Database Administrator

Role Responsibilities

Be the backbone of systems that people rely on every day !

As a Database Administrator (DBA), you’ll be trusted with keeping mission-critical database platforms secure, resilient, and performing at their best across both cloud and on-premises environments. Working hands-on with SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and Azure-hosted database services, you’ll support the full database lifecycle and play a direct role in enabling reliable, compliant, and high-impact digital services.

You’ll work alongside skilled technical teams, influence platform standards, and contribute to cloud modernization and continuous improvement initiatives. Operating within mature IT Service Management (ITSM) practices, this role offers the opportunity to solve complex problems, strengthen enterprise platforms, and make a meaningful impact through the services you support.

Responsibilities:

Some of the responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

• Install, configure, operate, and maintain SQL Server and PostgreSQL platforms across on-premises and Azure (PaaS and IaaS) environments.
• Monitor database health and performance, performing proactive tuning, optimization, and issue prevention.
• Implement and manage database security controls, including access management, encryption, auditing, and compliance with organizational and government standards
• Plan, test, and support backup, restore, high availability, and disaster recovery (HA/DR) solutions aligned with defined RPO/RTO targets.
• Support database lifecycle activities such as patching, upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning.
• Collaborate with application and service teams to support database design, integration, and operational best practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve database incidents and problems, escalating complex issues as appropriate.
• Contribute to platform standards, technical documentation, runbooks, and continuous improvement initiatives, including automation and enhanced monitoring.

To be successful in this position, you will demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess issues and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical understanding, from novice to expert.
• Ability to handle high stress situations.

Future-Focused Skills Matter

As database platforms continue to evolve, knowledge of/or a willingness to learn Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation technologies is increasingly important in this role. The successful candidate will be open to leveraging AI-driven tools and insights to enhance monitoring, optimize performance, improve operational efficiency, and support the modernization of database services in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:

https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking: The work done within the APS is part of a larger integrated and inter-related environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.

Qualifications

Required: 

• University degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology. 
• Minimum 2 years of experience in supporting database platforms, application infrastructure, or data-driven systems.
• Experience supporting relational database platforms such as SQL Server and/or PostgreSQL.
• Experience in operational support activities (monitoring, performance tuning, security, backup and recovery).

Equivalencies: Equivalencies are considered:  

• A related two-year diploma in related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution and four (4) years related experience; or
• A related one-year certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution and five (5) years of related experience.

Assets:

• Experience supporting cloud-hosted environments, including Azure-based services (PaaS and/or IaaS).
• Experience working with application or development teams to support database-backed solutions.
• Experience working within IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks (Incident, Problem, Change, and Service Management).
• ITIL Foundation certification.
• Strong hands-on experience with SQL Server and PostgreSQL database administration.
• Knowledge of database performance tuning, security, backup/recovery, and HA/DR concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to apply strong analytical, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues.
• Proven judgment in determining when to independently investigate issues, when to consult with team leads, and when to escalate complex or high-risk matters.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional technical teams, business stakeholders, vendors, and external service providers.
• Experience scripting/automating operational tasks using PowerShell.
• Experience using GitHub (repos, pull requests, branching).
• Experience implementing repeatable operational tooling/runbooks using version control.
• Experience in identifying and implementing continuous improvements to production database services by reducing operational risk, improving reliability and performance, strengthening security controls, and increasing automation and monitoring maturity.
• Experience in database quality of life and performance enhancement.
• Broad understanding of the technical environment and linkages between systems.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate database service performance and reliability in relation to underlying infrastructure components, including compute (CPU), memory, and storage/I/O, and to coordinate implementation activities across technical teams.

(Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Term of Employment: Permanent full-time position.

Hours of Work:  36.25 hours per week

Location:  Greater Edmonton area (Remote)

This position is eligible for remote work. You must reside in Greater Edmonton Area, Alberta to work remotely for this position.

A written assessment may be required as part of the interview process.

Final candidates will be required to undergo enhanced security screening.

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of
required competencies.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at   the same or lower classification level.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs