Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide specialized technical expertise in large-scale database administration to lead the design, implementation and maintenance of databases to support the delivery of services from the ministry of Education and the ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. To act as technical expert and assume lead responsibility for the provision of database setup, configuration, administration, backup and restore, database availability, performance monitoring and tuning, and technical support.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Position functions within the Community services Cluster in support of major databases to support the delivery and monitoring of program and services within MEDU and MTCU. In that context, the position: 1. Acts as lead senior database administrator/technical expert with respect to the design, implementation and maintenance of databases to support ministry business initiatives. Leads the setup, configuration, backup/restore, database availability, performance monitoring, tuning, and technical support. 2. Assumes lead responsibility to complete/maintain the logical and physical design for multiple ministry databases. Designs and develops new queries to load and retrieve data. Leads the measurement and optimization of specific processes. Designs new tables to accommodate unique data requirements. 3. As a technical expert in the field of advanced database technology, provides specialized expertise in all areas of existing database design and administration, including the data planning process, and in the identification and design of database structures. Implements major database modifications utilizing proven database techniques. Identifies solutions to resolve major problems with respect to the development of a large and technically complex system. Maintains integrity of data in the ongoing maintenance of existing ministry databases. 4. Implements, monitors and supports the planning and development of SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle), testing activities including among Others Unit Test, Integration Test and User Acceptance Test (UAT). Defines, modifies and prioritizes test criteria and requirements to minimize risk. Designs test scripts. Executes and monitors testing. 5. Determines needs for fine-tuning based on the ongoing monitoring of existing Ministry application databases. Reviews recommendations made by staff and makes independent decisions for database enhancements or reorganization to facilitate growth of data elements and entities. 6. Provides expert consulting and advice to management and clients with respect to the design of database structures, requirements for reorganization purging and the implementation of modifications, development options/alternatives and recommendations, database capabilities, anticipated Impact on program/service delivery, etc. Presents and explains technical Issues, identifies new IT products, provides/recommends solutions to achieve efficiencies in the delivery of programs/services (e.g. establishment/maintenance of tools, techniques, standards, documentation and performance criteria required for cost effective use Of new database products, data modeling and database development tools and database design alternatives). 7. Leads/coordinates the development, selection, application, maintenance and enhancement of policies, standards, procedures and guidelines for management and use of Ministry data. This includes the evaluation and recommendations of technical design features and alternatives to ensure proper procedures for back-up, recovery, security and control of Ministry application databases. Identifies components subject to data corruption and initiates projects to improve integrity of data. 8. Leads corporate application database projects for building and maintaining corporate data through the provision of leadership and technical direction to database technicians involved in the design, development and implementation of application databases and to support and maintain the database environment. Participates in the development of general design specifications, prepares reports, estimates, feasibility studies, RFPs, implementation schedules, recommendations, etc. Monitors and reviews database development and ensures efficiency, performance and integrity. Oversees and provides technical support throughout the testing and implementation process. 9. Acts as liaison, develops, fosters and manages effective relationships, expectations and communications with clients, vendors, suppliers, team members, and Ministry/OPS inter-disciplinary colleagues at all stages of the project Works in conjunction with other systems specialists with the testing and integration of existing Ministry application databases. 10. Makes significant contributions to the Ministry information technology strategic plan to facilitate the development and implementation Of the Ministry's IT strategic direction and objectives. Ensures that all plans maintain the strategic integrity and meet the performance requirements of the corporate I&IT business needs. 11. Facilitates cooperative approaches to projects deliverables. Provides consulting expertise, manages issues and concerns, investigates and resolves problems. Leads and provides technical training for staff and line management. Represents the unit on I&IT inter/Intra-ministerial committees/task forces/projects. 12. The Manager may have the right to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

n/a

Knowledge :

