Here comes a curveball. Instead of focusing on the best way to find and screen DBA talent, spend that time looking for an excellent technical recruiter. Hiring talent is a specialty. If you don't do it every day, odds are you are going to do the process poorly.

Looking for a good recruiter also provides you with a better payback on your time. If you are in the business of managing personnel one constant is turnover. A good technical recruiter is a resource you will use for a long time. You may have to go through three of four to find the right one, but it will be worth it.

On the issue of cost, if you use a good recruiter your odds of placing your candidate on the first try are much higher. Compare that cost with going through 2 or three poor candidates over a years time.

BTW, I am not a recruiter, but I have seen the value a good one can bring...