Database Administrator - DBA Oracle & PostgreSQL - PRE

As a Database Administrator at Visa, your main responsibilities include managing and maintaining database technology and infrastructure, implementing physical database structures, ensuring high availability through solutions like replication and disaster recovery, and conducting performance analysis. You will also support off-the-shelf and internally developed applications while participating in on-call rotations to ensure continuous operation of mission-critical business applications.

The Database Administrator position at Visa requires either 2+ years of relevant experience along with a Bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of experience. Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field, mid-level experience in managing PostgreSQL and Oracle databases, and strong skills in Python or Perl scripting.

The Database Administrator role at Visa requires strong collaboration with other teams, including Infrastructure engineering, product development, and business operations. This ensures smooth delivery of database services that meet SLAs and performance targets, so teamwork and communication skills are key components of the job.

A Database Administrator at Visa should have solid experience with PostgreSQL and Oracle databases, including features like Oracle RAC and logical replication. Familiarity with scripting languages like Python or Perl, and tools for monitoring and performance analysis such as Prometheus and Grafana, is also essential. Having knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and Git is a plus.

The work environment for a Database Administrator at Visa is a hybrid model, allowing flexibility in how you work. You'll collaborate with a diverse team, contributing to innovative solutions, and will be supported in a culture that values professional growth and the pursuit of excellence. Regular communication and teamwork collaboration across various departments foster an engaging workplace.

In addressing your experience with Oracle and PostgreSQL, consider discussing specific projects where you've implemented or maintained these databases, including handling replication and disaster recovery solutions. Highlight any relevant scripts you've written, and be prepared to explain the outcomes of your work to show your contributions.

When answering this question, you should illustrate your methodology for performance analysis, including the tools you use and specific metrics you monitor. Discuss any strategies you've successfully employed for query optimization or indexing, showcasing your analytical skills and commitment to database efficiency.

Discuss your knowledge of both PostgreSQL and Oracle security features, and explain how you ensure data integrity and confidentiality. Highlight protocols you've implemented, such as user access controls, encryption techniques, and your routine checks against vulnerabilities.

Respond with a specific example of a database issue you've encountered, detailing your identification, analysis, and resolution process. This shows your troubleshooting skills and ability to maintain operational continuity under pressure.

Discuss how you've utilized scripting languages, like Python or Shell, to automate routine database tasks, improve efficiency, or aid in monitoring. Provide examples of scripts you’ve developed and the impact they had on your previous team's performance.

Speak to any direct experience you've had with implementing or managing DBaaS solutions including specific cloud platforms if applicable. Discuss its advantages in your perspective and how it changes your approach to database management.

Clearly define your strategies for establishing backup schedules and testing recovery processes. Mention specific tools and approaches you employ to guarantee that a robust backup and recovery strategy is in place for critical data.

Reflect on various performance metrics that matter, such as response time, throughput, and resource utilization. Discuss how monitoring these metrics helps in proactive management and improving database performance.

Explain how you gather data on database usage trends, perform forecasting, and plan for future growth. Mention tools or techniques you use to analyze trends and ensure resources meet demand without excessive over-provisioning.

Discuss your understanding of CI/CD principles and how they apply to database changes, including version control, automated testing, and deployment pipelines. Relate any past experience you've had integrating database management into a CI/CD cycle.