Ideal Candidate Statement:

United Power is searching for a Data Infrastructure Engineer I to join our IT Infrastructure team. The ideal candidate would have several years’ experience and be highly capable managing a Microsoft SQL Server environment and be well-versed reading, writing, and executing complex SQL statements. You would regularly collaborate with report writers and users of data visualization tools to design and maintain a highly efficient and effective data environment to support the operation of the business. As part of the infrastructure team, your teammates will be engineers whose primary responsibility is server, network, storage and security administration. As part of this team, you are expected to become familiar with the server, network, storage, and security systems deployed in the organization, and contribute to their day-to-day administration and continuous improvement where appropriate.

While primarily focused on existing on-premises technologies, you have an awareness of cloud offerings, specifically within Microsoft Azure, and you are eager to grow your expertise in this area. You are ready to put in the time & effort to expand your cloud skillset to ultimately provide subject matter expertise on data solutions deployed in the public cloud. You will leverage your skills to design a big data environment to support the requirements of the business. You will consider all relevant factors for determining whether a solution should be deployed on-premises or in the cloud and make your recommendation to the organization.

While your day-to-day activities are largely self-driven, requiring that you reliably take ownership of your tasks and allocate your time appropriately, you work closely and communicate regularly and effectively with the infrastructure team and the larger Information Services team.   

The salary range for this position is $89,200 - $107,200 and the typical hiring range is $89,200 - $98,200.

Position Purpose and Objectives:

This position is responsible for embracing and supporting the vision and mission of the cooperative and the department. Provides reliable and high-performance data infrastructure and works with other business units to support the goals of the organization. Contributes to an excellent end user and member experience. Receives general supervision and direction from the IT Infrastructure Manager.

Major responsibilities of this position are the design, cybersecurity, implementation, configuration, performance, and maintenance of the United Power data environment spanning on-premises database servers and cloud database solutions.

The data infrastructure environment at United Power includes Microsoft SQL Servers, SQL Server Reporting Services, SQL Server Integration Services, Microsoft Windows Servers, virtualization, Oracle Relational Database Servers, vendor supplied flat data files, MS Access, and the Microsoft Azure cloud.

Job Classification and Progression:

The Data Infrastructure Engineer class series consists of two positions: Data Infrastructure Engineer I and II. Positions in the Data Infrastructure Engineer class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II-level are normally filled by advancement from the I-level after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

The Data Infrastructure Engineer I classification is expected to possess in-depth knowledge of the Structured Query Language (SQL), Microsoft SQL Server components and best-practices, and other established on-premises data technologies, in addition to basic knowledge of SQL Server clustering and high-availability options. There is an expectation to have an understanding of cloud terminology and possess basic knowledge of IaaS and PaaS product offerings, data warehousing and big data concepts, coupled with a curiosity and desire to expand upon their cloud technologies base of knowledge. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provides for the design and day-to-day management of the on-premises Microsoft SQL Server environments, including maintenance plans, backup strategy and high-availability planning.
• Evaluates Microsoft Azure solutions to address specific business challenges, bringing recommendations to the IT Infrastructure Manager.
• Achieves and maintains subject matter expertise in Microsoft Azure data solutions implemented in the environment, creating documentation and performing knowledge transfer with the department.
• Works with internal PowerBI users to develop a data modeling strategy and support an effective and efficient reporting environment.
• Stays abreast of emerging data technologies, understanding and articulating their advantages and costs.
• Achieves and maintains a working knowledge of Oracle Relational Database Server to effectively liaise with the support vendor and support internal data consumers.
• Supports the organization’s data warehouse and big data analysis ambitions by providing expertise on available solutions and becoming the subject matter expert on the selected platform.
• As a member of the IT Infrastructure team, it is expected that the incumbent achieves and maintains a functional knowledge of the overall IT Infrastructure environment. This may include servers, firewalls, switches, routers, wireless access points, and cloud environments.
• Participates in a 24x7 on-call schedule within the department.
• While the position will be primarily located in one office, up to 25% of the time may be spent at other offices or in the field depending on business needs and projects. 
• Accepts accountability for all areas of responsibility and holds peers accountable.
• Job duties may include other duties as assigned.
• Creates, expands, and maintains professional and productive working relationships with peers and stakeholders. Works collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation in the workplace

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives both general and specific, guidance and direction from IT Infrastructure Manager, Director of Information Services, or IT project managers.

Problem Solving:

Ability to collaborate with others to participate in root cause analysis and solve problems both within and outside area of technical expertise.

Diagnoses and resolves common or routine technical problems independently using defined standards and procedures. Increases the frequency of solving moderately complex problems independently. Participates in root cause analysis.

Discretion/Latitude:

Works independently and as a member of the IT Infrastructure team, based on general and specific direction, Service Desk cases, project task assignments, department’s priorities. Day to day work is self-initiated and self-directed based on priorities established by IT Infrastructure Manager, Project Managers, or Director of Information Services.

Ability to organize and drive own daily activities based on both broad and specific directives, processes and procedures, with ability to meet multiple deadlines, and effectively handle multiple tasks.

Impact:

It is essential that the end users’ and members’ experience with the technology environment be positive, safe and productive. This position significantly contributes to that experience, and United Power’s ability to deliver services to our members. This role is critical to the goal of delivering a reliable and high-performance data infrastructure.

Liaison:

Works with all employees and external vendors.