Database Administrators - 15-1141.00

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

Sample of reported job titles: Data Architect, Database Administration Manager, Database Administrator (DBA), Database Analyst, Database Coordinator, Database Developer, Database Programmer, Information Systems Manager, Management Information Systems Director (MIS Director), System Administrator

Tasks

• Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
• Plan, coordinate and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
• Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
• Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
• Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions.
• Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs.
• Develop standards and guidelines to guide the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.
• Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development and determine project scope and limitations.
• Review procedures in database management system manuals for making changes to database.
• Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.
• Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.
• Train users and answer questions.
• Review workflow charts developed by programmer analyst to understand tasks computer will perform, such as updating records.
• Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.
• Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.
• Develop data model describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template or computer software.
• Select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production database.
• Establish and calculate optimum values for database parameters, using manuals and calculator.

Technology Skills

• Access software - Access management software; Citrix
• Accounting software - Fund accounting software
• Administration software - Redgate SQL Server; SolarWinds
• Analytical or scientific software - SAS ; StataCorp Stata ; Test data generator software; The MathWorks MATLAB (see all 7 examples)
• Application server software - Docker ; GitHub ; Oracle WebLogic Server ; Red Hat WildFly
• Backup or archival software - Acronis Recovery Expert; EMC NetWorker; Systems and data disaster recovery software; VERITAS NetBackup (see all 10 examples)
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - IBM Cognos Impromptu ; Micosoft SQL Server Analysis Services SSAS; MicroStrategy ; Tableau (see all 6 examples)
• Clustering software - Cluster server software; Oracle Real Application Cluster RAC
• Communications server software - IBM Domino
• Computer aided design CAD software - Dassault Systemes CATIA
• Computer based training software
• Configuration management software - Chef ; Deployment software; Perforce Helix software ; Puppet (see all 6 examples)
• Content workflow software - Atlassian JIRA
• Customer relationship management CRM software - Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge ; Oracle Eloqua ; Salesforce software
• Data base management system software - Apache Cassandra ; MongoDB ; Oracle PL/SQL ; Teradata Database (see all 37 examples)
• Data base reporting software - ASG Technologies ASG-Zeke; Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services ; Oracle SQL Plus; SAP Crystal Reports (see all 7 examples)
• Data base user interface and query software - Apache Hive ; Microsoft Access ; Oracle JDBC ; Structured query language SQL (see all 12 examples)
• Data mining software - Google Analytics
• Desktop publishing software - Microsoft Publisher
• Development environment software - Apache Maven ; C ; Eclipse IDE ; Microsoft PowerShell (see all 16 examples)
• Electronic mail software - IBM Notes ; Microsoft Exchange Server ; Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise application integration software - Atlassian Bamboo ; Extensible markup language XML ; IBM InfoSphere DataStage ; Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services SSIS (see all 6 examples)
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Microsoft Dynamics ; NetSuite ERP ; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne ; SAP (see all 13 examples)
• Enterprise system management software - IBM Power Systems software ; Splunk Enterprise
• Expert system software - Ansible software ; Apache Mahout
• File versioning software - Apache Subversion SVN ; Git
• Financial analysis software - Delphi Technology ; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Systems Adobe Flash; Microsoft Visio
• Human resources software - Human resource management software HRMS ; Oracle Learning Management; Oracle Taleo
• Industrial control software - Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
• Information retrieval or search software - Data validation software; LexisNexis
• Manufacturing execution system MES software - CA Easytrieve Report Generator
• Map creation software - ESRI ArcGIS software ; Geographic information system GIS software
• Medical software - Epic Systems
• Metadata management software - CA Erwin Data Modeler ; IBM Rational Data Architect; Pentaho Kettle; Visual Paradigm DB Visual ARCHITECT (see all 7 examples)
• Network monitoring software - Nagios ; Wireshark ; Zabbix
• Network security and virtual private network VPN equipment software - Virtual private networking VPN software
• Network security or virtual private network VPN management software - Database security software
• Object or component oriented development software - Apache Groovy ; jQuery ; Python ; Scala (see all 15 examples)
• Object oriented data base management software - Hibernate ORM ; Object database management system ODBMS; PostgreSQL ; Transact-SQL (see all 5 examples)
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Operating system software - Job control language JCL ; Linux ; Shell script ; Ubuntu (see all 13 examples)
• Portal server software - Apache HTTP Server
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Program testing software - Computer Associates Log Analyzer; Database testing software; Hewlett Packard LoadRunner ; JUnit
• Project management software - Confluence ; Microsoft Project ; Microsoft SharePoint ; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
• Requirements analysis and system architecture software - Database capacity planning software; Unified modeling language UML
• Sales and marketing software - Marketo Marketing Automation
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Storage networking software - Storage area network SAN software
• Transaction security and virus protection software - Encryption software; McAfee ; Symantec
• Transaction server software - Customer information control system CICS
• Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
• Web platform development software - Apache Struts ; Drupal ; Ruby on Rails ; Spring Framework (see all 25 examples)
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Desktop computers
• Hard disk arrays - Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
• Hard disk drives
• Mainframe computers
• Notebook computers
• Tape arrays - Tape libraries

Knowledge

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Skills

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Interests

• Interest code: CI
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Context

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 95% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Sitting
• Work With Work Group or Team - 66% responded “Extremely important.”
• Contact With Others
• Telephone
• Face-to-Face Discussions
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 24% responded “Very important.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 18% responded “Very important.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 68% responded “40 hours.”
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
• Freedom to Make Decisions
• Structured versus Unstructured Work
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - 26% responded “Never.”
• Time Pressure - 37% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Consequence of Error - 31% responded “Very serious.”
• Level of Competition - 34% responded “Moderately competitive.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 40% responded “Extremely important.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 16% responded “No results.”
• Physical Proximity - 69% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 24% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
77%	Bachelor's degree
11%	Professional degree
7%	Associate's degree

Work Styles

• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $41.84 hourly, $87,020 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 120,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Faster than average (10% to 14%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 9,300