Minnesota State Colleges and Universities · 16 hours ago
Database Administrator/Lead Data Architect (Information Technology Specialist 4)
Winona
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$36.52/hr - $61.14/hr
4+ years expWinona State University is a regional public university and the oldest member of the Minnesota State system. They are seeking a Database Administrator/Lead Data Architect to manage the SQL environment, lead data architecture initiatives, and ensure robust database performance and security. The role involves optimizing SQL systems, developing data schemas, and transforming institutional goals into functional systems.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
No H1B
Responsibilities
Maintain and support WSU’s SQL environment in collaboration with System Administrators with an equal focus on infrastructure DBA responsibilities and SQL-based system integrations
Partner with System Administrators on platform-wide functions including installing and configuring SQL Server versions, applying maintenance and security updates, tuning system parameters, managing storage and capacity, and ensuring reliable integration with institutional applications and services
Deploy and maintain third-party DBA tools that enhance monitoring, automation, and performance
Provide strong SQL programming and T-SQL development expertise by creating, maintaining, and optimizing stored procedures, functions, scripts, and other components essential to application integrations and business processes
Support developers and functional teams by translating requirements into secure, efficient SQL-based solutions that align with institutional standards
Monitor and maintain server and database health, including performance analysis, query and index tuning, workload optimization, backup/restore operations, and long-term capacity planning
Ensure robust SQL Server security, including authentication, authorization, role-based access controls, permission modeling, encryption, auditing, and compliance with university policies
Implement least-privilege principles and actively review security posture across all environments
Support operational workflows through scripting and automation, preferably using PowerShell, to streamline routine tasks, improve consistency, and strengthen reliability across environments
Lead and empower the university through advanced data architecture and database support
Formulate enterprise-level data schemas to directly meet the needs of high priority endeavors
Envision and map how the organization’s data should be structured to serve both current operations and future needs
Understand the institution’s objectives, processes, and the information flows that support them
Build logical representations that describe entities, relationships, and rules in a way that makes sense to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, creating a shared blueprint for how data will live and move within the institution
As Technologies for data management advance and evolve, recommend policies and procedures that apply accordingly, or that adhere to Minnesota State and/or industry best practices as they emerge
Act as a business analyst by translating conceptual ideas, user needs, institutional goals into fully functional systems that support WSU’s business objectives
Create systems that integrate cleanly with WSU applications and workflows, ensuring that the final implementation is technically sound and business ready
Develop and implement comprehensive backup and recovery strategies to safeguard the organization’s data against loss, corruption, or disaster
Maintain a recovery strategy that is clear, well-documented, regularly tested, and aligned with the institution’s tolerance for downtime and data loss
Ensure databases remain a stable and reliable foundation even in times of unexpected disruption
Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner
Qualification
Required
This position requires a minimum of four (4) years of experience in Microsoft SQL administration in an environment with multiple SQL Servers. Experience must include: (1) Managing SQL Server 2016+ utilizing IT industry best practices and security standards; (2) SQL Server Troubleshooting; (3) SQL Programming; (4) T-SQL stored procedure development; (5) Demonstrated experience with database backup/recovery strategies, high availability solutions, and disaster recovery planning; (6) Utilizing scripting tools for automation and system administration tasks; (7) Demonstrated skills with critical and strategic thinking, planning, project management, and problem-solving; (8) Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a manner that facilitates mutual understanding
Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise data schemas, including the ability to understand, document, and apply standardized data models across multiple systems and platforms
Education in Information Technology (IT) or an IT related field may substitute for experience as follows: a master's degree for eighteen (18) months of experience; a bachelor's degree for one (1) year; and an associate's degree for six (6) months
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field
Experience developing and maintaining reports using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)
Experience with SQL performance tuning and monitoring software
Experience with Azure distributed cloud computing
Experience applying modern data security principles within enterprise data architectures, including least-privilege access, defense-in-depth, and secure data lifecycle management
Experience with MS SQL Server Database Replication and Service Broker
Experience with source control toolsets
Knowledge of data integration and data lake enablement tools (e.g., Boomi AtomSphere) and modern data fabric platforms (e.g., Microsoft Fabric, Denodo, Informatica, IBM Data Fabric)
Demonstrated ability to apply governance, metadata management, and data virtualization practices across systems
Benefits
11 paid Holidays
Vacation Time
Sick Time
Six weeks of Paid Parental Leave
Low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500)
A Pension Plan
457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options
Pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts
Employer paid life insurance
Short and long term disability
Professional development
A tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents
Company
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Minnesota State is the third largest system of state colleges and universities in the nation with 26 colleges, 7 universities, and 54 campuses.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Amy Jo Ebert, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Amy Jorgenson, CPA
Chief Audit Officer
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