MS SQL Database Administrator

We are looking for a skilled Microsoft SQL Database Administrator to support enterprise database operations in West Des Moines, Iowa. This long-term contract position focuses on maintaining secure, stable, and high-performing database platforms within a regulated insurance environment. The role works closely with application, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data teams to strengthen reliability, protect data integrity, and improve day-to-day database operations.

Responsibilities:
• Administer and support enterprise database platforms by handling installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance activities.
• Monitor database availability, system health, and performance trends to help ensure dependable production operations.
• Investigate operational issues, identify root causes, and restore database services with minimal disruption.
• Optimize queries, configurations, and resource usage to improve overall database efficiency and responsiveness.
• Establish and manage backup, restore, and recovery procedures to protect business-critical data.
• Maintain high-availability and disaster recovery capabilities to support resilience and business continuity objectives.
• Manage database access by maintaining security settings, permissions, and user provisioning in accordance with governance standards.
• Perform upgrades, patching, and routine maintenance while reducing operational risk across environments.
• Automate recurring administrative tasks using scripting and standardized processes to improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with technical teams on database migrations, environment refreshes, capacity planning, and operational documentation.• 7+ years of database administration experience within enterprise technology environments.
• Hands-on experience supporting Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and other relational or NoSQL database platforms.
• Strong knowledge of backup and recovery strategies, high availability configurations, and disaster recovery planning.
• Proven ability to monitor and improve database performance through tuning, diagnostics, and optimization techniques.
• Experience managing database security, user access controls, and permission structures.
• Proficiency with automation or scripting tools such as PowerShell, T-SQL, or similar technologies.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure services, including compute, storage, monitoring, and backup capabilities.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, ideally within insurance or other regulated industries.