Senior Database Administrator,
Information Technology
About NERC
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is the international regulatory authority dedicated to reducing risks to the reliability and security of the North American bulk power system. NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards; conducts seasonal and long-term reliability assessments; monitors the grid through system awareness; and educates, trains, and certifies industry personnel. Our jurisdiction spans the continental United States, Canada, and northern Baja California, serving nearly 400 million people. NERC operates as the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) under oversight from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Canadian provincial authorities.
Our Mission
The ERO Enterprise—NERC and the six Regional Entities—works collectively to ensure a highly reliable and secure bulk power system. Our mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid.
Your Impact
As a Senior Data Administrator, you will be responsible for the database administration function in support of mission-critical systems. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and compliance of database platforms that support bulk electric system operations and related business functions.
As a key member of the Data Architecture and AI team, reporting to the Director of Data Architecture and AI, you will ensure best practices in database configurations, access, disaster recovery as well as performance of queries. You will partner with business and technology units in maintenance, support and strategy around our databases.
Your Role
This role will set best practices, influence architecture and standards used to manage databases. This is a hands-on role with operational support duties as well as project duties as the organization matures in its use of data for business-critical decisions.
This position reports to the Director of Data Architecture and AI.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Design, implement, and maintain highly available and scalable SQL Server database systems
· Monitor database performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement tuning and optimization strategies
· Manage database security, including access controls, encryption, and compliance with organizational policies. This includes table-level, column/field-level and row-level security controls.
· Assure adherence to ACID principles for transactional integrity, consistency and resilience.
· Perform backup, recovery, and disaster recovery planning and execution
· Automate routine database administration tasks and deployments
· Use and enhance monitoring of Redgate tools (e.g., SQL Toolbelt, SQL Compare, SQL Monitor) for performance, version control, and release management
· Collaborate with development teams to design efficient database schemas, queries, and indexing strategies
· Establish and enforce database standards, governance, and best practices
· Troubleshoot and resolve database-related issues in a timely manner
· Support data migration, upgrades, and patching activities
· Document database environments, processes, and procedures
Required Qualifications
The successful candidate will have::computer science or related technical degree
· Advanced degree in computer science or related technical degree
· 7+ years of experience as a Database Administrator, with a strong focus on Microsoft SQL Server
· Deep expertise in SQL Server architecture, performance tuning, indexing, and query optimization
· Hands-on experience with Redgate tools or similar monitoring and control tools
· Strong knowledge of high availability and disaster recovery solutions (e.g., Always On Availability Groups, clustering, replication)
· Experience with backup/recovery strategies and performance monitoring tools
· Solid understanding of database security best practices
· Highly skilled in T-SQL scripting and automation including best practices and techniques to avoid duplication of knowledge in queries
· Experience working in a mid-size or enterprise environment
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience with cloud-based database platforms (e.g., Azure SQL, AWS RDS)
· Familiarity with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines for database deployments
· Microsoft SQL Server certifications (e.g., Azure Database Administrator Associate)
· Exposure to other database platforms (NoSQL, PostgreSQL, etc.) is a plus
Key Competencies
· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
· Attention to detail and commitment to data integrity
· Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
· Excellent communication and collaboration skills
· Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
Other
· Background check will be conducted
· In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire
· Minimal travel necessary: Passport required for North American (Canada) travel
· Required participation in 24×7 on-call rotation.