Database Administrators

IT Operations & Cybersecurity

Level 4455 of 1200 points

Job description

Database Administrators

Job purpose

To administer, test and secure the organisation's computer databases, to implement changes and upgrades to them, and to resolve issues of database performance, capacity and scalability, so that corporate data remains available, accurate and protected against accidental or unauthorised damage, modification or disclosure.

Skills

Detailed knowledge of database management systems and of the hardware, software and telecommunications they depend on, covering logical and physical database description, data modelling, coding and programming, performance monitoring, security design and access control, and the engineering principles behind capacity and scalability, supported by applied mathematics and clear technical writing. A bachelor's degree is held by the large majority of incumbents, with small numbers holding a post-baccalaureate certificate or a two-year degree, together with several years of related experience and on-the-job training.
Trains users, answers their questions and gives technical support to junior staff and clients, explaining technical matters to people of differing technical understanding. Directs programmers and analysts making database changes, works closely within a team, and handles complaints, settles disagreements and negotiates over access and proposed changes. Evaluates industry trends in database systems to advise senior management.
Identifies, investigates and resolves database performance, capacity and scalability problems; tests databases and application changes and corrects errors; and evaluates systems against defined standards. Guidance exists, in database management system manuals and established procedures, but diagnosis of performance faults and the design of data models and security arrangements call for original technical judgement.
Plans, coordinates and implements security measures; plans and installs upgrades of database management system software; and approves, schedules and supervises the installation and testing of new databases and other improvements to computer systems. Determines own tasks, priorities and goals within that framework.
Keyboard-intensive work at a workstation involving a considerable amount of repetitive hand and finger movement, with some time standing at equipment. No manual handling demands.

Responsibilities

No line management. Directs programmers and analysts making database changes, supervises the installation and testing of new products, coordinates and leads others, and trains and supports junior staff and clients. Carries some answerability for the work outcomes of other workers.
Holds no budget. Recommends the hardware and software technologies needed to achieve database performance and develops standards for the use and acquisition of software; authority to commit expenditure rests above the role.
Responsible for the database management systems and the computer systems on which they run, including installing software upgrades and supervising the testing of new products.
Owns the structure, security and integrity of the organisation's databases: implements measures safeguarding information in computer files against accidental or unauthorised damage, modification or disclosure; specifies users and user access levels for each segment of the database; writes and codes logical and physical database descriptions; develops data models of data elements and their use; and revises the organisation's definition of data in the data dictionary. Accuracy is essential and error carries substantial consequences.

Effort required

Exacting technical concentration on coding, testing, monitoring and fault diagnosis, where an undetected error may propagate through stored data. Decisions are taken frequently and with considerable latitude, and routine recurring administration sits alongside investigative work on faults whose cause is initially unknown.
Personally accountable for the availability, security and integrity of data that others depend on, where error carries consequences for colleagues and company results. Handles complaints and disputes over access and change requests and supports users of widely varying technical understanding.
Predominantly seated work with a considerable amount of repetitive hand and finger motion, and some time spent standing. No lifting or exertion recorded.

Working conditions

Indoors throughout, in an environmentally controlled setting, with no hazardous conditions, contaminants or noise exposure recorded. Contact is high in volume — e-mail in particular, with telephone conversations, face-to-face discussion and continuous work within a team — but no dealings with angry or discourteous people are recorded.
Almost all incumbents work a regular established routine on a set schedule, most of them a standard full-time week; no shift, out-of-hours or on-call pattern is recorded. Considerable freedom to determine tasks, priorities and goals, with decisions taken frequently, a real consequence attaching to error, and a recurring element of repeated tasks that must be performed consistently.

Skills

40% · 231 points▾

KnowledgeLevel 4 of 8
72 of 144 points
Factual and theoretical knowledge in broad contexts within a field of work. The job requires a range of thinking and practical knowledge to find solutions to specific problems in the job or study area.
Interpersonal and communication skillsLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Effective communication and interpersonal relationships. The job holder is required to adapt communication to different audiences and foster trust, cooperation and positive working relationships.
Problem-solving skillsLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Variable problems. The job involves dealing with different kinds of problems that require careful thinking, research into different options or adjusting existing ways of doing things. Guidance and resources may be limited.
Planning and organisational skillsLevel 3 of 5
43 of 72 points
Moderate organisational skills required. The job requires the organising and prioritising of multiple tasks, with some level of adjustment to plans on the basis of changing circumstances or deadlines.
Physical skillsLevel 0 of 5
0 of 72 points
Not applicable. The job does not require any particular physical skills (although there is likely to be some physical activity).

Responsibility

35% · 121 points▾

PeopleLevel 1 of 5
29 of 144 points
Very limited. Not required to supervise or perform a caregiving role. The job may involve providing basic guidance to or orientation for others, such as helping new colleagues settle in.
Goods and equipmentLevel 2 of 5
34 of 84 points
Some responsibility for goods or equipment. The job involves the use and maintenance of equipment or stock, and the job holder is responsible for ensuring resources are used appropriately and safely.
InformationLevel 3 of 5
58 of 96 points
Moderate responsibility for information. The job involves managing information to ensure it is accurate, of high quality and secure. The job holder may make decisions about the handling of sensitive data.
Financial resourcesLevel 0 of 5
0 of 96 points
Not applicable. The job does not require any responsibility for financial resources.

Effort

15% · 79 points▾

Mental effortLevel 3 of 5
36 of 60 points
High level of mental effort. The job involves frequent concentration on complex tasks that require considerable mental effort, such as interpreting complex data.
Psychosocial and emotional effortLevel 3 of 5
43 of 72 points
Moderate psychosocial and emotional effort. The job requires the regular management of emotional responses, such as dealing with sensitive or challenging individuals or situations.
Physical effortLevel 0 of 5
0 of 48 points
Not applicable. The job does not require any physical effort.

Working Conditions

10% · 24 points▾

Environment (physical, psychological or emotional)Level 1 of 5
17 of 84 points
Minimal exposure to hazards or stress. The job involves little or no exposure to physical hazards (e.g. chemicals, moving equipment, noise) and minimal emotional or psychological risks (e.g. occasional routine tasks with no emotional burden). There is minor exposure to dust, dirt, fumes, noise, waste, poor lighting, etc.
Organisational environmentLevel 1 of 5
7 of 36 points
Minimal organisational demands. The job requires standard working hours with no night shifts or irregular schedules. There is little or no need for travel or digital connectivity beyond typical working hours.