Azure SQL Database Administrator

Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Azure SQL Database Administrator. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $127,332 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Arrangements

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.

Premium Benefits

Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits

15 paid holidays a year

Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)

Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

More details here: Comprehensive Benefits Package

Classification

Database Administrator III

Compensation Notice

CSU Classification Salary Range: $87,408 - $127,332 per year (Step 1 - Step 20); Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience. Step placement upon appointment is not expected to exceed Step 20 ($127,332 per year). Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to contract negotiations.

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking an Azure SQL Database Administrator to provide secure, reliable, and efficient Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance environments that support the Chancellor’s Office (CO) applications and business operations. Working independently under general supervision, the position supports developers and application support teams, ensures database performance and availability, and maintains compliance with CSU standards and policies.

This position is approved for telecommuting (two days telecommuting, three days in office (in-person)) with onsite work at the main headquarters located in Long Beach, California.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Productivity Services, the Azure SQL Database Administrator will perform duties as outlined below:

The Azure SQL Database Administrator provides support for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance environments at the Chancellor’s Office (CO). Duties include:

-Plan and execute migrations from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, including compatibility assessments, testing, cutover, and post-migration validation.

-Provision, configure, and administer Azure SQL databases and managed instances to meet application and business requirements.

-Design, implement, and maintain database schemas and objects in Azure SQL environments while ensuring compatibility with dependent applications.

-Manage database changes and deployments across Azure SQL development, test, and production environments.

-Analyze and tune queries, indexes, and database configurations to improve application and reporting performance.

-Configure and maintain secure database access using Microsoft Entra ID authentication, database roles, permissions, auditing, and encryption.

-Coordinate with infrastructure and networking teams to configure and troubleshoot Azure SQL connectivity, including virtual networks, private endpoints, firewall rules, and DNS.

-Configure monitoring, alerts, and diagnostic logging using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and database monitoring tools.

-Proactively monitor Azure SQL health, availability, performance, and capacity; investigate and resolve failures, slowdowns, and connectivity issues.

-Manage compute, storage, service tiers, and scaling to meet workload requirements and optimize Azure SQL costs.

-Configure backup retention, perform database restores, and validate point-in-time recovery capabilities.

-Implement, document, and test high-availability and disaster recovery configurations for Azure SQL environments in alignment with business continuity requirements.

-Automate Azure SQL provisioning, configuration, maintenance, and deployment activities using PowerShell, Azure CLI, and other approved tools.

-Support application development, reporting, and data integrations that connect to Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, including development testing and user acceptance testing.

-Provide on-call support for Azure SQL incidents, including evenings and weekends as required, and coordinate resolution with application teams and Microsoft support.

-Maintain Azure SQL operational documentation, configuration standards, migration plans, and recovery procedures.

-Evaluate Azure SQL service changes and recommend improvements to security, reliability, performance, automation, and operational efficiency.

This position will also assist with special projects as needed, including determining requirements, selecting and implementing new tools and technologies, and designing and developing customer training and solutions.

Application development responsibilities include:

-Meeting with stakeholders to identify business solutions needs.

-Assist in developing solutions and integrations and participate/assist in user acceptance testing.

-Assist in solution delivery and documentation.

-Leads and innovates processes, process automation, and documentation with an emphasis on increasing efficiency and effectiveness of database setup and configuration, processes, and workflows, including APIs, using tools such as Boomi, N8N, and ServiceNow.

The Azure SQL Database Administrator is also responsible for any other duties as assigned. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for keeping current in the industry, including technology changes, trends, and best practices. The incumbent is also responsible for addressing any technical operations concerns with the appropriate supervisor.

Qualifications

This position requires:

-Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent work-related experience.

-Three to Five years of professional experience supporting Azure databases and managed instances AND Microsoft SQL Server.

-Experience with ServiceNow preferred.

Communication & People Skills

-Advanced communication and interpersonal skills to effectively convey technical knowledge and procedures as well as persuade stakeholders and management regarding database design and development.

-Solid written communication skills are necessary to provide accurate technical documentation and test results.

-Supports an environment that motivates others and builds morale.

-Works effectively and cooperatively with other team members to achieve goals and develop/maintain working relationships.

-Ability to effectively communicate with various users.

-Uses effective communication and listening skills to work with others and problem solve.

-Ability to quickly gather information from and disseminate information to the appropriate parties.

-Ability to communicate complex procedures and information to a variety of audiences.

Project Management Skills

-Advanced project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple, large, and/or complex projects.

-Ability to track and document information between multiple parties.

-Experience in coordinating resource requirements.

-Attention to detail and solid organizational skills are necessary.

-Ability to schedule and prioritize to meet deadlines.

-Ability to work independently with little supervision.

-Demonstrates self-motivation and ownership of assigned work.

Analytical Skills

-Advanced analytical skills to understand problems from a broad perspective and discern applicable underlying principles to conceive and develop strategic database solutions.

-Ability to assist in troubleshooting, including quickly identifying problems and acting appropriately.

-Able to develop practical and thorough solutions to address all aspects of identified problems.

-Seek assistance with problems as appropriate.

-Identifies problems and uses appropriate sources to research technical problems.

-Ability to independently apply technical judgment to standard applications and systems.

-Considers the impact of recommendations or decisions on other departments and dependent systems.

Technical Skills

-Advanced experience administering Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, including provisioning, configuration, maintenance, security, monitoring, and performance management.

-Experience planning and executing migrations from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, including compatibility assessments, migration testing, cutover planning, and post-migration validation.

-Experience optimizing Azure SQL performance using execution plans, Query Store, indexing, statistics, and wait analysis.

-Experience securing Azure SQL environments using Microsoft Entra ID authentication, Azure role-based access control, database roles and permissions, auditing, encryption, and least-privilege access.

-Knowledge of Azure networking for database connectivity, including virtual networks, subnets, private endpoints, firewall rules, DNS, and connectivity between on-premises applications and Azure SQL services.

-Experience managing backup retention, point-in-time recovery, database restoration, high availability, and disaster recovery for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance.

-Experience using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerts, and diagnostic logs to troubleshoot database issues and monitor availability, performance, and capacity.

-Ability to evaluate Azure SQL service tiers, compute and storage requirements, and scaling options to balance performance, availability, and cost.

-Experience developing and maintaining T-SQL scripts and database objects in Azure SQL environments while ensuring application compatibility.

-Ability to automate Azure SQL provisioning, configuration, deployment, and administration using PowerShell, Azure CLI, or comparable tools.

-Experience applying version control, testing, and change-management practices to Azure SQL database deployments across development, test, and production environments.

-Experience supporting application, reporting, and data integration connectivity to Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by November 26, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

How To Apply

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at:

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.