At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and optimise databases, ensuring data security and availability.
- Company: Join HMRC, a leader in digital innovation for the UK's tax system.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative mission that impacts everyone in the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience with Oracle, MySQL, or SQL Server is essential.
The predicted salary is between 37682 - 37682 £ per year.
About the job
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC. HMRC is transforming the UK's tax system through cutting-edge digital innovation and the Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) Group is at the heart of that mission. We are building high-quality digital services that will enhance the customer experience, enable real-time interactions, and make tax simpler and more intuitive for everyone.
By equipping our colleagues with modern tools and technologies, we are also reshaping how we work - allowing HMRC to focus its resources where they can deliver the greatest impact. CDIO Borders and Trade supports the HMRC Borders and Trade group delivering IT projects that enable HMRC's wider customs strategy and policies. We design, manage and maintain the IT services that support customs and international trade activities. Our team is made up of specialists in delivery, business analysis, engineering, and live service support. We work closely with stakeholders across HMRC to ensure our IT systems meet their needs.
Job description
An Application Operations Engineer (Senior Database Administrator) maintains services and is responsible for conducting user and security administration. They are responsible for development/maintenance and tuning of the department's databases ensuring availability of the department's data and preventing data loss/providing data recovery in event of disaster.
As Application Operations Engineer (Senior Database Engineer), you will be expected to:
- Maintain departmental databases ensuring availability, ensuring no data loss, administering access, monitoring and improving performance, ensuring backup and recovery is maintained, providing data extracts and meeting business data exploitation requests.
- Maintain database security and data integrity.
- Incident fix and prevention.
- Deliver change and project deliverables in and out of core hours.
- Support development and test users with test databases and test data.
- Perform 24/7/365 support for priority 1/2 databases incident resolution.
Main Core Duties:
- Database design and administration using relational databases such as Oracle, MySQL, MSSQL and cloud based databases like Oracle and AZURE SQL.
- Experience of relational database design and administration, scripting for database utilities for on premises and cloud based database services.
- Monitor applications and be accountable for batch processes.
- Carry out the duties of an end user computing engineer, such as fixing technical problems, maintaining hardware, and liaising with the problem or incident manager.
Specific Responsibilities are likely to include:
- The installation, configuration, upgrade, administration, monitoring, and maintenance of databases.
- Providing support for operational databases in production use and for internal or interim purposes such as iterative developments and testing.
- Improving the performance of databases and the tools and processes for database administration (including automation).
- Using database management system software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics.
- Carrying out agreed database maintenance and administration tasks.
- Using database management system software and tools, and knowledge of logical database schemata, to investigate problems and collect performance statistics and create reports.
- Carrying out routine configuration, installation, and reconfiguration of database and related products.
- Developing and configuring tools to enable automation of database administration tasks.
- Identifying problems and issues and recommending corrective actions.
- Developing and maintaining procedures and documentation for databases.
- Identifying, evaluating, and managing the adoption of appropriate database administration tools and processes, including automation.
- Contributing to the setting of standards for definition, security and integrity of database objects and ensuring conformance to those standards.
- Managing database configuration including installing and upgrading software and maintaining relevant documentation.
- Monitoring database activity and resource usage.
- Optimising database performance and planning for forecast resource needs.
This role is expected to contribute to the 24/7 cover for Live service operation. Depending on the candidate's skills and knowledge there will be the potential for the individual to be asked to undertake on call support as part of a team rota with immediate effect. However, HMRC would anticipate individuals new to the role and Department requiring significant time to become productive in an on-call capacity and would anticipate that acclimatization taking up to 12 months. On completion of 12 months in post, or upon the demonstration of sufficient capability, the role would be expected to then help provide 24/7 cover as part of a team on-call Rota.
Essential Criteria
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate practical knowledge and experience in the following key disciplines:
- Database administration using some or all of the following databases: Oracle, MySQL, MS SQL, Azure SQL.
- Database design.
- Good understanding of backup and recovery strategies.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical skills.
Desirable Criteria
- Familiarity with and experience working on Windows, Unix and Linux operating systems.
- Some experience of programming in one of the following languages - Unix/Linux shell scripting, SQL.
- Experience working on traditional on-prem and cloud-based databases in AWS/Azure.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of 37,682, HM Revenue and Customs contributes 10,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs. We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
Applications Operations Engineer (Senior Database Administrator) - Bristol Regional Centre - 3 Glass Wharf employer: HMRC
At HMRC, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and personal growth. Our Bristol Regional Centre is at the forefront of digital innovation in tax services, providing employees with opportunities to engage in meaningful projects while enjoying generous benefits such as a robust pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to professional development. Join us to be part of a team that not only shapes the future of tax but also fosters a sense of belonging and community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Applications Operations Engineer (Senior Database Administrator) - Bristol Regional Centre - 3 Glass Wharf
✨Tap into Local Tech Meetups
Get yourself to local tech meetups or database management conferences. It's a really great way to meet industry professionals and potentially uncover unadvertised full-time roles. When chatting with people, mention your skills and interests in database management; you never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects can not only sharpen your database skills but also get you noticed by employers. Many companies look for candidates who actively contribute to projects – it shows initiative and a real passion for the field. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to connect with other developers and expand your professional network.
✨Utilise Professional Bodies
Sign up for professional bodies related to database management, like the British Computer Society. They often host events and networking opportunities that can lead directly to job openings in the full-time market. Plus, it adds a nice touch to your professional profile!
✨Showcase Your Skills in a Public Portfolio
As you’re on the hunt for that full-time role, make sure to have a public portfolio that displays your best database projects. This can easily set you apart from the competition. And when you apply for roles, definitely mention it – it shows employers you mean business and are proud of your work!
We think you need these skills to ace Applications Operations Engineer (Senior Database Administrator) - Bristol Regional Centre - 3 Glass Wharf
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your database skills:When applying for a full-time role in database management, it’s super important to highlight your skills with specific database technologies like SQL, NoSQL, or any relevant data visualisation tools. We want to see how you've used these tools in real projects, so don't shy away from detailing your hands-on experience!
Tailor your CV for data:Make sure your CV is structured clearly, focusing on your previous experience in database management. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact, like how you improved data retrieval times or reduced errors. This isn't just about what you've done; it’s about what you’ve achieved with your skills!
Craft a compelling cover letter:In your cover letter, share what excites you about database management and how you can contribute to HMRC. Mention any relevant projects where you tackled challenges or implemented new solutions. Let us know why you want to join our team and how your passion aligns with our goals.
Document your projects:If you've worked on interesting database projects—maybe during your studies or in previous roles—be sure to include those in your application. If you can, link to a portfolio or GitHub repo where we can see examples of your work. Having a tangible showcase of your skills will really make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at HMRC
✨Brush Up on Database Tools
Make sure you're well-versed with popular database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. Incorporating real-world examples of how you've used these tools in past projects will show that you can put theory into practice, which is something HMRC will definitely appreciate.
✨Know Your SQL Inside Out
Get ready for some technical questions focused on SQL queries and database design. We should anticipate coding challenges where you might need to optimise queries or design a database schema on the spot. Practising these problems will build our confidence to impress in the interview.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Besides just technical know-how, be prepared to answer scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach data integrity issues or handle performance bottlenecks — HMRC will want to see your analytical side!
✨Show Your Collaboration Spirit
Since this is a full-time role, it's crucial to highlight how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams or contributed to team projects in the past. Emphasising our interpersonal skills will demonstrate that you’re not just a tech wizard, but also a team player who fits well with HMRC's culture.
