PEOPLESOFT AND DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. We strive to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual. McMaster’s profile and stature have evolved to one of the Top 70 Universities in the World and we are recognized as Canada’s Most Research-Intensive University. McMaster is also recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers for the past 6 years. 

Our University Technology Services (UTS) team’s mission is to provide exceptional customer service and a high level of support to the McMaster community. Critical to this role's success, we value integrity, mutual respect, collaboration, and cooperation in support of the University’s IT Strategic Vision of a connected One IT community.   

For more information about UTS, please visit our website! 

About the Position 

McMaster University has been operating a full-suite solution ERP for over 8 years. The modules implemented include PeopleSoft Finance, Student (Campus Solutions), Human Capital Management (HCM), and Research Administration. Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE), Hyperion, and Interaction Hub (Portal). 

The UTS team is seeking a skilled Peoplesoft and Database Administrator to manage and enhance its database and cloud environments. This senior role involves designing and implementing high availability, disaster recovery, and scalable database architectures. The role also ensures the security and efficiency of the university's database systems and collaborates with development teams, system administrators, business partners, and vendors to resolve complex technical issues.  

This position offers the opportunity to work with various technologies, contribute to innovative projects, and support the university’s mission of excellence in research and education.  

Are you the right candidate? 

Do you have a deep understanding of database administration and cloud technologies, especially with Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database (19c and higher), Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure? Are you experienced in ensuring database security through access controls, encryption, and firewalls? If so, we are looking for someone like you!  

You'll be designing and implementing high availability, disaster recovery, scalable database architectures, and handling upgrades, patching, and migrations with minimal downtime. Your ability to document designs and configurations and provide detailed reports will be crucial, and your experience with hybrid cloud solutions and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools will make you a standout candidate. You also have a passion for continuous learning and growth and staying abreast of emerging technologies. 

If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you! 

Key Responsibilities: 

Please note that the responsibilities are currently evolving as new technologies emerge and the university's needs change, therefore continuous professional growth, and adaptation are essential in this role. More details can be found under Requirements and Experience. 

• Create, install and maintain directly, and in concert with the team PeopleSoft/Oracle test, development and production environments.  

• Adhere to established strategies for System Administration and Production Support activities such as quality control, backups, disaster recovery, security, identity management, patch implementation, and upgrades while fostering continuous improvement.  This will entail knowledge of Grid Control, OEM, and RMAN procedures. 

• System performance and monitoring activities (stats, logs, archiving, performance, disk space) through Grid Control and other appropriate processes. 

• Work with Systems Integrators, developers, other DBA team members, and systems/storage teams to ensure optimal performance of the various environments. 

• Maintaining system documentation (code/customizations, change control) 

• Maintaining application/data interfaces 

• Establish project framework and identify project milestones to ensure the project is completed according to project specifications and within specified timelines. 

• Perform advanced levels of analysis and problem-solving to formulate solutions to complex database problems. 

• Provide technical assistance to developers, other DBA team members, operational staff, and when appropriate, those in the user community. 

• Establish and maintain a level of knowledge transfer of PeopleSoft technical skills to other DBA team members. 

Job Technical Competencies 

• ITIL Standards: Thorough understanding of ITIL standards as they relate to Incident Management, Change Management, Problem Management and other core ITIL processes. 

• Server Technology: Working knowledge of server and storage technology trends and methods. Ability to provide input on server and storage technology development in the organization. 

• Oracle/PeopleSoft Technologies: Expert Knowledge of lifecycle events around the PeopleSoft Stack including: PeopleTools Upgrades, PUM Image Upgrades, Selective Adoption upgrades, use of the Puppet Tool for automating upgrades, Integration Broker and service integrations. 

• Network/Security Technology: Knowledge of network and security technology trends and methods.  

• Database: Expert knowledge Oracle with a particular focus on PeopleSoft modules and tools. Knowledge of Data Warehouse, enterprise level ETL tools and the RAC environment a definite plus. 

• IT Architecture: Knowledge and ability to apply architecture theories, principles, concepts, practices, methodologies and frameworks. 

• IT Project Management: Knowledge and ability to apply formal basic project management knowledge, principles and practices. 

McMaster’s Core Leadership Capabilities 

• COMMUNICATES AND COLLABORATES: Identifying opportunities to collaborate, generating trust and inclusivity, listening with insight and respect, leveraging networks, and providing meaningful recognition. 

• DEVELOPS PEOPLE: Engaging in personal and team development, turning learning into action on the job, inspiring others via a coaching approach, celebrating diversity, and providing balanced feedback. 

• TAKES A STRATEGIC APPROACH: Promoting McMaster culture and values, understanding global trends and impacts, anticipating challenges, trends, and outcomes, gathering key information and resources, and enabling strategic plans through their role. 

• CHAMPIONS CHANGE AND INNOVATION: Being a change agent, demonstrating resilience and adaptability, championing innovations and improvements, and seeking and using feedback. 

• INVESTS IN RELATIONSHIPS: Enhancing the university brand, reputation and financial success, building relationships using a service model approach, creating positive student, employee and partner experiences, demonstrating creativity in resolving issues. 

• DRIVES RESULTS: Advancing the University’s strategy, delivering what you do with integrity, balancing priorities, accepting responsibility and accountability, taking prudent risks, and operating with fiscal responsibility. 

Requirements and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. 

• Minimum of 7 years of experience as a database administrator, with expertise in Oracle Database (version 19 or higher) and Microsoft SQL Server. 

• Experience architecting, deploying, and managing cloud solutions on Azure and/or OCI platforms. 

• Proficiency in PeopleSoft 9.2 Campus Solutions, Finance, and HR modules. 

• Strong knowledge of database security best practices and compliance requirements. 

• Hands-on experience with database performance tuning and optimization. 

• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or ARM templates. 

• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills. 

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

Assets 

Experience with the following:

• PeopleSoft Administration / Support 

• Streams 

• Campus Solutions 9.2 

• Finance 9.2 

• HR 9.2 

• Integration Broker 

• Ability to configure and maintain PeopleSoft Environments, including application servers, web servers and databases 

• Experience with Full Stack PeopleSoft Patching  

• PeopleTools 8.58 and higher 

• PeopleSoft Images 

• Cloud Manager 

• OS, Weblogic, Tuxedo, Java 

• Phire 

• Experience/exposure to Oracle EXACC & EXACS  

What We Offer:  

In addition to joining a Top Ranked University, McMaster offers a very competitive Total Compensation Package that includes, but is not limited to:  

• Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance.  

• Participation in a group RRSP plan.  

• Progressive paid annual vacation plan.  

• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities.  

• Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education.  

• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning.  

For more information, please visit McMaster’s Total Rewards website!