Database Administrator

Location: Centurion, Gauteng (provisional – to be confirmed)
Positions Available: 5
Salary: Market-related
Employment Type: To be confirmed

Job Overview

We are seeking experienced and technically proficient Database Administrators (DBAs) to administer, maintain, monitor, secure and optimise enterprise database environments within complex, high-availability IT infrastructures.

The successful candidates will be responsible for ensuring the performance, availability, integrity, security and operational reliability of business-critical databases supporting enterprise applications and services.

This role requires strong hands-on expertise in database administration, SQL, performance tuning, backup and recovery, high availability, database security, monitoring and production troubleshooting.

The ideal candidates will have proven experience managing enterprise relational database platforms such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL or IBM Db2, with the ability to diagnose complex technical problems and maintain reliable database services.

Candidates should understand database infrastructure, operating system integration, storage management, replication, disaster recovery and enterprise change management processes.

The role requires close collaboration with database architects, application developers, infrastructure engineers, systems administrators, cybersecurity specialists and business stakeholders.

This is a specialist Database Administrator role requiring substantial hands-on enterprise database administration and production support experience. General SQL development, reporting or data analysis experience alone will not be sufficient.

Key Responsibilities

Database Installation, Configuration and Administration

• Install, configure, administer and maintain enterprise database management systems.
• Manage database instances, configurations and operational settings.
• Create and maintain databases, schemas, tablespaces and database objects.
• Monitor database availability, health and resource utilisation.
• Perform routine database maintenance and housekeeping.
• Apply approved database patches, upgrades and security updates.
• Maintain development, testing, staging and production database environments.
• Troubleshoot database configuration and operational issues.
• Ensure database configurations follow organisational standards.
• Maintain accurate database administration documentation.

Database Performance Monitoring and Optimisation

• Monitor database performance, throughput and transaction processing.
• Analyse SQL queries and execution plans to identify performance bottlenecks.
• Optimise indexes, statistics and database structures.
• Investigate locking, blocking, deadlocks and slow-running queries.
• Tune database memory, storage and configuration parameters.
• Monitor database resource consumption and workload patterns.
• Perform database performance assessments and health checks.
• Support capacity planning and performance forecasting.
• Collaborate with developers to optimise application database interactions.
• Recommend improvements to database efficiency and scalability.

Backup, Recovery and Disaster Recovery

• Configure and maintain reliable database backup procedures.
• Perform and monitor full, differential, incremental and transaction log backups as applicable.
• Execute database restore and recovery operations.
• Validate backup integrity through scheduled restore testing.
• Maintain database recovery documentation and procedures.
• Support disaster recovery planning and testing.
• Monitor recovery readiness and identify potential risks.
• Support recovery time and recovery point objectives.
• Investigate backup failures and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure business-critical databases can be restored within agreed requirements.

High Availability and Database Replication

• Configure, administer and monitor database high-availability solutions.
• Support clustering, replication and failover technologies.
• Monitor database synchronisation and replication health.
• Troubleshoot replication delays and availability incidents.
• Support database failover testing and recovery exercises.
• Maintain resilient database configurations.
• Identify single points of failure affecting database availability.
• Coordinate infrastructure maintenance affecting database services.
• Validate database availability following failover or recovery.
• Recommend improvements to database resilience and continuity.

Database Security and Access Management

• Implement database authentication and authorisation controls.
• Manage database users, roles, permissions and privileges.
• Apply least-privilege and role-based access principles.
• Configure database encryption and secure connections where required.
• Support database auditing and security monitoring.
• Review database access and identify inappropriate permissions.
• Assist with vulnerability assessments and security remediation.
• Apply approved security patches and hardening standards.
• Protect sensitive and confidential information.
• Support compliance with POPIA and organisational security policies.

Database Storage and Capacity Management

• Monitor database storage utilisation and growth.
• Manage data files, log files, tablespaces and storage allocations.
• Identify storage constraints and capacity risks.
• Plan database storage expansion and resource requirements.
• Monitor transaction log growth and utilisation.
• Optimise storage configurations and database maintenance activities.
• Coordinate storage-related changes with infrastructure teams.
• Support data archival and retention processes.
• Maintain database capacity records and forecasts.
• Recommend improvements to storage efficiency.

Database Monitoring and Incident Response

• Monitor database alerts, logs and diagnostic information.
• Investigate database failures, connectivity issues and performance degradation.
• Respond to production incidents according to operational priorities.
• Perform root cause analysis and technical troubleshooting.
• Restore database services following operational failures.
• Escalate complex incidents to appropriate technical teams or vendors.
• Maintain accurate incident records and technical findings.
• Implement preventative measures to reduce recurring incidents.
• Support database availability and service-level requirements.
• Participate in production support and operational reviews.

Database Maintenance and Lifecycle Management

• Perform scheduled database maintenance activities.
• Maintain indexes, statistics and database integrity.
• Support database version upgrades and platform refreshes.
• Plan and execute approved database configuration changes.
• Monitor database software lifecycle and support requirements.
• Maintain database configuration baselines.
• Support database consolidation and infrastructure modernisation.
• Conduct post-maintenance validation and performance checks.
• Maintain change and maintenance records.
• Ensure database environments remain supported and operationally stable.

Database Migration and Integration Support

• Support database migrations between servers, environments and platforms.
• Assist with database consolidation and modernisation initiatives.
• Perform data export, import, backup-based and replication-based migrations.
• Validate data integrity following database migrations.
• Support database schema and configuration changes.
• Collaborate with data migration architects and application teams.
• Troubleshoot database connectivity and integration issues.
• Support ETL/ELT and enterprise data integration processes.
• Participate in migration testing and production cutovers.
• Maintain migration documentation and rollback procedures.

Cloud and Hybrid Database Administration

• Administer cloud-hosted or managed database environments where applicable.
• Support Microsoft Azure, AWS or equivalent cloud database platforms.
• Monitor cloud database performance, availability and capacity.
• Configure database access, connectivity and security settings.
• Support cloud database backup and recovery arrangements.
• Assist with cloud database migration and modernisation.
• Evaluate database resource utilisation and operational costs.
• Support hybrid database connectivity and replication.
• Collaborate with cloud infrastructure and security teams.
• Maintain cloud database operational documentation.

Automation and Scripting

• Develop scripts to automate routine database administration.
• Automate database health checks and maintenance activities.
• Support scheduled backup verification and monitoring.
• Develop operational reporting and diagnostic scripts.
• Use PowerShell, Python, Shell or SQL scripting as appropriate.
• Improve database monitoring and alerting processes.
• Maintain reusable administration scripts.
• Support standardisation of database maintenance procedures.
• Reduce repetitive manual administration tasks.
• Ensure automation follows approved security and change controls.

Change Management and Operational Governance

• Implement database changes through approved change management processes.
• Assess risks associated with database configuration changes.
• Support application deployments and database releases.
• Perform pre-change validation and post-change testing.
• Maintain rollback and recovery procedures.
• Follow incident, problem and change management standards.
• Support database audits and compliance assessments.
• Maintain accurate technical and operational documentation.
• Collaborate with infrastructure and application support teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of database operations.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant diploma or degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Database Administration or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 5+ years of hands-on enterprise database administration experience.
• Proven production database administration experience – essential.
• Strong practical expertise in at least one enterprise relational database platform, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL or IBM Db2.
• Experience installing, configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting databases.
• Advanced SQL skills and experience with query optimisation.
• Strong knowledge of database structures, indexing and performance tuning.
• Practical experience with database backup, restore and recovery.
• Understanding of high availability, clustering, replication and disaster recovery.
• Experience monitoring database health, performance and resource utilisation.
• Knowledge of database security, authentication and access control.
• Experience supporting business-critical production environments.
• Familiarity with Windows Server, Linux or UNIX operating systems.
• Understanding of storage, memory, CPU and network dependencies.
• Experience with database patching, upgrades and maintenance.
• Ability to diagnose complex database incidents and performance problems.
• Scripting or automation experience using SQL, PowerShell, Python or Shell.
• Familiarity with ITIL incident, problem and change management.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with application, infrastructure and cybersecurity teams.
• Willingness to support standby, after-hours maintenance or shift arrangements where required and confirmed.

Technical Skills and Competencies

Enterprise Database Platforms

Strong practical experience with one or more of the following:

• Microsoft SQL Server
• Oracle Database
• PostgreSQL
• MySQL
• IBM Db2
• MariaDB
• Other enterprise relational database management systems

Database Administration

• Database installation and configuration
• Database instance management
• Database maintenance
• Database patching and upgrades
• Schema and database object management
• Database integrity checks
• Tablespace and file management
• Database configuration optimisation
• Database monitoring
• Production database support
• Database lifecycle management

SQL and Performance Tuning

• Advanced SQL
• SQL query optimisation
• Execution plan analysis
• Index management
• Statistics maintenance
• Locking and blocking analysis
• Deadlock troubleshooting
• Query performance diagnostics
• Memory optimisation
• Database workload analysis
• Performance benchmarking
• Capacity planning

Backup, Recovery and High Availability

• Full and incremental backups
• Transaction log backups
• Database restore and recovery
• Point-in-time recovery
• Database replication
• Database clustering
• Automatic and manual failover
• Disaster recovery testing
• Backup validation
• Recovery Time Objectives
• Recovery Point Objectives
• Business continuity

Platform-Specific Technologies

Experience with relevant technologies may include:

• SQL Server Always On Availability Groups
• SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances
• SQL Server Agent
• SQL Server Management Studio
• Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN)
• Oracle Data Guard
• Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC)
• PostgreSQL streaming replication
• PostgreSQL pgBackRest
• MySQL replication
• IBM Db2 HADR
• Native database monitoring and recovery utilities

Cloud Database Technologies

Exposure to relevant platforms would be advantageous:

• Microsoft Azure
• Azure SQL Database
• Azure SQL Managed Instance
• Azure Database for PostgreSQL
• Amazon RDS
• Amazon Aurora
• Google Cloud SQL
• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
• Managed database services
• Cloud backup and recovery
• Hybrid database environments

Operating Systems and Infrastructure

• Windows Server
• Linux
• UNIX
• TCP/IP networking
• DNS fundamentals
• Enterprise storage
• File systems
• CPU and memory monitoring
• Server infrastructure troubleshooting
• Database connectivity
• Virtualised infrastructure
• Infrastructure change management

Database Security

• Database authentication
• Database authorisation
• User and role management
• Database permissions
• Role-based access control
• Database encryption
• TLS connectivity
• Database auditing
• Access monitoring
• Security hardening
• Vulnerability remediation
• POPIA awareness

Monitoring and Administration Tools

Experience with relevant tools such as:

• SQL Server Management Studio
• Oracle Enterprise Manager
• pgAdmin
• MySQL Workbench
• IBM Db2 administration tools
• SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer
• Redgate SQL Monitor
• PRTG
• Zabbix
• Splunk
• ServiceNow
• Other enterprise database monitoring platforms

Automation and Scripting

• SQL scripting
• PowerShell
• Python
• Bash or Shell scripting
• Automated maintenance
• Backup monitoring
• Database health checks
• Operational reporting
• Log analysis
• Scheduled administration tasks
• Configuration automation

Operational Frameworks

• ITIL
• Incident management
• Problem management
• Change management
• Configuration management
• Database governance
• Disaster recovery
• Business continuity
• ISO/IEC 27001 awareness
• Operational risk management
• Technical documentation

Relevant Certifications (Advantageous)

One or more of the following certifications would be beneficial:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
• Microsoft SQL Server administration certifications or training
• Oracle Database Administration certifications
• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure certifications
• IBM Certified Database Administrator – Db2
• PostgreSQL administration certifications or training
• MySQL Database Administrator certifications
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• Relevant AWS database administration training or credentials
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Database Engineer
• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
• Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)
• ITIL 4 Foundation
• Relevant database security, cloud or infrastructure certifications

Key Personal Attributes

• Strong technical troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and database accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in mission-critical production environments.
• Calm and methodical approach to technical incidents.
• Strong understanding of database reliability and operational risk.
• Excellent organisational and documentation skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Proactive approach to monitoring and preventative maintenance.
• Ability to manage competing priorities during production incidents.
• Strong operational discipline and change management awareness.
• Commitment to database security, performance and service availability.
• High levels of accountability, professionalism and integrity.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV clearly demonstrating their practical enterprise database administration experience, together with copies of relevant qualifications and professional certifications.

Candidates should specifically highlight:

• Years of hands-on database administration experience.
• Database platforms and versions personally administered.
• Enterprise production environments supported.
• Database installation, configuration and maintenance responsibilities.
• SQL performance tuning and optimisation experience.
• Backup, recovery, replication and high-availability experience.
• Database security and access management responsibilities.
• Production incident response and troubleshooting experience.
• Database migrations, upgrades and modernisation projects.
• Cloud database administration experience.
• Scripting, automation and monitoring tools used.
• Relevant database administration certifications.

Important: This is a specialist Database Administrator role requiring demonstrable hands-on experience administering and supporting enterprise production databases. General SQL development, data analysis, business intelligence reporting or application support without substantial database administration experience will not meet the intended specialist profile.

Please note: This is a provisional recruitment specification prepared pending confirmation of the client's detailed requirements. The required database platform or platforms, minimum experience, qualifications, certifications, remuneration, employment arrangements and working conditions will be confirmed during the recruitment process.