What are the responsibilities and job description for the Background Record Check Specialist I position at Dept of Early Education & Care?
This position offers some flexibility of office location within the hybrid work model currently being observed.
The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is an agency focused on building a coordinated, comprehensive system of early education and care services in Massachusetts. EEC’s mission is to lead the way in helping Massachusetts’ children and families reach their full potential. By providing and coordinating a range of services and assistance, EEC will continuously improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of early education and care in the Commonwealth.
EEC seeks an individual for the role of Background Record Check Specialist I. The purpose of this work is to coordinate and monitor the processing of Background Record Checks by performing a wide range of functions including:
- Communicate with Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) regarding work flow between their agencies and EEC’s BRC unit;
- Review CORI & DSS findings received from CHSB and DSS; code CORI and DSS findings in accordance with EEC regulations - updating the database with the appropriate coding;
- Notify EEC applicants for Family Child Care licensure and In-home non-relative providers licensed programs of DSS and CORI findings;
- Redact DSS investigation reports in accordance with EEC/DSS policy, and BRC reports in accordance with established guidelines;
- Review and Access BRC discretionary applications for applicants for licensure and submit a written recommendation and rationale to the Assistant General Counsel regarding the applicant’s suitability to care for children;
- Open, sort, and distribute mail and facsimiles addressed to the Background Check Unit;
- Check background check applications for completeness and accuracy and data-enter information into EEC database;
- Answer telephone inquiries concerning the status of a background check request;
- Provide technical assistance to ECC licensed programs, ECC staff, and background check applicants regarding reading and understanding CORI and DSS reports and the EEC background check regulations, policies and procedures;
- Draft written correspondence to ECC licensed programs as needed;
- Maintain confidentiality of CORI and DSS information to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations concerning access to and dissemination of CORI and DSS information;
- Receive & review CORI results from CHSB, determine the appropriate crime category and code the ECC CORI database accordingly;
- Receive & review DSS check results from the Department of Social Services and update the EEC database with the results;
- Work closely with field staff to share information and facilitate completion of the background check process;
- Mail background check results to the requesting entity;
- Review discretionary applications and access applicants’ suitability to care for children, based on the BRC findings and their completed discretionary applications;
- Act as a liaison between EEC’s BRC unit and CHSB, DSS, and EEC licensing staff;
- Other related duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned unit activities;
- Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations;
- Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures;
- Ability to determine proper format and procedure for assembling items of information;
- Ability to maintain accurate records;
- Ability to prepare general reports;
- Strong organizational skills;
- Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence;
- Ability to follow and give written and oral instructions in a precise understandable manner;
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression;
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others;
- Ability to deal tactfully with others;
- Ability to work independently;
- Ability to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements;
- Ability to exercise sound judgment;
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information;
- Strong experience with Microsoft Office applications.
As a condition of employment, you must be deemed suitable to access criminal data by Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) based on an extensive criminal background verification conducted by DCJIS. If DCJIS determines that you are not suitable to access this data, an adverse employment action, up to and including termination, may be issued.
Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to Dawn.E.DeRoche@mass.gov.
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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