SQL Database Engineer I - PLS Financial Services, Inc.

Why PLS? Because You Deserve Better! ® PLS — which stands for People – Location – Service — is a leading retail provider of financial services. The “P” comes first, because our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we recognize that it’s our exceptional team members who go above and beyond every day. The PLS Group, headquartered in Chicago, is comprised of over 200 financial service centers in 12 states. Through our check cashing stores, we provide consumers with convenient financial products and services to help them manage their day-to-day financial needs. Although many of our customers have banking relationships, we believe that our customers use our financial services because they are convenient, transparent, and frequently more affordable than available traditional alternatives. PLS was founded in 1997 by Bob and Dan Wolfberg, who serve as Co-Presidents.

Position Overview: 

We’re looking for a SQL Server Database Administrator! SQL DBAs at PLS are responsible for the implementation, configuration, maintenance, and performance of all production database systems, ensuring the availability and consistent performance of our corporate applications. This is a “hands-on” position requiring solid technical skills, as well as interpersonal and communication skills. This role will be responsible for the development and sustainment of the SQL Server environments (security, health, and performance), and will require an advanced knowledge of Windows Server OS, SQL Server, and security protocols for hardening the server and SQL environments. The SQL DBA will be heavily involved in auditing all database systems and will act as a technical liaison during project discussions. Must be capable of working independently and collaboratively.

• Manage SQL Server databases through multiple product lifecycle environments, from development to mission-critical production systems.
• Maintain and test database backup and disaster recovery plans, procedures, and release of database changes according to agreed timescales and costs.
• Analyze, solve, and correct issues in real time, providing problem resolution end-to-end. Must be an expert in performance tuning.
• Review and deploy database change scripts provided by third party vendors.
• Proactively determine the most effective way to increase performance including hardware purchases, server configuration changes, or index/query changes
• Document the company’s database environment.
• Develop and implement database utilities and automated reporting.
• Evaluate and recommend new database technologies.
• Develop and deploy scripts and processes to automate administrative tasks.
• Assist developers with complex query tuning and schema refinement.
• Monitor, maintain and report capacity for data, index, log and backup files.
• Recommend and implement table index and stored procedure changes based on usage patterns.
• Proactively identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.
• Proactively tune database queries for optimal performance
• Identify interdependencies in system and application components.
• Configure and maintain database servers and processes, including monitoring of system health and performance, to ensure high levels of performance, availability, and security.
• Share domain and technical expertise, providing technical mentorship and cross-training to other peers and team members.
• Participate in an on-call rotation providing after hours on-call support.
• Evaluate and recommend new database technologies.
• Develop scripts and process to automate administrative tasks.
• Monitor and maintain capacity for data, index, log, and backup files.
• Recommend table index and stored procedure changes based on usage patterns.
• Monitor database systems and their dependencies for availability.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

• 5+ years’ experience Microsoft SQL Server working with virtualized database servers via VMware and SAN storage.
• 5+ Experience with Azure (IAAS, SAAS and PAAS) database solutions
• 2+ years’ experience with NoSQL database solutions
• Experience with SQL Server 2014 +
• Practical experience in monitoring and managing MS SQL databases.
• Experience tuning a database to provide a high availability service.
• Proven ability to backup and when necessary, recover, databases.
• SQL Server HA and / or Windows Clustering experience is mandatory
• Strong SQL Server performance troubleshooting and tuning skills are necessary.
• Ability to identify and analyze complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to proactively identify opportunities for improvement of the computing environment.
• Ability to understand and create complex SQL scripts as situations require.
• Experience creating, managing, and monitoring SSIS packages.
• Experience managing Report Server, SSRS Subscriptions and deployment
• Must possess the ability to create complete and concise technical documentation.
• Outstanding verbal, written and visual presentation skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Scripting experience with PowerShell or Python
• Ability to organize and plan work independently.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-moving and constantly changing environment
• Ability to quickly pivot between Production activities and Development activities as the need arises.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.

Benefits:

Benefits for eligible employees include medical/dental/vision, 401k, vacation, opportunities for advancement, on-going training available.

We strive to demonstrate our Core Values in all positions at PLS:

Communication ● Customer Focus ● Integrity and Trust ● Teamwork ● Results

PLS Financial Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. PLS Financial Services is a drug-free workplace. PLS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify your Recruiter or a member of our Human Resources team talentacquisition@PLS247.com to make arrangements. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

For jobs located in the City of Los Angeles, consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment.