Principal SQL Server Database Administrator
Location:
Tempe, AZ, US
Date: May 29, 2025
Requisition ID : 18835
Join us in building a better future for Arizona!
SRP is one of the largest public power and water utilities in the U.S. providing electricity to approximately one million customers in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area. Since its founding in 1903, SRP has fostered a culture of stewardship and customer service consistently ranking as an industry leader in customer service according to J.D. Power and named one of Arizona's best employers by Forbes. SRP continues to adapt to its changing business environment by seeking innovative ways to reimagine utility service and the provision of critical resources essential to the life and economy of Arizona.
Why Work at SRP
At SRP, we foster an inclusive work environment and believe everyone should have a fair chance to work, regardless of who they are. That's why we value teams with diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to help SRP deliver on its mission of providing reliable, affordable and sustainable water and power.
SRP's success is rooted in our employees' happiness, health, and safety. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and enhance their well-being. In addition to competitive pay and performance incentives, eligible employees can take advantage of the following benefits:
Pension Plan (at no cost to the employee)
401(k) plan with employer matching
Available your first day: Medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
Over 200+ hours of PTO (includes vacation days, holidays, floating holidays, and sick leave)
Parental leave (up to 4 weeks) and adoption assistance
Wellness programs (including access to a recreation and fitness facility)
Short and long-term disability plans
Tuition assistance for both undergraduate and graduate programs
10 Employee Resource Groups for career development, community service, and networking
Summary
This position is responsible for providing discipline leadership as it pertains to the support, management, security, and monitoring of the organization's SQL Server environments consisting of over 350 on premise SQL Servers on Windows OS. May involve multiple platforms and computing environments (Linux, Azure, OpenShift containers, etc.) as needed in the future. Perform as a consultant to junior staff and point of escalation for technical issues. Develops enterprise database configuration and security standards and acts as a project leader on large or complex projects. As a member of the SQL Server team, we will rely on you to design and configure high availability environments, perform troubleshooting and performance analysis, test new database features, provide recommendations on future state architecture and automation opportunities and apply new versions, releases, and patches as necessary.
What You'll Do
Provide technical leadership pertaining to the support and monitoring of MS SQL Server database environments including defining database architecture best practices and standards, and recommending process and technical improvements
Train and coach junior resources on technical concepts
Provide recommendations on appropriate SQL database features to leverage to support business requirements (e.g. analytics, reporting, integration services).
Evaluate new tools, features or database platforms to improve service
Lead large or complex projects involving new technology
Collaborate with application and infrastructure teams in the resolution of complex and cross functional technical and performance issues
Utilize scripting (e.g. Powershell, T-SQL, SQL Server Agent Jobs) to automate tasks/ reporting that improve the efficiency of the team, management of the environment or ability to serve customers
Design and configure new database servers/ environments for critical applications to meet business requirements, including high availability, recovery point objective (RPO) and performance
Design and manage robust backup strategies, including point-in-time recovery and testing disaster recovery plans
Perform SQL Server performance analysis including reviewing query plans, index usage, and T-SQL code reviews, leveraging tools such as SQL Profiler, Extended Events, and Database Tuning Advisor
Perform SQL Server software installations, patching and upgrades
Install and support SQL Server BI components including SSIS, SSRS and SSAS
Maintain configuration information for the enterprise SQL Server environment, including details for server, storage, software versions, criticality, confidentiality, licensing, capacity, and ownership
Provide scheduled rotational after hours on-call support
What It Takes To Succeed
Deep knowledge of various SQL Server versions (e.g., 2017, 2019, 2022), including features and limitations as well as performance tuning and optimization
Ability to plan and manage database related projects
Ability to clearly explain complex database concepts to non-technical stakeholders and document procedures
Ability to be a recognized advisor in areas of speciality
Ability to think out of the box to solve complex problems for customers and create operational efficiencies within the DBA team
Ability to do in-depth root cause analysis on issues, including collaboration with other application/ infrastructure teams and identify recommendations for improvement
Preferred skills
Experience with VLDBs (very large databases > 1TB)
Use of PowerShell DSC for automating SQL Server installations and configuration
Experience with Visual Studio for the creation and maintenance of SSRS reports and SSIS packages
Experience with dbaTools
Working knowledge of DDL, DML, TSQL, stored procedures, triggers, views, constraints, cursors
Knowledge of schema design, normalization, indexing strategies, partitioning, and data modeling
Familiarity with Cohesity backup technology
Experience with Redgate Monitor or similar database monitoring tool
Experience with Microsoft Azure SQL Database
Experience
A minimum of 10 years of related experience is required (if no degree, 14 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience totaling 14 years).
A minimum of ten years experience as a SQL Server DBA is required
Education
A bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution is required and a master's degree in the area of specialty is preferred.
Hybrid Workplace
SRP currently offers a hybrid workplace, which allows employees whose jobs can be performed remotely, and who have sufficient technical capability, to telework up to three days per week. Although teleworking is available, all employees must live and work in Arizona.
Drug/Alcohol Policy Statement
To promote the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and the communities we serve, SRP is committed to maintaining a drug/alcohol free work environment. Although marijuana may now be legal in Arizona, except as otherwise specified under Arizona law, SRP considers it to be an illegal drug for the purpose of our drug/alcohol policy because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Any candidate found to be impaired during the hiring process or who has the presence of an illegal drug or unauthorized substance in their system during the pre-employment drug/alcohol test may be disqualified from further consideration in the hiring process.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Salt River Project (SRP) is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state or local law.
Work Authorization
All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Currently, SRP does not sponsor H1B visas, OPT, or other employment-related visa's.
Nearest Major Market: Phoenix