Senior Database Administrator

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Senior Database Administrator

Job Profile Title

Database Administrator Senior

Job Description Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator (DBA) to lead the administration, optimization, and ongoing support of our SQL Server databases, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), and Snowflake cloud data environment. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in healthcare and/or higher education data environments, with demonstrated expertise in database performance tuning, reporting, and data management. This role will also support research and data science initiatives by ensuring the availability, quality, and integrity of datasets used in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), including data cleansing, transformation, and preparation for machine learning and deep learning applications.

The Senior DBA will collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders, including IT support staff, researchers, data scientists, information security professionals, application development teams, financial staff, and institutional leadership, to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient access to data across the organization.

As part of the Penn Vet community, this position supports the technology and data needs of faculty, staff, and students across a dynamic academic and clinical environment, including classrooms, veterinary hospital facilities, and research laboratories. The successful candidate must be comfortable working in an environment where animals are present.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the administration, maintenance, optimization, and ongoing support of SQL Server databases, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), and the Snowflake cloud data environment.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize database performance, ensuring high availability, reliability, and scalability of enterprise data systems.
• Develop, maintain, and support reporting solutions and data management processes to meet organizational and operational needs.
• Ensure the availability, quality, integrity, and security of institutional data across database and reporting platforms.
• Support research, analytics, and data science initiatives by managing datasets used for artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) projects.
• Perform data cleansing, transformation, validation, and preparation activities to support machine learning and deep learning applications.
• Implement and maintain data management best practices, standards, and governance procedures.
• Collaborate with researchers, data scientists, and technical teams to identify data requirements and deliver reliable data solutions.
• Partner with information security professionals to ensure data protection, compliance, and secure access to institutional information.
• Work closely with application development teams to support database integration, application functionality, and system performance.
• Provide technical support and consultation to IT staff, financial teams, researchers, faculty, and institutional leadership regarding database and reporting solutions.
• Develop and maintain database documentation, processes, procedures, and operational standards.
• Ensure reliable, secure, and efficient access to data for stakeholders across the organization.
• Support the technology and data needs of faculty, staff, and students within academic, clinical, and research environments.
• Provide database and reporting support for classrooms, veterinary hospital facilities, research laboratories, and other organizational operations.
• Participate in strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts related to database administration, reporting, analytics, and data architecture.
• Work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders to deliver data-driven solutions and support institutional objectives.
• Perform duties in an environment that includes classrooms, research facilities, clinical settings, and areas where animals may be present.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field experience (Master’s preferred). 3 - 5 years of experience in database administration, engineering, or related technical roles.
• Certifications: SQL Server certification or equivalent is strongly preferred.

Skills:

• Strong expertise with Microsoft SQL Server (administration, optimization, indexing, replication, clustering).
• Hands-on experience managing and optimizing Snowflake or similar cloud data platforms.
• Proven experience in healthcare and/or university data environments.
• Demonstrated skills in report development and SQL-based data extraction.
• Experience preparing datasets for AI, machine learning, and deep learning, including data cleansing and transformation.
• Familiarity with HIPAA, FERPA, data privacy, and security best practices.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with monitoring tools, backup systems, and ITSM platforms.
• Strong verbal & written communication skills, collaboration skills, and ability to work under minimal supervision within the context of their job responsibilities required.
• Vendor management experience.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align projects and programs with the strategic goals and vision.
• Adaptability: Flexibility in managing changing priorities and unforeseen challenges in a dynamic environment.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders at all levels.
• Detail-Oriented: Keen attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

About the School of Veterinary Medicine:

Our mission at Penn Vet is to train the next generation of veterinary leaders to advance healthcare outcomes and access, ensure global health, bolster sustainable agriculture, create and support interdisciplinary career paths, and foster community and wellness in the profession.

Our Vision — A world with exceptional and vastly more integrated health of animals, people, and the environment.

Our Values — Leadership, collaboration, interdisciplinarity, opportunity, sustainability.

Penn Vet has two campuses, one urban and one rural, where students can gain comprehensive knowledge in veterinary medicine. From the tiniest exotic animals to larger ones such as horses, cattle, swine, and camelids, students can learn about a wide range of species. The two hospitals are famous worldwide for their large caseloads and are known for providing veterinary care to various animals, including companion, sport, agriculture, avian, and exotic animals.

To learn more, visit us at: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/about/

Department / School

School of Veterinary Medicine

Pay Range

$84,961.00 - $110,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay