Senior database administrators work as team leaders with computer engineering teams in order to create database architecture to accomplish the necessary goals of specialized computer software. Senior database administrators have very clear educational goals: they need a bachelor's degree in computer science or in similar fields. They will also need certification for database administration from an accredited board, such as Oracle. It is possible to forgo acquiring a bachelor's degree, but senior database administrators will require several years of work in similar areas as well as extensive self-education on database administration.
Senior database administrators need to know several programming languages in order to accomplish their goals. They will also need strong communication skills in order to delegate work goals and facilitate the creation and implementation of databases.
Senior database administrators oversee the maintenance, configuration, and implementation of everything that has to do with databases. This includes the replication, backup, storage, access and partitioning of databases. Smooth and efficient installations, configurations, troubleshooting, and maintenance of database systems also fall onto the senior database administrator. When they are not installing or maintaining new database systems, senior database administrators must monitor and optimize their current systems to ensure quality system performance. They do this by utilizing index tuning, disk optimization, and various other methods that are appropriate. Within the confines of the database, senior database administrators must also determine who should have what permissions and privileges within the system to define who can access and control what information.
Senior Database Administrator (DBA) Tasks
- Monitor and optimize system performance using index tuning, disk optimization, and other methods.
- Install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain a database system.
- Implement, configure, and troubleshoot database instances, replication, backup, partitions, storage, and access.
- Set user privileges within the database environment.