Senior Data Warehouse Administrator

Are you passionate about building modern data platforms that turn complex operational data into trusted insights that improve decision-making?

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is seeking an experienced Senior Data Warehouse Administrator to play a key technical role in designing, building, and evolving our enterprise data platform. This position will help establish the foundation for how VTA integrates, manages, and leverages data to support operational excellence and strategic initiatives.

In this senior technical role, you will design and develop scalable data pipelines, integrate data from complex enterprise systems, build analytical data solutions, and support cloud-based data platform capabilities. You will provide technical leadership, establish best practices, and help shape the future of VTA's enterprise data ecosystem.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned data professional who enjoys solving complex business challenges through modern data engineering practices, data modeling, automation, cloud technologies, and platform optimization. You will collaborate with business leaders, analysts, developers, and technology teams to deliver trusted, high-quality data products that enable better planning, reporting, and operational decision-making.

If you are excited about leading technical initiatives, mentoring others, and building reliable data solutions that create measurable impact for a major public transportation agency, we encourage you to apply.

About the Technology Department

The Technology Department strives to provide the highest quality technology-based services and solutions, in the most cost-effective manner, to facilitate the needs of our customers within VTA and the customers VTA serves.  

Definition

Under direction, the Senior Data Warehouse Administrator leads, designs, builds, and maintains data platform and processing systems that combine core data sources into accessible structures to support reporting and analytical systems.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced journey-level in Data Warehouse Administrator series. Incumbents in this class work closely with technology staff and business stakeholders to identify appropriate data requirements and develop data solutions that integrate information from multiple systems into well-modeled datasets for reporting and analytics.  Incumbents perform highly complex and critical duties, including leading projects and guiding staff in partnership with functional stakeholders. Assigned responsibilities include defining the scope of deliverables, designing and developing solutions, and overseeing the end-to-end delivery of data products to meet analytical needs.  Incumbents also perform complex data analysis activities, including conceptualization, modeling, and data presentation to support informed decision-making and planning.

This class differs from the lower-level class of Data Warehouse Administrator II in that the former is an advanced journey level classification and performs the most difficult, complex, and responsible types of duties assigned to this class series, including serving as project lead over other staff.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced data engineering professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong technical leadership and project delivery skills. They have extensive experience designing data models, developing scalable ETL/ELT pipelines, and integrating data from multiple business systems to build enterprise data warehouse and modern data platform solutions. They have successfully delivered analytical solutions, reporting, and business intelligence capabilities that enable data-driven decision-making. They also have experience implementing, administering, and supporting data platform environments, including platform configuration, security and access management, monitoring, troubleshooting, performance optimization, and ongoing operational support.

They have successfully delivered complex data initiatives from concept through implementation while building strong partnerships with business stakeholders, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams. They are skilled at understanding business and operational needs, translating requirements into sustainable technical solutions, and communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. They have experience with modern data architecture, dimensional modeling, cloud data platforms, API integrations, automation, data governance, data quality, and performance optimization. 

The successful candidate views data as an enterprise asset and applies best practices for scalability, security, reliability, documentation, and long-term maintainability. They balance technical excellence with business value, demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, mentor team members, lead cross-functional initiatives, and continuously improve enterprise data capabilities to enable data-driven decision-making.

Typical Tasks

• Designs and develops data processing systems that integrate core data sources into centralized repositories supporting reporting and analytical functions;
• Identifies and resolves production and/or application development issues related to the database management systems;
• Collaborates with technology staff, business analysts, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into data workflows;
• Troubleshoots data processing tools, systems, and software applications;
• Performs data validation and reconciliation to ensure data accuracy and integrity;
• Defines performance and capacity standards in alignment with service level agreements, and maintains systems to meet those expectations
• Maintains the quality and integrity of data repositories by adding, modifying, and deleting data in accordance with established policies and business decisions;
• Leads project planning activities and oversees workflows to ensure deliverables are completed within established timelines;
• Identifies and implements improvements to enhance data reliability, efficiency, and quality;
• Leads performance and capacity analysis to support scalability and reliability;
• Establishes and maintains technical documentation, templates and best practices, including data mappings, specifications, data dictionaries, runbooks, and production support materials;
• Designs, develops and maintains application programming interfaces (APIs) to support data accessibility and third-party integration;
• Maintains the data dictionaries and related metadata documentation;
• Supports self-service analytics by publishing certified datasets and reusable pipelines;
• Maintains technical and functional competency in applications utilized by to collect and analyze data in the organization;
• Performs related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education and increasingly responsible experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in computer science, engineering, business information systems, management information systems, or a closely related field and a minimum of four (4) years of professional data analytics experience that included designing, implementing, and integrating data analytics and cloud technology components.

Knowledge of:

• Extensive knowledge of data processing tools, techniques, and methodologies;
• Expert-level understanding of data warehousing concepts, including ETL vs. ELT, dimensional modeling, and star and snowflake schema design; Modern cloud-based data warehouses;
• Information systems development across the IT lifecycle, with a focus on systems to perform high-volume and high-velocity data processing;
• Modern data modeling techniques, including medallion architecture and data product design;
• Relational and NoSQL databases, including data extraction, querying, and scripting, with experience implementing business logic using SQL-based transformation frameworks’
• Principles and practices of integrating data from Enterprise Resource Planning and Enterprise Asset Management systems into enterprise data platforms;
• Relational database theory, structure, principles, and practices; database normalization concepts, data modeling and performance tuning;
• Software components (e.g., specialized UDFs) and analytics applications;
• Design and development of data pipelines;
• Data governance standards and role-based access control (RBAC) policies;
• Modern data lakes and advanced storage platforms supporting cross-platform data access, handling CDC, and ingesting diverse file formats;
• Basic networking concepts;
• Scripting languages;
• Data visualizations and reporting tools to present information to a variety of audiences using presentation layer tools;
• Data analytics tools, systems, and software troubleshooting;
• Uses source control and CI/CD practices to support version control, collaboration, and efficient development in data engineering and reporting tasks;
• Troubleshooting data systems and issue resolution practices;
• Principles and practices of lead supervision and training;
• Disaster recovery procedures.

Ability to:

• Manage multiple projects involving personnel from multiple departments, as well as consultants and vendors;
• Lead and direct the work of subordinate personnel;
• Train customers, staff and others, as needed;
• Think Data as a product with cost, scalability, and maintainability as a first Principle;
• Design, develop, analyze, troubleshoot, and maintain data engineering solutions, including ETL/ELT processes, data pipelines, automation workflows, and supporting application code;
• Effectively design data pipelines and accurately forecast future data growth;
• Implement statistical modes to identify trends, correlations, and patterns in data sets;
• Support information governance in collaboration with various stakeholders and departmental data stewards;
• Improve and maintain data quality and integrity;
• Catalog and manage data sources;
• Maintain, design, and create relational databases and data systems;
• Design and Build reporting dashboards;
• Utilize presentation tools to communicate technical information effectively;
• Develop and maintain technical documentation records;

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of business.

 

Working Environment/Conditions and Physical Demands 

 

Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Good Conditions 

Primarily Sedentary Work 

Work Locations:

Office or similar indoor environment – Frequently  

Exposures: 

Minimal exposure to environmental factors

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Amalgamated Transit Union. Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

                                                                                                                    Tentative Examinations:

                                                                    Oral Panel: Tentatively expected to be scheduled around the fourth week in August.

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment. 

For sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur.  Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment. 

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations 

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email [email protected] at least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.