Database Administrator

What You Do

As a databas e administrator, you will b uild, test, install and modify computer databases. You are the person responsible for making sure that an organization’s database is up and available. Your job could involve:

• assisting with design issues,
• laying out the structure of the database,
• identifying and resolving users’ problems,
• developing and implementing maintenance procedures.

You are also required to ensure the security of the data by conducting and devising regular backup and recovery processes. As upgrades of software become available you will also be required to tune the database and ensure it is running at optimum speed.

Unless it is a small organization, you are usually a member of a team. Depending on your level of responsibility, you will have varying levels of contact with people.

Job stream: Database Administration

Sample titles:

• Database Administrator or DBA
• System Engineer
• Data Analysis Specialist

Who You Do It For

Databases have become increasingly important in t he information age and database administrator jobs cut across a lot of industries. Likely employers include any organization that uses databases as part of its operations such as:

• retail stores,
• catalogue companies,
• insurance companies,
• communications companies (telephone, broadcasting),
• financial institutions,
• hospitals,
• utilities,
• government agencies,
• schools, universities,
• computer companies, and
• businesses in the service industries.

How You Do It

As a database administrator, you will be expected to have a very good unde rstanding of computers, computer systems, computer principles and protocols.

In addition, you will have to keep up to date with new information technology methods and have an understanding of how these will effect your clients.

Challenges

Since you are responsible for an organization’s system, you need to be able to deal with client pressures when the system goes down, and you have to be able to work all kinds of weird hours to ensure the system is running effectively. The Skills

• gather and consolidate relevant data and information,
• work well on your own or as part of a team,
• interview and relate to people,
• communicate clear and consistent information,
• think analytically and problem solve,
• think quickly,
• learn new information and technology,
• explain complex information simply and accurately,
• pay attention to detail and work effectively under pressure, and
• maintain flexibility in your thinking.

Working Conditions

As the job requires exclusive, undisturbed access to databases, you may be required to work irregular hours. If the computer systems serve other locations, you may also be required to travel to meet with users. The working environment is informal, and can be very stressful.

Like other workers who spend their time in front of a computer terminal, database administrators are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort and hand and wrist problems. What The Future Holds

Information stored in databases has become extremely important, since many organizations rely on data to give them the competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Experienced database administrators are highly sought after, even though increasing numbers of organizations are trying to automate and streamline operations.

Skill Levels

Entry Level Database Administrator

Working under the supervision of a more senior informatics staff member, you could be required to do any of the following:

• acquire and maintain expertise in databases and data modeling or design,
• recover data,
• extract data,
• monitor access and security,
• maintain a secure database environment, working under a supervisor,
• handle user requests,
• work with users and staff to use DBMS tools and techniques,
• interpret installation standards to meet needs, produce database components,
• help in designing, constructing complex database systems, working under a supervisor,
• develop awareness of business trends and latest information systems,
• adhere to and communicate database standards to users and developers.

Full Working Database Administrator

At this level, you will be performing the job as database administrator without supervision and you may be responsible for the supervision of other staff on a project.

In addition you may be responsi ble for small projects or portions of medium-large projects and may be required to do the following:

• continue to maintain and build expertise,
• give advice in selecting and applying database tools and facilities, establish, maintain and document data models and interpret them into database,
• construct, maintain, test, correct, and document DBMS software,
• contribute fully to multi-specialist teams for application development,
• accurately estimate what data resources can do and plan for future needs,
• ensure relevant regulations and standards are being complied with and met,
• manage technical staff and train users,
• participate in backup and recovery planning,
• ensure that preventative backups are executed, and restore systems if they crash,
• implement and maintain database access and security control,
• make sure contractors and vendors deliver what they’ve been assigned to do,
• devise database product strategies and advise on database options,
• implement and maintain database objects, and
• ensure targets are met.

Intermediate Database Administrator

As the intermediate database administrator, you will be expected to supervise staff. You may also be required to:

• use expert knowledge of database and data modeling or design,
• quickly think up potential solutions for user problems,
• find new ways to apply database techniques to design and performance,
• keep up with state-of-the-art database topics and come up with and report on new ways of doing things,
• manage vendor relationships,
• promote database solutions to users and developers,
• take full responsibility for quality of work and utilization of resources,
• train and educate personnel in working with databases,
• maintain database access and security controls,
• define migration standards and ensure migration plans meets requirements,
• assess whether staff has the technical skills to do the work,
• investigate and understand implications of new hardware and software,
• set database uses policy and apply database techniques to non-standard situations, and
• manage the DBMS environment.

Senior Database Administrator

As the senior database administrator you will most likely be involved in planning, conducting and supervising complex informatics assignments. You will also be involved in designing and applying ne w methods and procedures and supervising staff.

Your job could also require you to do some of the following:

• manage major centre of database architecture, software or facility expertise,
• set policy standards for how people use the database technology,
• work with senior personnel to prepare informatics budget and policies,
• take ultimate responsibility for DBMS software planning and specification,
• search out and take a lead in promoting new uses of database technology,
• manage interaction between the users and hardware, software and data,
• exercise ultimate responsibility in all technical decisions,
• provide expert knowledge in selecting and using database architectures, software and facilities,
• set policy for database practices policy related to data quality, security and access,
• establish vendor relationships, and
• manage technical staff to meet DBMS resource requirements.

Salary Range

$39,000 - $85,250

Education and Training

Junior Database Administrator

Education requirements vary depending on an employer’s needs. In general, you will need a university degree or college diploma and 0-2 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience working with computers and comp uter operating systems.

Full Working Database Administrator

This level requires 3-5 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university degree or college diploma.

Intermediate Database Administrator

This level requires 3-5 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience, as well as a university degree or college diploma.

Senior Database Administrator

This level requires 6-8 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience as well as a university degree or college diploma.