Job Description
Summary:
Under general supervision of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Deputy Inspector, the Background Investigator conducts pre-employment backgrounds and assists the OPR Inspector and the OPR Deputy Inspector with tasks. The Background Investigator must follow directions, meet deadlines, have good attendance, be punctual, be reliable, have honesty, and integrity, be free of moral turpitude, and have a proper attitude.
Responsibilities: - Conduct preliminary backgrounds on all candidates referred by Human Resources.
- Conduct in-depth full background investigations, including reviewing criminal, employment, financial, educational, and personal histories.
- Interview candidates and references, including former employers, neighbors, and family members.
- Verify information provided by candidates, such as employment history, education, and certifications.
- Collect and analyze relevant documents, including police reports, credit reports, and personal references.
- Prepare comprehensive reports detailing investigation findings for review by hiring authorities.
- Disclose background investigation results to Command staff and Sheriff Office Human Resources.
- Adhere to legal, ethical, and departmental standards throughout the investigative process.
- Maintain confidentiality and integrity of all investigations and related materials.
- Communicate effectively with candidates, colleagues, and external agencies.
- Represent the Hays County Sheriff’s office in a professional and positive image.
- Stay updated on current investigative techniques, legal requirements, and department policies.
- Prepare and submit reports of background screening. • Assist the OPR Inspector or Deputy Inspector as directed.
- Maintain accurate documentation on assigned investigations electronically and in hard copy forms.
- Perform other duties as assigned and or necessary.
Knowledge Required:
- Professional knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, statutes, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
- Exceptional knowledge of document preparation and technology.
- General knowledge of customer relations.
- Professional knowledge of authorized methods of interviewing to obtain information, data and facts.
Skills Required:
- Strong attention to detail, organization, and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for administrative and technical purposes.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Familiarity with law enforcement procedures and investigative techniques is a plus, but training will be provided.
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and database management.
- Professional skills in interacting with individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds.
- Exceptional time management and organizational skills.
- Professional skills in developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relations and the ability to work independently.
- Exceptional skill in maintaining a calm and confident attitude.
- Exceptional skill in telephone etiquette and customer relations.
- Proficient skill in listening.
- General skill in operating standard office equipment, such as computers, calculators, and telephones.
Education and/or Experience equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis
- High school diploma or equivalent required, associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Law Enforcement, or a related field preferred.
- Prior experience in investigations, law enforcement, or a related field.
- Bilingual in Spanish, in addition to English.
Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Valid Class C Texas driver’s license and a clean driving record.
- Ability to pass a comprehensive background check and drug screening.
- Ability to attend specialized training in background investigative procedures.
Supervision
- The Background Investigator is required to satisfactorily perform the above duties and will be evaluated for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity.
- The Background Investigator does not supervise any employees.
Emotional Demands
This position must handle the stress level of dealing with some argumentative or emotional contacts within the general public and the Hays County departments. The Background Investigator routinely interacts with individuals in an open, public setting or an office environment. The contacts are generally cooperative however, this position may have to persuade, influence, motivate, or control situations where individuals may be fearful, skeptical, uncooperative, or dangerous. This employee may need to negotiate and persuade to receive information.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job as defined by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
- Use of his/her hands and fingers to handle or feel.
- Reach with hands and arms.
- Talk.
- Hear– Demonstrate the ability to clearly understand one-on-one conversations, communicate on the telephone, and be aware of any situations or conversations going on in your peripheral space for public safety issues. Occasionally stand, walk, kneel, or stoop.
- Crouching or crawling in restricted areas.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Vision acuity must be correctable to 20/20.
- Strenuous physical exertion, which may include defending oneself or others against physical attack.
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
Job Tags
Full time, Local area,