Database Administrator

Job Overview

Job Category

Business and Operations Support

Sectors

Education

Environment

Office only

About This Career

At a glance, a Database Administrator is focused on three things throughout their day: protecting the data, protecting the data, and protecting the data. With the growing reliance on computers and database systems, businesses need these professionals to keep their electronic data safe, secure and well-managed.

Databases are used throughout the oil and gas industry to store, track and organize information for thousands of employees daily. Database administration refers to the whole set of activities performed to ensure that a database, and the information it contains, is always available as needed by the business.

Database Administrators (DBA) use specialized software to store and organize electronic data. They handle the day-to-day operation of database management systems such as SAP, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle SQL. Additionally, they are often responsible for developing and introducing related policies and standards for employee use of these databases.

DBAs may work in teams within large companies or be the sole expert in a smaller company. They understand database languages, the most common of which is Structured Query Language (SQL), which is used in programming and managing data held in relational database management systems.

In this occupation activities may include:

Researching and documenting data requirements, data collection and administration policy, data access rules and security.
Specifying users and user access levels for each segment of the databases.
Monitoring and modifying existing databases and database management systems, or directing programmers and analysts to make changes, to customize for specific company needs.
Developing and implementing data administration policy, standards and models.
Approving, scheduling, planning, and supervising the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.

Education

A bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field is typically required.
Computer programming experience may be required.

Certifications

Some employers require applicants to become trained or certified for a specific type of network environment such as:
SAP HANA
Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle SQL
IBM Db2
There may be a preference for certification/ experience with PL/SQL, Java, SSRS, Python, C++, etc.

Licensing

The title Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act. An IT practitioner does not have to be registered if they do not refer to themselves as an Information Systems Professional.

Additional Requirements

Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements

Database Administrators need analytical thinking skills to organize large amounts of data into a meaningful pattern that’s easily used. They often work on teams, so they need strong communications and interpersonal skills as well. From a technical viewpoint, they understand database languages, the most common of which is Structured Query Language (SQL), which is used in programming and managing data.