Database Administrator

On behalf of ONS, we are looking for a Database Administrator (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based Hybrid in Newport, Titchfield or Darlington.

We are supporting the Office for National Statistics in hiring an experienced SQL-focused Database Administrator to provide 2nd and 3rd line operational support across enterprise SQL services and applications. This role supports ongoing team restructuring and replaces a permanent team member, so you will play a key part in maintaining service stability and improving SQL environments used across the organisation.

You will work on the data systems that underpin critical ONS services. The focus is SQL Server, with occasional interaction with Oracle or DB2 environments which are already well supported by the wider team.

The role

You will provide operational and technical support for SQL Server platforms and SQL-based applications. This includes resolving incidents, managing service requests and changes, troubleshooting complex queries, carrying out maintenance, delivering improvements and supporting service availability across multiple environments.

You will also work with internal teams and third-party suppliers to ensure issues are escalated appropriately and resolved within agreed SLAs.

As a Database Administrator your main responsibilities will be:
. Providing 2nd and 3rd line operational support for SQL-based services and applications
. Administering Microsoft SQL Server across enterprise environments
. Troubleshooting database issues and analysing complex SQL queries
. Owning and resolving incidents, problems and service requests
. Managing changes using ITIL-aligned processes
. Monitoring performance, capacity and service health using enterprise tooling
. Supporting routine database maintenance, patching and upgrades
. Writing SQL scripts to automate tasks and deliver efficiency improvements
. Working with suppliers to escalate issues and ensure SLA-driven resolution
. Contributing to service improvement through trend analysis and operational insights
. Producing clear, high-quality documentation for operational and team use
. Supporting SQL services hosted on Windows Server

Essential:
. Strong hands-on SQL Server DBA experience
. Experience providing 2nd and 3rd line support for enterprise SQL services
. Excellent problem-solving skills
. Experience administering Microsoft SQL Server in production environments
. Ability to write SQL scripts and automate improvements
. Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows Server
. Understanding of application architecture and system interfaces
. Experience managing third-party supplier escalations
. Experience working with ITIL processes across Incidents, Requests, Problems and Changes
. Ability to produce high-quality documentation

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Desirable:
. Experience with cloud infrastructure, ideally Microsoft Azure
. Knowledge of Microsoft Azure SQL
. Experience migrating databases from on premise to cloud
. Experience with DB2 in IBM Cloud Platform
. Experience using enterprise management tools such as Splunk, Sentinel, SCCM Reporting, SSMS or Oracle Enterprise Manager
. Experience using automation tools such as SQL Agent, Powershell or Ansible
. Experience using ServiceNow

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, ONS guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

ONS guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".