Database Engineer

Join Our Team as a Database Engineerfor the Laboratory of Ornithology at Cornell University!
If you're eager to make an impact and be part of a dynamic team, then we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity with us!
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
About The Department
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a globally recognized leader in technology, data management, and large-scale participatory science supporting birds and biodiversity conservation. We curate more than a petabyte of digital assets, one point five billion bird sightings, and leverage innovative big data analysis tools and machine learning to produce web applications and services to empower a global community of bird and nature enthusiasts, researchers, conservationists, and educators. We rely on a team of high-performance engineers to help navigate intriguing technical challenges to provide data-driven services, learning platforms, and science communications supporting biodiversity and conservation communities in all corners of the globe. This role will develop and maintain database infrastructure and services that support numerous user-facing applications, including eBird, Merlin, Macaulay Library, Birds of the World, and BirdCast.
The Cornell Lab engages millions of people a year through our innovative educational platforms and data-powered citizen science enterprises. The Lab is committed to fostering a healthy workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds as well as supporting growth and advancement opportunities. The Lab welcomes staff who are still learning in their careers and who are motivated to take on new challenges.
About The Opportunity
We are seeking a full-time Database Engineer expected to:

• Design, implement, and maintain highly available large scale production database infrastructure for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO).
• Participate actively in the design and evolution of CLO technical infrastructure and database platforms, including scalable, agile, cloud-based systems.
• Actively develop, monitor, and improve the performance and reliability of database systems, working closely with application developers and other technical staff to optimize database architecture and query design.
• Serve as a technical liaison supporting coordination and integration of application infrastructure to meet CLO strategic objectives.
• Stay current on database infrastructure and database development best practices and processes.

This position is located at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY, with a hybrid work arrangement option of two or three days expected to be on-site.
What We Need
The successful candidate will have Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field with 5+ years experience or equivalent combination administering large relational databases in a 24x7 production environment that includes installing, configuring, monitoring, upgrading, and maintaining complex database systems.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Extensive experience with managed database services such as Amazon RDS.
• In depth knowledge of relational DBMS theory, design, and technology.
• Exceptional SQL development and performance tuning skills.
• Experience writing database functions in a procedural language such as PL/pgSQL.
• Experience working with and supporting software developers including with schema design, query development, performance tuning, and optimization.
• Experience with source control management systems such as git.
• Experience designing, documenting, and implementing backup and recovery plans and database security policy.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve database performance and functionality issues.
• Experience with proactive monitoring and problem solving to continuously improve database performance.
• Ability to work weekends or evenings when participating in the 24-7 on call duty rotation.

Preferably the successful candidate will also have the following;

• Advanced degree in computer science or related field.
• Experience administering PostgreSQL databases and expertise with PostgreSQL system metrics and optimization strategies.
• Experience with ETL architecture and implementation.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code and with Terraform or similar IaC tooling.
• Experience with scheduling and automation tools such as Rundeck.
• Experience or familiarity with database migrations using tools like Flyway or Liquibase.
• Familiarity with the Linux command-line and experience with shell scripting.
• Experience working with data analysts and researchers including writing efficient and accurate SQL queries to extract data for research and reporting.
• Prior use and understanding of eBird, Merlin, BirdCast or other Cornell Lab tools and resources.
• Interest in birds, nature, conservation, and/or natural science.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.
How to Apply:
You must submit both a Resume and Cover letter.
When applying through our system, please attach your application materials (resume and cover letter). You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website. If you are an internal employee, please log in to Workday.
Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.
Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.
University Job Title:
Database Administrator IV
Job Family:
Information Technology
Level:
G
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Pay Range:
$105,889.00 - $129,419.00
Remote Option Availability:
Hybrid Remote
Company:
Contract College
Contact Name:
Denise Smith
Job Titles and Pay Ranges:
Non-Union Positions
Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.
Union Positions
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.
Current Employees:
If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.
Online Submission Guidelines:
Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.
Employment Assistance:
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.
If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.
Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.
Notice to Applicants:
Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.
EEO Statement:
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
2024-01-30