Principal Database Administrator

The Principal Database Administrator (DBA) position is responsible for providing effective database administration, architecture, design, management, and optimization services for AWS and Azure database environments accessed by The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) application development and business user groups.

This individual will provide on-going operational support/maintenance to ensure the availability, reliability, recoverability, performance, and security of cloud-based database systems. This individual must be capable of facilitating knowledge transfer throughout the department and be comfortable working in a dynamic environment, collaborating with existing team members and other IT colleagues, and inheriting joint responsibility to meet all established production SLAs. This Principal Database Administrator reports directly to the Associate Director of Enterprise Databases and does not supervise any staff.

If you're a database administrator with experience in AWS and Azure database services come join our team. You understand the challenges of implementing and maintaining database systems from a business, systems, and development standpoint and can effectively translate them into strategies and solutions. You are comfortable in a technical advisory role on cloud-native database environments and work well with other technical peers and leaders. This is an exciting opportunity for you to be a part of a global organization helping support the ongoing mission of conservation by being a lead resource for our technology systems

• Bachelor's degree with a technical major, such as engineering or computer science.
• Five or more years of experience implementing and maintaining cloud databases in both IaaS and PaaS models, supporting line of business applications on AWS and Azure.
• Five or more years of experience administering AWS RDS and Azure SQL database systems.

• Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in working independently as well as jointly with colleagues on a team.
• Collaborative mindset with a strong ability to mentor and support team members' professional development.
• AWS certification in AWS Certified Database – Specialty or AWS Solutions Architect.
• Proficiency in Terraform and Python scripting for automating database administration tasks.
• Hands-on skills in managing and troubleshooting cloud-based databases.
• Understanding of cloud database technologies, with the ability to design solutions that balance performance, scalability and operational cost.
• Experience in an advisory role in cloud database technologies.
• Experience with multiple AWS database offerings beyond RDS.
• Experience in managing databases with a minimum database size of 1TB and at least 200 concurrent on-line users, including extensive batch processing and online transactional activities.

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $113,900– $170,900 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate's qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We're rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it's career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there's many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor .

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant's unique experience. Please apply – we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and stay for the people."

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.