Senior MS SQL Server Database Administrator

Job Title: Senior MS SQL Server Database Administrator
Work Type: Remote
Location: Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Rate: $50 – $70 per hour
Start Date: 19/10/2026
End Date: 30/06/2027
Industry Category: Government / Information Technology
Employment Type: 1099 Contract
Requisition : 813262

We are seeking an experienced Senior MS SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) to support the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Information Technology Division (ITD) Tolling group. This remote contract opportunity focuses on SQL Server database administration, cloud database technologies, performance optimization, high availability, and operational support.

The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in Microsoft SQL Server, Transact-SQL (T-SQL), database maintenance, and troubleshooting, along with familiarity with cloud database platforms.

Qualified candidates should demonstrate the required SQL Server database administration experience, technical troubleshooting skills, and ability to work independently within a collaborative engineering and operations environment.

Applicants must confirm that they will physically reside within the United States for the duration of the assignment in accordance with Commonwealth of Virginia security policies.

Candidates must also be willing to complete a fingerprint-based background check and maintain technical knowledge of VDOT technologies through continuing education at their own expense.

The Senior MS SQL Server DBA will join VDOT's Tolling Engineering and Operations Team to administer, maintain, and support SQL Server and cloud database environments that support critical tolling applications and business operations.

This position is responsible for maintaining database availability, optimizing performance, troubleshooting technical issues, and supporting database installations, upgrades, migrations, and high-availability configurations.

The selected professional will collaborate with engineering and operations specialists to improve database reliability, strengthen operational processes, and ensure database systems meet organizational requirements.

In addition to database administration, the role includes rotating help desk and application support responsibilities within the Tolling team. The successful candidate must be comfortable independently managing complex technical assignments while communicating effectively with technical and business stakeholders.

SQL Server Database Administration

• Administer, maintain, monitor, and support Microsoft SQL Server database environments.
• Perform SQL Server installations, upgrades, patching, migrations, and configuration activities.
• Support SQL Server 2022, SQL Server 2025 and later versions, including failover clustering configurations.
• Monitor database health, availability, connectivity, and operational performance to maintain reliable system operations.
• Manage large SQL Server databases and support database scalability, stability, and efficiency.
• Review existing database implementations and recommend, execute, or coordinate improvements.
• Support database high-availability technologies, including SQL Server clustering, mirroring, and failover configurations.

Database Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Analyze and tune SQL Server databases to improve performance and resource utilization.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and optimize long-running SQL queries.
• Write, debug, and maintain Transact-SQL (T-SQL) queries and scripts.
• Diagnose and resolve database and application issues involving connectivity, access, security, and performance.
• Review database maintenance activities and refine operational processes to align with agency priorities.
• Use Windows operating system scripting utilities to support database maintenance, diagnostics, troubleshooting, and administration.

Cloud Database & Data Platform Support

• Support cloud database environments and related database administration activities.
• Work with Microsoft Azure cloud technologies and other applicable data platforms.
• Apply data modeling principles to support database design, maintenance, and optimization.
• Collaborate with technical teams on database architecture, implementation, and operational improvements.

Application & Operational Support

• Participate in rotating help desk and application support responsibilities with the Tolling Engineering and Operations Team.
• Troubleshoot database-related application incidents and support timely issue resolution.
• Assist with…