Background Investigator

Salary : $38,985.00 - $55,559.00 Annually

Location : Richland County, SC

Job Type : FTE - Full-Time

Job Number : 173605

Agency : Department of Social Services

Division : Office of Inspector General

Opening Date : 02 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 21 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

Residency Requirement : No

Class Code : : AH35

Position Number : : 61015596

Normal Work Schedule : : Monday - Friday (8 : 30 - 5 : 00)

Pay Band : Band 5

Hiring Range - Min. : $38,985.00

Hiring Range - Max. : $55,559.00

Opening Date : 02 / 14 / 2025

EEO Statement : Equal Opportunity Employer

Agency Specific Application Procedures : : All applicants must apply online. All correspondence from DSS Human Resources will be made through electronic mail, unless otherwise indicated.

Veteran Preference Statement : South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful work in the community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of children, families, and vulnerable adults? Then the South Carolina Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you.

Job Duties :

• The Background Investigator manages and maintains all aspects of SLED / FBI fingerprint criminal history record information (CHRI) upon receipt; processes state / nationwide review, interpretation, and evaluation of SLED / FBI CHRI for child care facilities licensed by the Department. Informs facility and / or licensing authorities, in writing, of the results of the reviews. Stays abreast of state / federal licensing policies and procedures and state / federal laws and regulations effecting the day-to-day operations of the office.
• Manages the SLED Child Care Fingerprint Terminal by downloading SLED / FBI criminal history record information (CHRI); organizes, separates, names, and identifies electronic fingerprint results. Generates Excel Child Care / DSS HR (Personnel) Daily Logs via the Investigation database to track and compare CHRI. Notifies supervisor of any inconsistencies with the fingerprint results including rejections, missing fingerprint results, etc. Creates files in Issue Trak, attaches corresponding CHRI, and provides list of issues to be investigated to supervisor or director. Requests FBI name searches for child care / DSS personnel applicants (rejections).
• Provides prompt reviews and interpretation of SLED / FBI child care CHRI for county / regional / state office / child care staff and facility providers; reviews, researches, and evaluates state / federal criminal history background records by contacting Clerks of Court, Magistrate / Municipal Courts and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to seek clarification and / or completion of criminal background checks; provides written notification of the results to requesting facilities.
• Searches the South Carolina Judicial Public Index by county for conviction data and additional criminal arrests / convictions under the laws related to the uniform traffic tickets that would preclude an individual from working with children. Conducts NCIC National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Checks via SLED e-Agent and requests CLEAR risk analytic reports on child care applicants / employees as necessary.
• Enters required documentation into OIG's Invest and Issue Trak databases on case actions taken from time of initial action to closure; scans necessary documentation pertinent to each file into Issue Trak.
• Stays abreast of state / federal policies and procedures and state / federal laws and regulations associated with child care and SLED / CJIS FBI-NCIC; interprets and applies these state / federal policies, procedures, and statutes in the processing and dissemination of CHRI. Keeps SLED CJIS NCIC certification current by biennial training and testing.
• Acts as a liaison with inter-agency / intra-agency representatives to gather and disperse information regarding fingerprint criminal history results.
• Manages / maintains a log of CHRI lacking SSNs for child care applicants. Requests verification documentation (i.e. social security card / government issued ID) from the facilities and / or applicant required to process the fingerprint criminal history background investigation.
• Performs other related duties as required. Will be required to perform Red Cross shelter / emergency response duties as directed.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree and three (3) years of professional experience in social service programs, correctional, education, business administration, general administrative management or relevant program experience.

A Master's Degree and one (1) years of professional experience in social service programs, correctional, education, business administration, general administrative management, or relevant program experience.

Additional Comments

This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.

Must have valid driver's license. Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing), type, and work in a high-paced environment Employee may be required to perform job-related duties (teleworking) from home or another location on a full or part-time basis thus reducing or eliminating commute time.

If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exception benefits package that includes :

Division : Office of Inspector General / Richland County

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note : The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

Have you ever been terminated or forced to resign from any job? If yes, please explain.

I understand that supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. If there are any periods of time when you were not employed, you must also list those periods on your employment application. A resume cannot be substituted for completing work history and education sections of the employment application. Employment application will be considered incomplete and not forwarded. I have read and acknowledge the above.

I understand that by completion and submission of this application, that if I possess educational credentials that qualify me for the available DSS positions, I will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if selected for the position.

I understand that it is my responsibility to provide a certified official college transcript within two (2) weeks of employment in the event I am offered a position with the Department of Social Services.

If you selected "Yes" that you are a veteran, are you able to provide a Member 4, Service 2-Copy, or NGB22 DD-214?

Have you ever been employed by the State of South Carolina? If yes, please provide the state agency / agencies.

How did you hear about this job opportunity?

If you selected "Other" or "DSS Employee" in the previous question, please list the source below.

Which of the following best describes your highest level of completed education?

How many years of professional experience in social services programs, correctional, education, business administration, general administrative management, or relevant program experience?

Required Question

Salary : $38,985 - $55,559