Scope (Purpose)
The Microsoft Access & Power BI Specialist will be responsible for designing, developing, enhancing, and maintaining complex Microsoft Access databases, including integrating and migrating back-end data to SQL-based platforms. This role will involve performing a range of database programming and development activities, optimizing data structures and processes, and ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and integrity across the organization. The specialist will also design, develop, and maintain interactive Power BI reports and dashboards, transforming complex data into meaningful insights that support business intelligence, operational efficiency, and informed decision-making.
Key Accountabilities
- Maintain Conexus’s file-level database environments including back-end, front-end, and global code base
- Aid in the back-end data migration to structured SQL infrastructure and in the re-design of new web-based user interfaces. Ensure front-end access databases are maintained throughout the process
- Build and maintain Power BI / Grafana based dashboards & live reports for various line of business activities including Metrics, KPIs & Project CPI/SPI and other reporting as required.
General Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain Microsoft Access databases to support business functions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and translate business needs into technical specifications.
- Develop and optimize queries, forms, and reports in Access for data analysis and reporting.
- Create compelling and interactive Power BI reports and dashboards that provide actionable insights.
- Connect Power BI to various data sources, including Access databases, ensuring seamless data integration.
- Implement data security measures to protect sensitive information within Access and Power BI environments.
- Provide training and support to end-users on Access database management and Power BI reporting.
- Stay current with the latest trends and updates in Microsoft Access and Power BI technologies.
Requirements
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field.
- Proven experience with Microsoft Access database development, including tables, queries, forms, and reports.
- Strong proficiency in Power BI, Grafana, Tableau (or competing product) for creating reports, dashboards, and data visualizations.
- Proven experience with SQL and experience administrating MS SQL/MySQL/Maria Servers is a plus.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with team members and stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience with data modeling and data warehousing principles.
- Familiarity with other BI tools and data analytics software.
- Certification in Microsoft Access and/or Power BI is highly desirable.
Competencies
- Relational database design and data modelling: Designs normalized schemas (keys, constraints, referential integrity, data types) and produces logical/physical models that stand up to multi-user access. Evidence: has modelled a relational database from a flat or file-level source and defended the design choices.
- Advanced SQL (T-SQL and/or MySQL dialects: Writes and optimizes joins, subqueries, CTEs, window functions, views, stored procedures, functions and triggers; reads and improves execution plans and applies indexing strategy. Evidence: has tuned a slow report query and quantified the improvement.
- Legacy database migration (Microsoft Access to SQL Server / MySQL): Hands-on upsizing of .mdb/.accdb databases: inventorying tables, queries, forms, reports, macros and VBA dependencies; mapping Access data types and Jet/ACE behaviours to the target platform; rebuilding or retiring query and report logic; planning parallel run, cutover and rollback. Evidence: has personally completed at least one Access-to-SQL migration used in production.
- ETL / data pipeline development: Builds repeatable, scheduled export/import pipelines between Access, Excel, flat files and SQL platforms using tools such as Navicat (Data Transfer, Import/Export, Automation) and is willing to work with adjacent tooling (SSMA for Access, SSIS, MySQL Workbench Migration, Power Query, Python) where the task calls for it. Understands full vs. incremental loads, idempotency/re-run safety, dependencies, error handling, logging and alerting.
- Data quality, profiling and reconciliation control: Profiles and cleanses legacy data before it is trusted: duplicates, orphaned records, inconsistent codes, null and date/number format drift, precision loss on data-type conversion. Establishes control totals (row counts, checksums, amount totals) between source and target and reports exceptions
- Data visualization and dashboard design: Designs dashboards and reports for non-technical decision-makers - selects the right visual for the question, defines KPIs with the business, keeps interactivity simple, and engineers queries and aggregates so dashboards open quickly. Practical experience with at least one major BI tool (e.g. Power BI, Tableau) including publishing and sharing to a browser.
- Web-delivered reporting and platform integration: Delivers reports from a web-based application rather than a desktop file: browser publishing/embedding, scheduled distribution, role-based and row-level security, single sign-on, connection and credential management, ODBC/OLE DB and REST/JSON data access. Working familiarity with web hosting and environment promotion (dev → test → production) sufficient to partner with the infrastructure and application teams.
- Automation and scripting for repeatable operations: Automates repetitive data movement and validation with PowerShell, Python, SQL Agent/Windows scheduled tasks or Navicat Automation, and uses version control for scripts, DDL and report definitions. Builds for someone else to run it at 2 a.m.
- Testing, technical documentation and knowledge transfer: Writes test cases and retains data-validation evidence; documents schemas, mappings, pipeline designs, and standard operating procedures; trains lines-of-business users on self-service reporting and hands over supportable solutions rather than dependencies on themselves.
- Explaining technical constraints and trade-offs to non-technical partners: Frames barriers (data not captured at source, concurrency limits of a file-based database, licence or hardware cost, integration risk) in terms of cost, schedule, risk and options - and brings a recommended option rather than only the problem. Says "here's what we can do instead" credibly.
- Analytical thinking and problem investigation: Investigates discrepancies to root cause rather than patching a number; comfortable working with incomplete or undocumented legacy artefacts and reverse-engineering intent from existing Access queries, Excel formulas and user behaviour.
- Managing concurrent demands and owning delivery: Handles a queue of requests from several lines of business plus multi-week project work; triages, scopes, estimates and communicates status; raises issues early; works within IT service, change and request-management practices.
Success Indicators/KPI’s
- Timely and efficient completion of software bug resolution for identified issues with custom applications.
- Timely and efficient completion of project commitments (on time, in scope, on budget).
- High system/software reliability contributing to efficient ongoing operation, including maintenance & feature improvements of custom-built web applications including (WPS, WPT, CAP DB, IT Datacentre, DMS, FCLMdb & related tooling)
- New tools implemented with open, honest communications with project teams to identify requirements, build proofs-of-concept for development environments & testing, and deployment into production, for new tools and feature improvements to existing ones.
- Acceptance and approvals of project scope and cost proposals
- Emerging technology/upgrades presented to the team because of staying current on the latest approaches.
- Delivery of reports and analysis related to security issues so that appropriate measures are taken, and risk minimized.
Work Environment
This role is based at the Conexus office in Toronto with the opportunity to work remotely 1-3 days per week.
Conexus employees are expected to consistently demonstrate our core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Sustainability and Agility, specifically:
- Acting with respect, transparency and commitment in all relationships and decisions
- Fostering connection, trust and shared success by bringing the industry together across borders, disciplines, and perspectives
- Driving forward-thinking solutions and accelerating advancements that shape the future of nuclear energy
- Delivering exceptional results and value to advance a clean energy future that supports people, the planet, and progress.
- Adapting and evolving to meet challenges and realize opportunities in an ever-changing global landscape
At Conexus, we recognize that supporting our valued employees' wellbeing extends beyond compensation. We offer a total rewards program that includes a pension plan, an annual health spending account, a fitness subsidy as well as life, health, dental and disability benefits, complemented by a truly flexible, hybrid work arrangement.
Pay Transparency
Starting salary will be aligned with a candidate's demonstrated qualifications, experience, skills, and internal pay parity.
Diversity & Inclusion
Conexus has earned recognition as a diversity leader in the nuclear industry, particularly for our work advancing women in engineering. We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and we welcome applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. Accommodations are available on request throughout the selection process.
A Note on AI in Conexus' Hiring Process
Conexus may use artificial intelligence (AI) or other technology-assisted tools as part of the recruitment and selection process. These tools are intended to support and never replace human decision-making.
If you have questions about this job posting, including accessibility needs, please reach out to Human Resources on Careers@conexusnuclear.org
