Senior Database Administrator

Department: IT Infrastructure

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US, 95817\-1899

Category: Information Technology/Telecommunications

Minimum Pay Rate: $134,971\.20

Maximum Pay Rate: $178,776\.00

Civil Service Status: Civil Service

Apply by Date: 05/18/2026

Posting Type: Open

We're looking for a Senior Database Administrator who can keep our data environment running smoothly and securely. In this role, you will be the subject matter expert of SMUD's database systems, making sure they're fast, reliable, and scalable. You'll design, configure, maintain and support critical enterprise database systems including Oracle and SQL Server. You'll lead efforts to provide the most reliable, robust, and secure solutions, working closely with IT teams and business units as well as mentoring junior database administrators.

If you're ready to make a real impact and help power a brighter future, we want to hear from you!

We are posting this opportunity for the Senior level along with our Journey level position. The department will be filling one position at either of those levels. If you are interested in the Journey level position you will need to apply to that position separately.

Purpose

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Performs advanced professional technical system support and maintenance for SMUD’s databases in the areas of design, development, installation, operation, maintenance and support to ensure SMUD’s use of technology supports its current and future business practices; installs, maintains, and implements DBMS software and support tools.

Nature and Scope

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Serves as an advanced journey level resource in a relevant professional discipline; works independently on projects of moderate complexity; exercises independent judgment and discretion; may serve in a Lead role and assist in planning, coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating and developing lower\-level personnel; performs the more complex or technical assignments; oversees and provides overall direction in the use of DBMS and supporting tools for business units to accomplish SMUD work.

Duties and Responsibilities

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• Functions as a technical expert on DBMS and problem resolution; provides support and a resource to other departments that have SMUD wide projects affecting database administration.
• Oversees the design, development and implementation of large application databases; implements and maintains computer systems relative to DBMS software and third\-party system support tools; provides a reliable DBMS information technology infrastructure.
• Supports SMUD’s strategic information technology goals and direction by serving as a professional technical expert on application database projects; designs, develops, implements and maintains the database systems; identifies potential database management projects.
• Ensures SMUD’s database systems meet and serve SMUD’s current and future business needs; conducts feasibility and needs assessment studies; defines functional system requirements and specifications including conducting business process and data analysis; develops technical standards and procedures and system design; recommends improvements and modifications to new and existing database system software to improve business processes.
• Prepares procurement and bid documents; evaluates proposals and hardware/software products; procures IT hardware, software and services; develops system and user acceptance tests; plans the integration of new technologies and applications; installs and integrates applications and systems; performs post\-implementation reviews.
• Maintains and operates systems; monitors and troubleshoots complex technical problems using established processes and methods.
• Provides technical solutions, support and user training on software issues to ensure database users optimize the database infrastructure; provides technical consultation to business units to minimize downtime; troubleshoots hardware, software and applications problems; documents problems and fixes; provides 24\-hours on\-call support.
• Establishes training needs; develops training plans, procedures and materials; provides one\-on\-one and small group training related to database systems.
• Provides leadership and participates in the assigned tasks of a work unit in order to meet defined unit goals; communicates with team members and incorporates their input to processes and techniques; provides staff training; promotes staff safety and a safe work environment; assists in selecting and orienting new personnel; assists in evaluating work performance results; refers problems to higher level supervisory staff when solutions are not readily achievable.
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, monitors, guides, reviews and conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Assists in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures and assignments.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

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• High School diploma or equivalent

Required Experience Qualifications

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• Five or more (5\+) years of progressively responsible work in establishing criteria, formulating projects planning and design end assessment of database with two or more of the following databases: IDMS, IMS, DB2, Sybase SQL Server, Oracle, and MS SQL Server.

Required Licenses/Certificates

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• Certificates in information technology and/or a products/technology related field from educational institutions or vendor certified programs.

Knowledge Of

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Advanced principals and concepts of relational and network data base management; advanced DBMS performance tuning and troubleshooting techniques; network and mainframe configuration and design; principals and concepts of data management; operating concepts for multi\-user, multitasking operating systems; concepts and principles related to implementing technology solutions; methods and techniques of data access; advanced techniques and practices for problem research and resolution; advanced techniques and practices for resolving complex technical issues; concepts of centralized and distributed computing; characteristics and operational needs of various organizational units; procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects; techniques and practices for problem research and resolution; techniques and practices for resolving complex technical issues; concepts and principles related to change management; methods and techniques for planning, organizing and overseeing work activities; methods and techniques for training staff; basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; safety policies, practices and procedures.

Skills To

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Provide overall technical DBMS direction; provide overall performance tuning direction; provide overall guidance and direction for backup and recovery; manage multiple projects simultaneously; plan, develop and implement automated solutions for business functions; build, maintain and test corporate database environments; plan the installation of new releases of database software; install and maintain database management software such as DB2, MS SQL Server and Oracle; ensure the integrity of all physical database objects; establish database procedures; create storage groups, databases, tables and views; assist in establishing backup, recovery and restart procedures; analyze procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements using information technology systems software, tools and processes; utilize logic and analysis to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches; read and interpret plans, diagrams specifications, program languages and contracts; develop an estimation of how a system should work under ideal conditions; analyze and model business processes and data; conduct feasibilities studies; identify and assess training needs for staff; express ideas/facts clearly and concisely to individual or groups, taking into account the audience and nature of information; stay abreast of new IT technology, tools and methods to develop and support business applications; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; operate office equipment including computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally.

Desirable Qualifications

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• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in Computer Science, MIS, or related field or equivalent
• 5 or more (5\+) years of experience Architecting, implementing and maintaining SQL Server solutions including but not limited to:

+ SQL Server installation and upgrades

+ SQL Server Licensing and its various types

+ SQL Server backup and restore including full and partial recovery and point in time restores

+ SQL Server security including server level and database level permissions and roles

+ Implementing SQL Server HA solutions including AlwaysOn Availability Groups, AlwaysOn Failover cluster instances and Windows Server Failover Clusters

+ Performance and Troubleshooting

+ SQL Server Agents

+ DR offerings

• 5 or more (5\+) years of experience in:

+ Windows Server basic administration for purposes of DBA work

+ Using VMware vCenter to monitor VMs and troubleshoot issues

+ Linux or Unix experience

+ Oracle administration:

• Installation and upgrades
• Licensing
• DR offerings

+ Automation and scripting (SQL, Bash, shell, PowerShell, T\-SQL, PL/SQL)

+ Active Directory concepts (user/computer accounts, Service Principal Names, managed service accounts)

+ Managing VLDBs (Very Large Databases)

• Knowledge of

+ Linked Servers

+ SQL Server cloud offerings

+ PostgreSQL

+ DB2

Physical Requirements

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Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) \- Who We Are

As the nation's sixth\-largest community\-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world\-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity \& Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020\. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth\-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world\-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally\-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm\-to\-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

Hybrid Work

This position may be eligible for SMUD's hybrid (office/home) work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to hybrid work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part\-time or full\-time basis.

CalPERS

SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non\-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Req ID: 2876