Background Investigation Unit Technician IV - Technician IV

Full Job Description

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

This work unit exists to provide a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation program for the Colorado Department of Human Services (“CDHS”), as it is the intent of CDHS to minimize the potential for hiring and employing persons with a propensity toward abuse, assault, or similar offenses against others for positions that would provide them with unsupervised access to vulnerable persons.

Provide information for the interpretation of background statutes, function as the CDHS authority in background screening program development, operation, and updates.

Develop, train, and facilitate the CDHS substance abuse and drug testing program for applicants for positions working within CDHS.

Responsible for conducting all background checks, analyzing the results, and communicating such to those who need to know.

Requirements

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

This position exists to provide technical assistance by using judgment, technical knowledge, computer skills, and employing research tools available to the Department employees, agencies, and public through the interpretation of laws, rules, policies, procedures, and processes directly related to background investigation functions.

Assists the Background Investigation Unit (BIU) manager and other BIU employees by applying knowledge of and/or interpreting information and advising/educating others on technical background investigation issues or matters.

Researches and draws on learned knowledge to exercise judgement in providing quality customer service.

The position reviews and makes recommendations to the overall content, order, and format of background investigation procedures and processes.

Delivers solutions to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, and highly understandable format to ensure the continued success of the BIU.

Duties

• Completes research and analysis of pre-employment background reports, providing interpretation and making recommendations for employment based on statute and policy as it relates to CRS 27-90-111, the Vulnerable Persons Act.
• Completes analysis of pre-employment background checks for non-direct contact positions, including IRS Publication 1075 checks.
• Runs motor vehicle record checks for all employees required to drive state vehicles to determine eligibility based on safe driving standards established by state rule.
• Manages employee subsequent arrests, reasonable suspicion testing, and random drug and alcohol testing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience Only:

Four (4) years of experience utilizing various databases and vendors to conduct in-depth criminal, child abuse, and at-risk adult history searches—including CBI/FBI reports and court records—while demonstrating the analytical skill to adjudicate employment eligibility based on convictions, internal policies, and legal statutes.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of education in criminal justice, a law-related degree, sociology, or human resources, and experience utilizing various databases and vendors to conduct in-depth criminal, child abuse, and at-risk adult history searches—including CBI/FBI reports and court records—while demonstrating the analytical skill to adjudicate employment eligibility based on convictions, internal policies, and legal statutes equal to Four (4) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Confidential Record Management: Proven track record of managing 100% of confidential employment records in full compliance with HIPAA, PII, and internal privacy protocols.
• Background Investigations: Successfully conducted and documented complete background investigations, including the secure handling of CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services).
• Legal & Regulatory Mastery: Demonstrated ability to apply State Personnel Board rules and federal/state employment laws to resolve complex HR cases.
• Communication: Ability to draftprofessional reports, memos, and email correspondence, including assisting with creating and presenting unit presentations to leadership.
• Systems Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in two or more enterprise IT systems.
• Project Management: Managing multiple concurrent projects/tasks from initiation to completion, meeting 100% of established milestones and deadlines.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to resolve systemic or interpersonal challenges by developing creative solutions that resulted in a measurable increase in process efficiency.
• Adaptability & Initiative: Successfully integrated new policy changes and process improvements into daily workflows within required deadlines.
• Self-Management: Consistency met or exceeded weekly productivity targets while managing a multitasking environment with minimal supervision.
  • Initiative & self-management; the passion and ability to dive into the work and accomplish tasks within established timeframes; ability to multitask and produce quality results to include data entry and project management.

Conditions of Employment:

• Travel – Explain: Not more than 5% in order to provide training and attend meetings as needed
  

FULL BACKGROUND CHECK: This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111).

"Direct contact" means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee.

"Direct contact" may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.)

• This position requires fingerprinting for CJIS certification, and therefore, a full background check is needed.
  Full background checks include: CBI & FBI fingerprint check, Colorado Court Database check, Medicare Fraud Database, and TRAILS Database check.

• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

  1. Disclose that information on the application.

  2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.

  3. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination, and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications.

Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position.

You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process.

You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review
After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from a Standardized Testing

Your Work Experience/Job Duties
Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.

• You can find the official appeal form here.

• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or

  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Additional Information

• The Assessment Process

• For additional recruiting questions, please contact jessica.stroman@state.co.us.

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).

Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado.

Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve.

We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services.

Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.

The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g.

uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).

Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.