Database Administrator

Also called: Automatic Data Processing Planner (ADP Planner), Data Administrator, Data Center Technician, Data Management Associate, Data Management Information Technology Specialist (Data Management IT Specialist)

Database Administrator

Varies

estimated salary

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

  • 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 standards and guidelines to guide the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.
  • Review procedures in database management system manuals for making changes to database.
  • Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.
  • 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.
  • Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.
  • Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
  • Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.
  • Test changes to database applications or systems.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 95% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 67% responded "Extremely important".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 56% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Contact With Others — 56% responded "Contact with others most of the time".
  • Telephone — 59% responded "Once a week or more but not every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 54% responded "Once a week or more but not every day".
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Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
  • Create databases to store electronic data.
  • Update computer database information.
  • Assess database performance.
  • Modify software programs to improve performance.
  • Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
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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.

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.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making
  • Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Abilities

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.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Sales and marketing software
  • Marketo Marketing Automation Hot Technology
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Informatica Corporation PowerCenter Hot Technology
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Financials Hot Technology
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Hot Technology
  • Oracle Hyperion Hot Technology
  • Oracle Fusion Applications Hot Technology
  • NetSuite ERP Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Dynamics Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP Hot Technology
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Hot Technology
  • Ellucian Banner ERP Hot Technology
  • Ab Initio Hot Technology
  • SAP Hot Technology
  • SAP Business Objects Hot Technology
Human resources software
  • Oracle Taleo Hot Technology
  • Oracle Learning Management
  • Human resource management software HRMS
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