Sheriff's Background Investigator

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Sheriff’s Department. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Sheriff’s Department located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Direction is provided by the Sheriff’s Personnel Lieutenant. Responsibilities may include limited supervision of Sheriff’s Personnel Office Administrative staff.

Typical Duties

A Background Investigator is a civilian employee who conducts and compiles personal and professional background investigations for public safety candidates by interviewing employers, co-workers, neighbors, law enforcement officials, military personnel, members of the candidate's family, and personal references; prepares reports on findings; makes recommendations as to background findings; and performs other related duties. Reviews candidates’ completed background interview forms (e.g., City application, Personal History Statement, Release and Waiver, polygraph report) with each candidate to check for inconsistences, errors, omissions, falsifications and minimum requirements to ensure accuracy and completion before conducting the candidates’ background interview; obtains and reviews records (e.g., police department check, campus police check, driving record, Child Abuse Central Index, and Firearms Certification) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), and State and Municipal law enforcement to determine if a candidate was a witness, victim, suspect or perpetrator of any crime.; obtains and reviews arrest reports, witness statements, and other relevant documents from various agencies (e.g., police, military, courts, or campus police) to determine candidate compliance with POST requirements, and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Investigation standards; Interviews candidates’ employers, co-workers, neighbors, law enforcement officials, military personnel, members of their family and personal references via phone, email, and in-person, to determine candidates’ character, honesty, work ethic, integrity, and assessing overall qualifications for the position; Makes follow-up inquires to candidates’ personal and professional references via phone, email, and in-person to assist in determining credibility of candidates’ statements; Observes each candidate during initial contact of a background investigation for the presence of physical indicators of intoxication and/or use of controlled substances; Writes detailed and complete interview statements obtained from various sources (spouse/ex-spouse check, law enforcement references/checks, clarification interview summary) and completes interview forms (e.g., residence check and employment check) for each interviewee in order to allow a reviewer (e.g., Background Unit team leader, group supervisor, case manager, and hiring department representatives) to draw reasonable and logical conclusions about the candidates; Completes final background investigation packages for presentation to supervisor and management by organizing all investigative material in a specific order in accordance with established background procedures and POST requirements; Keeps an electronic log on an ongoing basis to track the progress of each investigation in order to keep management apprised of the status of investigations and identifying staff productivity; Writes a final overall summary and recommendation based upon objective analysis and evaluation of the candidate’s complete background, including the Personal History Statement, interviewee statements, and all other information gathered in the investigation, as measured against background standards set forth by Sheriff’s Office standards for review by management; Trains new Background Investigators in the techniques, concepts, and administrative procedures related to background investigations (e.g., interviewing techniques and requesting government records) to ensure the standardization and quality of all investigations; May act as a lead to staff involved in the related duties of a Background Investigator (e.g., reviewing cases, case assignment, monitoring productivity, timekeeping, discipline, and performance evaluations).

Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

Employment Standards

Education and Experience: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and three (3) years of investigative experience with a law enforcement agency or as a background investigator.

Knowledge of: Research methods and procedures necessary to the completion of comprehensive background investigations; applicable Federal, State and Local laws and regulations; investigative principles and techniques; interview techniques and proper report writing; basic principles and practices of personnel management related to applicant recruitment and selection procedures.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; establish cooperative relationships with other agencies and outside entities; maintain confidentiality; read and write at a level necessary to perform the duties of a Background Investigator; effectively communicate information to co-workers, superiors, and the public’ write clear, concise reports; understand and follow directions.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of: Criminal Investigative procedures; POST standards; STC standards; Computer Voice Stress Analysis standards within the State of California

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 3

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annualbenefit amountis provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision and life).This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMOmedical plans which include PPOand HMO dental plans andinclude dentalandvision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, andVision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

Closing Date/Time: 5/9/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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Visalia, California United States View Map