the Systems Analysts and the development team to design table structures for applications. The Senior Database Engineer is responsible for the maintenance, and enhancements to the Operational Data Store refresh and freeze, Enterprise Data Warehouse freeze processes, and guides the University’s use of the Operational Data Store (ODS) and The Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW); works with the DBAs (database administrators) to develop and maintain both the data systems and the associated reporting mechanisms; meets with users at all levels of the institution to assess needs and design reporting systems; and provides training to both Computer Services staff and campus users covering available data, efficient query techniques, security considerations and reporting tool usage. The Senior Database Engineer maintains the operation of tools like job scheduling and report writing software and other in-house database related tools. The Senior Database Engineer reviews code written by the database developers before it is moved to production and trains MIS (Management Information Systems) database developers in best practices, coding standards and general development, in addition to training functional leads and reporting analysts in efficient querying from the database.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience as described in the Job Family 3 Knowledge Equivalencies Chart is required; a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: Three years of experience in database design, administration, and database application programming is required. Functional knowledge of database management systems and SQL is required. Experience with database query tools and products, Oracle, and PL/SQL is required. Oracle certification is preferred. Experience with ODBC, web development, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access is preferred. Work experience in higher education is preferred.
Skills: The ability to understand and manage complex software and database systems is required. The ability to maintain confidentiality regarding information processed, stored, or accessed by the systems is required. The ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to reason analytically is required. The ability to work with and train people possessing differing levels of technical knowledge is required. Effective verbal and written communication skills and proficiency in writing technical specifications are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Other: The twenty-four-hour scope of university operations requires this position to be available evenings, nights, and weekends to respond to calls regarding questions or problems with the University’s computing systems.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Serves as the technical lead for design, development, and maintenance of databases as part of the institution's systems and applications.
2. Supports the efforts of Systems Analysts and Programmer/Analysts in database table design by providing guidance in logical and physical design, defining and/or updating database tables, and maintaining the data dictionary, metadata, and associated tools.
3. Promotes the uniformity of the database-related programming effort by developing methods and procedures for database programming.
4. Performs database programming tasks when needed.
5. Reviews code developed by the database development team before it is promoted to production.
6. Promotes the professional development of Computer Services staff members and campus users by preparing and offering training and demonstrations regarding database-related design, development, and/or appropriate database querying tools.
7. Collaborates with upper management to provide dashboards providing the data to aid their decision-making process.
8. Communicates effectively with campus users and Computer Services’ staff regarding ODS/EDW data, reporting systems, upgrades, etc. and maintains the web pages that document metadata, data element dictionaries, and general query/reporting information.
9. Ensures the integrity of ODS/EDW data and query results by establishing, publishing, and enforcing database standards and security procedures for the university.
10. Monitors access controls to promote appropriate access to private or highly sensitive information.
11. Designs and maintains database and reporting tool security structures.
12. Promotes the use of the ODS/EDW to align resources with university goals and to assist in the monitoring and collection of key performance indicators.
13. Assists with ODS and EDW upgrades.
14. Assists Computer Services staff in reporting system development considerations regarding use of the database by designing and creating database tables to meet reporting needs.
15. Resolves database-related information requests by conducting a thorough analysis of the needs and employing appropriate techniques and tools to resolve the problems.
16. Maximizes computer system integrity by communicating with users and Computer Services staff to determine and resolve system problems using the appropriate debugging techniques and utilizing the appropriate database vendor support channels.
17. Maintains job scheduling tools, reporting tools, and other related database tools.
18. Assists in the selection of database query and reporting tools and products, making recommendations for purchase, developing bid specifications, evaluating bid responses, and recommending the selection of products that meet the database needs of the university.
19. Develops dashboards, reporting systems, and query repositories to provide access to information.
20. Trains all levels of campus users to access information contained in the ODS and EDW using reporting systems and/or appropriate database querying tools.
21. Organizes and leads the Information Access user group and maintains the associated web site.
22. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
23. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading and researching available tools and products, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as assigned by the Coordinator of Management Information Systems.
24. Contributes to the overall success of the Computer Services Department by performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Coordinator of Management Information Systems.
SUPERVISION
The Senior Database Engineer is supervised by the Coordinator of Management Information Systems and may supervise programmers/analyst and student workers.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
JUNE 2022