Knowledge of information engineering methodologies, tools, techniques, and database management systems design, data management/information architecture theory and principles, data modeling and warehousing concepts and practices, to: provide project management and team leadership in the design and development of large-scale data management structures/databases for multiple purposes and for multi-client use. Proven expertise in implementing RDBMS solutions including Internet based applications, Relational Database Design, Oracle Tools, logical and physical data modeling expertise, using data modeling tools Such as Erwin; Unit, Integration and User Acceptance Testing (UAT);web-based application development. Knowledge of large-scale database administration (including data planning, database structures design) to resolve major problems with respect to the development of abroad and technically complex system. Demonstrated data management technical skills to design, maintain and implement a large/complex data base management system, and to provide specialist technical expertise to management and stakeholders. Full competence in systems analysis and design methods and techniques as applicable to all phases of project development. Knowledge of database applications utilizing state of the art advances in database technology and techniques to provide technical advice in optimizing the use of current technology and facilities, and to develop technical standards and procedures to ensure systems security and control. Knowledge of government and ministry information technology policies, directives and guidelines, and ministry IT plans and strategies to facilitate large-scale corporate IT goals and plans. Extensive knowledge of implementing High Availability Architecture based solutions e.g. Real Application Cluster (RAC), stand-by servers, Data Guard etc. in Windows environment.

Skills :

Analytical, interpretive, reasoning, planning and. problem-solving skills to: design and develop new queries; design new tables to accommodate unique data requirements; identify/design database structures; define/modify/prioritize test criteria and requirements; design test scripts; analyze data management issues, concerns, initiatives, and to coordinate the analysis and definition of client requirements, including short and long term business goals and objectives. Evaluative skills to: lead project staff in application database design, development, implementation and maintenance; lead the development, selection, application, maintenance and enhancement of policies, standards, procedures and guidelines for the use of Ministry data (e.g. evaluation/recommendations of technical design features/alternatives to ensure proper procedures for back-up, recovery, security and control of application databases). Position leads the review of systems performance issues and data origination in relation to Ministry business strategies and operational requirements. Position evaluates alternatives and considers business needs, consolidates work of team on all aspects of feasibility studies, and guides the development of recommendations on appPosition conceptualizes approaches to addressing new business requirements and coordinates complex data management analysis and design. Position assesses and evaluates new methods, technologies and techniques for potential Ministry use and impact of changes within application databases and makes recommendations on same. Problem-solving skills to implement major application database modifications; perform sophisticated trouble shooting functions; identify solutions with respect to the development of a large and technically complex system. Leadership skills to ensure technical guidance/leadership on all plans and schedules of activities. Planning, coordination and project management skills to plan/coordinate all technical activities related to databases and strategies; establish project objectives, the development of project plans, and the determination of timing/schedule for various components; provide technical support throughout the testing and implementation process; etc. Written/oral communication, consulting and interpersonal skills, to: prepare project reports on the analysis of costs & benefits, impact on client's service delivery and achievement of business goals, and the acquisition of IT products & services; prepare database management policies and standards; discuss/confirm client requirements; lead discussions of IT development options/recommendations with clients and technical processes among project team; make a variety of technical analysis, limitations and considerations clear in non-technical terms while also communicating advantages and disadvantages of various options and their impact on client's program/service delivery; present/explain/illustrate alternate solutions to client's systems development requirements; negotiate support for recommended approach by outlining analysis of costs/benefits, impact on service delivery and achievement of business goals. roach, efficiency and flexibility of costs, time constraints and future development considerations.

Freedom of Action :

Position works within government/Ministry and Cluster directives, guidelines and policies, and within recognized systems and database management techniques and practices. Position exercises latitude in decision-making through: developing guidelines, technical standards and procedures for the administration of a province-wide database system (e.g. database security and control); controlling access and changes to physical data; designing, developing and implementing a database for Ministry applications. Position makes ongoing decisions with respect to database setup, configuration, backup and restore, database availability, performance monitoring and tuning. The position makes independent decisions for database enhancements or reorganizations to facilitate growth of date elements and entities. Position makes decisions through the provision of leadership throughout the design, development, implementation and maintenance of large-scale and province-wide application databases. Position provides leadership and recommendations on the use of new practices and methodologies, relevant IT approaches for projects, etc. Overall progress of project work is monitored by supervisor at critical stages only and for compliance with the Ministry policy and objectives (e.g. work related to proposals for data management strategies and data management component of the Ministry IT plan; work related to projects and corporate data models within the context of the Ministry IT strategies to facilitate the achievement of the Ministry IT plan and data management objectives), Position refers to the Manager problems/issues such as changes in business requirements, new advances in technology that may be exploited by the Ministry, significant changes to project timing and direction.