ORACLE Database Administrator

Within the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Division our mission is to support the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Other Government Departments to ensure intelligent decision-making is at the heart of the UK government thinking. We work in partnership with the best suppliers from industry, academia and international allies to deliver creative cost effective S&T solutions that reduce the risk CBR materials pose to the UK.

The ORACLE Database Administrator sits within the Statistical Data Science and Software Team in the CB Advice Group. The team supports a diverse range of projects including the development of cutting edge modelling research and software development for CBRN decision support tools, development of novel statistical analysis and use of cutting edge data science techniques for chemistry and biology unique to Dstl. The capability provides support across the division providing and developing best practice, providing advice on tools and techniques and helping to oversee technical work with our industry and academic partners.

You will support the team and wider divisions work by maintaining and developing an existing ORACLE database alongside wider development of database technologies for data management and exploitation.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

In this role you will:

• Monitor database systems to ensure environments are stable and available
• Perform maintenance operations on Oracle databases to ensure efficient database operations
• Backups, migrations, and restorations of Oracle databases, including Oracle APEX applications
• Recover corrupted or lost data in test and production systems from backup.
• Identify automation and improvement opportunities e.g. new tool deployment, scripting/coding
• Engage with the lead user for each database application to understand their current and future requirements

We are looking for someone who has:

• • Knowledge of Oracle (12c), SQL Server and PostgreSQL.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
  • Good organisations skills and able to prioritise and plan own work to deliver to agreed standards
  • Proficiency in Unix/Linux/Windows Operating System administrative utilities
  • Experience in Operating System shell scripting would be beneficial
  • Experience in backups, migrations, and restorations of Oracle databases, including Oracle APEX applications

Technical Skills

• Oracle 12c or above database experience.
• Oracle enterprise manager maintenance and implementation
• Oracle WebLogic maintenance and implementation
• Knowledge of computer networks / protocols, including Windows & Linux operating systems and shell scripting
• Performance tuning & optimization skills
• Understanding of Git and version control
• Some knowledge of the UK armed forces and/or Defence and Security.

Behavioural Skills

• Experience in leading and working within multidisciplinary teams
• Able to communicate complex technical information to a wider audience
• Ability to influence senior colleagues
• Experience in identifying and shaping requirements
• Able to assess and mitigating risk on major projects

Qualifications

Proven experience and / or a degree qualification in a relevant degree such as Computer Science .

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Leadership

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please provide an example of how you gathered requirements, planned and then developed a database to meet those requirements
• Please describe a time when you have identified an opportunity to improve a database system and what you did as a result.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.