Database Administrator - Technology - Birmingham
Vacancy Reference Number
20699
Number of Vacancies
1
(B) OCU
Digital, Data & Technology
Location
Birmingham
Band
Band N
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
36 hours per week
Type of Contract
Permanent
Job Advert
Job Title: Database Administrator - Technology - Birmingham
Salary: The starting salary is £53,459, which includes allowances totalling £2,928.
The salary is broken down as £50,531 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £55,103 Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: Birmingham
Job Summary
Behind the scenes in Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), you'll find our national Customer Service Centre (CSC). It has a vital role, supporting officers using business-critical systems. As a Database Administrator, you'll be part of our dedicated team, keeping these essential systems running smoothly. Join us and play your part in protecting the UK.
As an experienced Database Administrator, you'll join a talented team working in an ITIL-aligned environment. Your task will be to provide full lifecycle production assistance for development, infrastructure, testing and production. This involves managing and maintaining database environments across various platforms according to best practice.
With your proven database skills, you'll be a Subject Matter Expert. You'll therefore be comfortable tackling all things database, from installation and troubleshooting to optimising server availability and maintaining back-up procedures. Ideally, you'll be familiar with high availability set-ups such as Always on High-Availability, Mirroring, Log Shipping and Microsoft Clustering solutions. Either way, you can expect excellent training and the opportunity to learn and build your skills.
Occasionally, your talents may be needed at other sites or outside office hours. Flexible and prepared to travel, you'll be part of on-call rota, performing critical maintenance work to keep CTP systems functional.
The benefits? Besides the rewarding nature of the job itself, a competitive salary, and a Civil Service pension, you'll also enjoy excellent career and professional development.
Key Tasks
The post holder will be required to do the following:
* Working within a service team monitoring MS-SQL Databases, Postgres Databases, applications servers, log files and disk space
* The SME and point of escalation for all database related issues
* Managing the database layer across the estate supporting multiple high priority instances of SQL Server in some cases hosting multiple databases
* Resolving issues with databases, working with third party suppliers to alter schemas, update indexes and plan updates
* Performing daily checks and maintenance duties
* Facilitating changes to the data layer and managing daily duties such as SQL queries and bulk data imports
* Ensuring that all database instances are patched up to date in line with Microsoft patch release scheduling work with minimum supervision
* Strong customer focus – understanding the needs of the internal and external customer and keeping them in mind when taking actions or making decisions
* Working constructively with the Platform Services Team to ensure suitable platforms are in place for all database stacks
* Working in a supportive, positive manner within an established team
* Maintaining a high standard of accuracy in recorded and written work
* Consistently seeking to improve database layer monitoring and maintenance
Key Skills
The post holder must have:
* Excellent communication with strong listening, written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to provide root cause analysis of problems and viable solutions, including appropriate mitigations.
* Ability to read and analyse application logs to identify issues and escalate as necessary.
* Understanding of application design & development, including agile methodologies, application and database design, infrastructure technologies.
* Credibility: The post holder must be assertive, attentive and credible with staff, management and stakeholders.
* Excellent inter-personal skills. The post holder must be adept at assessing and discussing business options with senior management, discussing the implications of those issues and of alternative solutions. The post holder must therefore have a high level of interpersonal skills, communication skills, business and technical acumen in order to gain credibility with colleagues at all levels.
* Attitudes & behaviours: The post holder must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team. They must exhibit the ability to work under their own autonomy and prioritise their own workload. They must exhibit the ability to work under pressure and with competing demands. They must have enthusiasm, commitment, loyalty and determination to achieve results. The post holder must be prepared to challenge attitudes and behaviours which are incompatible with CTP HQ Policies and Values.
* Confidence to step in when systems are unexpectedly unavailable and deal with stakeholders in a calm way. Manage supplier and stakeholder communications and updates on problem solving. Pushing to establish route cause of service outages and implementing changes in response to these outages in a controlled manner
Vetting
This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post.
This post requires British nationality (some dual nationals may be ineligible) and an Enhanced Security Check (eSC)/Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.
As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process. Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.
Confidentiality Agreement
Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.
Our Employee Commitments
Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of "Working to keep people safe from Terrorism".
Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today's complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations'.
Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or job share. In addition, this role has been reviewed following learning from work during the Covid pandemic and may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated (where applicable).
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button ". The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 4th March 2026.
Essential For The Role
Experience
* You have experience in database technologies and a good understanding of SQL/Postgres development and scripting tools
* You are experienced in database administration, including back-ups, maintenance, performance monitoring and troubleshooting
* Experienced in implementing high availability setups such as Always on HA, Mirroring, log shipping and Microsoft Clustering
* You'll hold excellent knowledge of the Microsoft SQL Server Stack – SSMS, SSAS, SSIS & SSRS
* You're able to work to tight deadlines and changing priorities
* Strong knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server internals and core database functionality (indexes, schemas, triggers, etc.)
* You have a good understanding of database architecture and database design
Desirables
* ITIL v3 or 4 – Foundation Certification
* MCDBA or MCT certification
Required Languages
English
Reports To
Band C
Additional Information
CTP CVF Staff – 807KB Opens in a new window
Disability Confident Statement
The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.
As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.
The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.
Please note, if you are applying for a police officer role or to become a police community support officer (PCSO) or designated detention officer (DDO), there is a minimum requirement that you must pass a job-related fitness test (JRFT) at point of entry. This does not apply to police staff roles. Find out more about police fitness standards.
Read our full disability confidence statement.