Background Investigator

Under direct supervision, 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 candidates’ family and personal references; prepares reports on findings; makes recommendations as to background findings.

(Essential function, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.  This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Reviews completed background interview forms of public safety candidates with each candidate, checking for inconsistencies, errors, omissions, falsifications and minimum requirements to ensure accuracy and completion before beginning initial candidate interview. 
• Obtains and reviews records from Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and State and Municipal law enforcement records, where candidate has resided to determine if candidate was a witness, victim, suspect or perpetrator of any crime. 
• Obtains and reviews arrest reports, witness statements, and other relevant documents to determine candidate compliance with Civil Service Commission policies. 
• Obtains and reviews reports from credit reporting agencies in order to evaluate candidate’s financial responsibility. 
• Conducts background investigations by interviewing employers, co-workers, neighbors, law enforcement officials, military personnel, members of the candidate’s family and personal references; · Makes additional inquiries to assist in determining credibility of statements. 
• Observes each person being interviewed for the presence or absence of physical indicators of intoxication, the use of controlled substances, truthfulness, etc. 
• Prepares detailed and complete interview statements for each person being interviewed in order to allow a reviewer to draw reasonable and logical conclusions about the prospective candidates. 
• Prepares final background investigation package for presentation to supervision and management by organizing all investigative material in accordance with established procedures. 
• Meets regularly with management and/or candidate in order to keep them apprised of the status of the investigation.
• Prepares detailed summary of adverse information based upon objective analysis and evaluation of candidate’s background, and interviewee statements, as measured against requirement standards as set forth by Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
• May train new investigators in the techniques and concepts of administrative background investigation.
• May supervise or act as a lead worker to staff involved in the above duties; May occasionally be assigned to other duties for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Five years of full-time law enforcement experience that includes two years or equivalent experience involved in background investigations for employment or criminal matters.  Must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of positive selection standards as set forth and required by Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) documentation.
• Knowledge of confidentiality laws and issues such as confidentiality of personnel records, handling requests for information on candidates from operating departments, public, or the media.
• Knowledge of rationales for confidentiality sufficient to ensure the integrity and personal privacy of candidate background investigation file and all information contained therein.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of confidentiality sufficient to recognize actions that may compromise the integrity of investigation or investigation file documents.
• Knowledge of various technical specialists available to assist in an investigation and when to request such assistance; objective symptoms of use of alcohol and commonly used controlled substances, sufficient to recognize when a person may be under the influence

• Skill in reading, comprehending, and interpreting detailed, complex written material.
• Skill in preparing clear, concise written reports.
• Skill in analyzing complex ideas or activities into smaller parts; simultaneously consider numerous facts, perceive patterns and relationships, develop theories about past occurrences based on numerous small bits of information or evidence, compare and interpret information, recognize and examine discrepancies, and draw logical conclusions.
• Skill in managing time sufficiently to prioritize and combine investigations when practicable to ensure timely completion.
• Skill in handling several cases at one time; · Utilizing appropriate investigative techniques for administrative investigation to frame a reflective image of the candidate’s background preparing and maintaining correspondence, reports, records, documentation, and files.
• Skill in communicating and dealing tactfully, persuasively, and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, management, and the public.
• Skill in demonstrating cultural sensitivity through tact and courtesy when dealing with individuals from various social, cultural, racial, and economical backgrounds.
• Skill in working cooperatively as part of a team; Remaining calm and focusing when interviewing distraught, angry, or combative persons.
• Skill in demonstrating effective interpersonal skills required to discuss matters which are of a sensitive and sometime inflammatory nature with candidates, supervisors and management. 
• Skill in listening, in person and on the telephone, as required to pay close attention to what is being said and ask follow-up questions.
• Skill in developing pertinent questions for interviews, perceiving when the person being interviewed has not understood, rephrasing/clarifying questions, following-up on unanswered questions or conflicting statements and keeping the interview focused on the material to be covered.

Salary : $26 - $30