Database Developer

The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 25,000 members. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians of Massachusetts and patients locally and nationally. A leadership voice in health care, the MMS contributes physician and patient perspectives to influence health-related legislation at the state and federal levels, works in support of public health, provides expert advice on physician practice management, and addresses issues of physician well-being. Under the auspices of the NEJM Group, the MMS extends our mission globally by advancing medical knowledge from research to patient care through the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Catalyst, and the NEJM Journal Watch family of specialty publications, and through our education products for health care professionals: NEJM Knowledge , NEJM Resident 360, and our accredited and comprehensive continuing medical education programs.

The Database Developer serves as a lead technical resource in the planning, design, development and evaluation of new and existing databases including database models and structural elements. She/He/They reviews technical proposals, assesses technical characteristics, considers alternatives to optimize database performance, and ensures integration with the Society’s data and technology standards. The Database Developer researches and provides technology solutions that are user friendly, reliable, scalable, and integrate smoothly into our existing environment. They perform database administration responsibilities including development, staging, production, performance tuning, and capacity planning. Installs, maintains, monitors and optimizes databases and applications on a variety of systems. They will also provide leadership and mentor team members.

Responsibilities:

1. Analyzes and translates business and end-user requirements into systems specifications e.g. adaptability, scalability, availability, non-repudiation, reusability, etc.

2. Researches and designs architectural models of current and proposed database systems for internal use and/or in conjunction with Technology Partners. Defines opportunities for integration, researches and recommends tools, specifies shared data & code resources, defines interfaces and data-flows, and oversees integration efforts.

3. Designs, develops, and implements web based solutions using available technology including; ERWin, Microsoft .NET, SQL Server 2005-8, Microsoft IIS, and other development toolsets.

4. Establishes and oversees design and metadata repositories. Participates in defining IT design methodology, process and best practices, performs design reviews, and evaluates vendor software.

5. Acts as Data Tech Lead on customer-facing publishing website teams. Interfaces with other tech leads and business users to define data solutions that support customer-facing sites. Makes estimates and implementation plans for data integration aspects of sites. Participates in QA and deployment planning and bug triage, representing data integration aspects of technical knowledge for customer-facing websites. Troubleshoots website customer data integrity issues.

6. Monitors and maintains database security and database software, in cooperation with data security administrators. Requests changes or upgrades to databases as appropriate.
7. Mentors and provides advice to applications programmers in the effective use of database languages; advises on troubleshooting, exception processing needs, and other data management issues.
8. Leads project teams for assigned database system projects. Prioritizes project activities and timelines, provides technical leadership, and ensures high levels of productivity related to information storage and retrieval.

9. Designs database structures, procedures and reports, and assists in planning efficient storage and retrieval processes. Monitors and manages database backups, logs and journals; installs, maintains and upgrades database software, and restores and/or recovers data as required.
10. Ensures that all applications, support staff, and end-user instructions and documentation are complete and in compliance with established database development methodologies. Creates, procures and maintains various database related documents such as manuals and programmers handbooks.

11. Conducts technical reviews and walkthroughs of database designs and information usage, and ensures adherence to standards including security, confidentiality and data integrity. Creates and implements database development standards as required by the department, and assists in the adherence of such standards through design review sessions.

12. Maintains knowledge of database systems technology and keeps abreast of new advances and best practices. Researches ways to improve department productivity and effectiveness in maintaining the integrity of the Society’s databases.
13. Support and expertise in business infrastructure system, for example, Lawson and Hyperion. Must be able to design and implement processing that can complete complex server transactions across a distributed server configuration – backup processing for multiple modules on different servers.
14. Makes use of software methodologies and appropriate tools to design and implement the relational data structures.

15. Performs data modeling studies and develops detailed data models. Works with client and IT management and staff to establish and maintain consistent data element definitions across computing environments.

16. Participates in the development and maintenance of corporate data architecture, data management standards and conventions, data dictionaries and data element naming standards and conventions for multiple computing environments.

17. Provides data element naming consistent with standards and conventions and ensures that data dictionaries are maintained across multiple computing environments.

18. Prepares written reports of findings and recommendations. Prepares business requirements reports, feasibility studies and cost justification statements.

19. Additional responsibilities as assigned.

• A Bachelors degree or equivalent and five or more years of related database development experience utilizing SQL and SQL reporting tools are required.
• A solid understanding of Microsoft SQL Server architecture, operations, and components such as SSIS, BIDS, Analysis Services, are necessary.
• Proficiency with Microsoft SQL Servers, SQL relational databases, SQL and Shell Scripting, and reporting tools including Crystal Enterprise and MS Reporting is essential.
• Familiarity with database normalization rules, SQL Server installation and configuration, and integration with Windows 2003/2008 servers are necessary.
• Experience designing, developing, and implementing complex database structures is also necessary.
• Solid capabilities in the following areas: RDMS software and tools installation, configuration management, security administration, monitoring and tuning, backup and recovery (RMAN), troubleshooting and efficient use of database storage are critical.
• Practical experience tuning moderate to large database systems, and the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve systems are key.
• The ability to derive data models through requirements gathering, and to develop OLTP and Data Warehouse data models, along with expertise in data modeling tools such as ERWin / Model Manager is important.
• Experience with enterprise data architecture concepts, relational data modeling covering conceptual, logical and physical data models, dimensional data models, Data Dictionary and Metadata.
• Systems integration experience and Business Intelligence Knowledge of full life cycle development methodologies and relational databases are important.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, organization, verbal and written communication skills, the ability to work independently and/or to lead teams are also necessary.

Benefits:

Our generous benefits offerings include: 3 weeks of paid vacation, 6 personal days, 12 sick days, 13 paid holidays, medical and dental plans, 401(k) plans with company match, back-up childcare assistance, tuition assistance and more!

The MMS has earned praise as one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe for the past 9 years in a row! The Globe surveys employees regarding their opinions about company leadership, benefits, ethics, values and culture, and recognizes those companies who receive high marks from their employees.

Massachusetts Medical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Min/Fem/Vet/Disabled