Backup and Recovery Specialist (The Data Guardian)

Are you passionate about protecting critical data and ensuring business continuity through effective backup and recovery processes? Do you excel at designing, managing, and optimizing data protection strategies to safeguard against data loss? If you’re ready to be the first line of defense for data resilience, our client has the perfect role for you. We’re looking for a Backup and Recovery Specialist (aka The Data Guardian) to oversee, optimize, and secure backup systems, ensuring the organization’s data is always safe and recoverable.

As a Backup and Recovery Specialist at our client, you’ll collaborate with IT and data teams to implement robust backup strategies, perform regular testing, and manage data recovery operations. Your role will be essential in ensuring the integrity, security, and availability of critical information assets.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Design and Implement Backup and Recovery Strategies:
• Develop and manage comprehensive backup plans that cover all critical systems, applications, and databases. You’ll ensure that backup strategies align with business needs for data retention and recovery times.
2. Monitor and Manage Backup Systems:
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of backup systems, ensuring that all backups are completed successfully. You’ll monitor systems to detect and resolve any failures or issues promptly.
3. Perform Regular Backup Testing and Validation:
• Conduct regular restore tests to verify the integrity of backup data and recovery processes. You’ll ensure that all backups meet recovery point objectives (RPO) and recovery time objectives (RTO).
4. Optimize Backup and Storage Solutions:
• Implement deduplication, compression, and other optimization techniques to maximize storage efficiency. You’ll continuously assess and improve backup performance to reduce costs and resource consumption.
5. Coordinate Disaster Recovery Planning and Execution:
• Work with the disaster recovery team to develop and update disaster recovery plans. You’ll assist with testing and executing disaster recovery procedures to ensure minimal downtime and data loss.
6. Ensure Security and Compliance of Backup Data:
• Protect backup data from unauthorized access, implement encryption, and maintain compliance with relevant data protection regulations. You’ll ensure backup policies meet regulatory and industry standards.
7. Document Backup Processes and Procedures:
• Create and maintain detailed documentation for backup configurations, schedules, and recovery procedures. You’ll ensure that knowledge is accessible for the team and future audits.

Requirements

Required Skills:

• Backup and Recovery Expertise: Extensive knowledge of backup and recovery software (e.g., Veeam, Commvault, Veritas NetBackup) and storage solutions.
• Data Integrity and Testing: Strong experience in backup validation, testing, and troubleshooting to ensure data reliability and recoverability.
• Disaster Recovery Knowledge: Familiarity with disaster recovery planning, execution, and testing to support business continuity.
• Security and Compliance Awareness: Understanding of data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and best practices for securing backup data, including encryption.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to quickly diagnose issues within backup systems and implement effective solutions.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. Equivalent experience in backup and recovery may be considered.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Backup & Recovery Engineer (CBRE), CompTIA DataSys+, ITIL) are advantageous.

Experience Requirements:

• 3+ years of experience in backup and recovery management, with a proven track record of successful data protection and recovery operations.
• Experience with cloud-based backup solutions (e.g., AWS Backup, Azure Backup) is beneficial.
• Familiarity with scripting or automation (e.g., PowerShell, Bash) for optimizing backup tasks is a plus.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with low co-pays and premiums.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation, sick leave, and 20 paid holidays per year.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible work schedules and telecommuting options.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certification reimbursement, and career advancement programs.
• Wellness Programs: Access to wellness programs, including gym memberships, health screenings, and mental health resources.
• Life and Disability Insurance: Life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional challenges.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Financial assistance for continuing education and professional development.
• Community Engagement: Opportunities to participate in community service and volunteer activities.
• Recognition Programs: Employee recognition programs to celebrate achievements and milestones.