Background Investigation Unit Technician IV

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Please note: This recruitment will be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days in the office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

This position exists to provide technical assistance by using judgement, technical knowledge, computer skills, and employing research tools available to the Department employees, agencies and public through the interpretation of laws, rules, policies and 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 advise/educate 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 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.

Direct contact pre-employment background checks under C.R.S. § 27-90-111 - Serve as CDHS's technical expert in the area of pre-employment criminal backgrounds checks, which includes: a fingerprint-based national criminal history search, a Colorado Court Database search, a pre-employment drug test, a Medicare fraud check, fitness-for-employment check, a TRAILS database check (for those with contact with children), and a Colorado Adult Protective Services (CAPS) database check (for those providing direct care with vulnerable adults). 
Utilize independent judgement to research, analyze, interpret and apply rules, procedures, statutes, policies and practices regarding a covered worker’s suitability for employment under C.R.S. § 27-90-111, while minimizing the potential for hiring and employing persons with a propensity toward abuse, assault, or similar offenses against others for positions that provide them with unsupervised access to vulnerable persons. Ensure CDHS doesn’t consider arrests that have not resulted in a criminal conviction when the criminal case is not actively pending, convictions that have been pardoned, and convictions that have been sealed or expunged. Utilize independent judgement to determine if a misdemeanor offense committed in another state, but the elements are substantially similar to the elements of an offense described in C.R.S. § 27-90-111.

Non Direct Contact and IRS Publication 1075 background checks - Assist appointing authorities in analyzing the requirements under C.R.S. § 24-5-101(4), by considering the information found in the background check that relates specifically to the covered worker's ability to successfully perform the duties of the position without risk. Use independent reasoning in order to determine whether the four (4) steps in this statute result in a covered worker's disqualification. These decisions are made on a case by case basis utilizing independent judgement to determine disqualifications.
Ensure employees with access to Federal Tax Information (FTI), are cleared to do so based on an analysis of the results of a IRS Publication 1075 background investigation.

Subsequent arrest, Reasonable suspicion, and Random testing - Research subsequent arrest information received from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (“CBI”) against the information contained in the Colorado Court Database to independently determine if there's any additional arrest information. Utilizing independent judgement, decide whether or not a subsequent arrest is a disqualifier under C.R.S. § 27-90-111 or C.R.S. § 24-5-101, notify supervisors, appointing authorities and HR Business Partners (“HRBP”), and provide them with complete and thorough interpretive information as a baseline for their decision making concerning eligibility of a covered worker for continued employment. Ensure confidentiality compliance with Public Law 92-544 related to information provided by the FBI..

Billing  - Manage the billing process for invoices from our third party finger printing, CBI Name check, CBI finger printing and drug testing vendors. Run reports in the Background Tracking System (BTS) database for the billing cycle associated with invoice. Reconcile names and charges on the report with names and charges on associated invoice. Compare the invoices with actual tests conducted. Complete a receiving report for each invoice. Verify charges with the invoice. Dispute charges when they are incorrect.  Create billing sheets for each CDHS agency and submit them to Accounting.  Billing sheets list each employee in said agency that received the services reflected on the invoice. Accounting requests verification for each employee. Research discrepancies if an agency denies responsibility for charges.  

Other Duties As Assigned - This position works with a team to develop procedures, evaluate/improve processes, produce informational summaries, data summaries, letters, etc.  Assist manager with designing/modifying current BTS system, develop and deliver training to other CDHS staff.   Make badges for volunteers, interns, students and contractors. Performs other job related duties as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Option 1: Experience Only:

Four (4) years of relevant experience in performing pre-employment background checks.  Experience should include running CBI and FBI reports and researching court records.  Experience analyzing and interpreting convictions and determining employment eligibility as it relates to policy and legal statute.  Experience using various databases and vendors to conduct in-depth record searches that provide criminal history, child abuse history and/or at risk-adult abuse history.

OR

Option 2: Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a law-related field, sociology, or human resources and/or relevant experience in  performing pre-employment background checks.  Experience should include running CBI and FBI reports and researching court records.  Experience analyzing and interpreting convictions and determining employment eligibility as it relates to policy and legal statute.  Experience using various databases and vendors to conduct in-depth record searches that provide criminal history, child abuse history and/or at risk-adult abuse history equal to four (4) years.

Substitutions

• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis (e.g. Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a law-related field, sociology, human resources etc.)
  

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Confidential Record Management: Proven track record of managing 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 draft professional 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 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: Consistently met or exceeded weekly productivity targets while managing a multitasking environment with minimal supervision.

• COWINS Partnership Agreement: Relevant years of State service, prorated for part-time, that contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior, or other posted competency should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process. 
• TRANSFERS ONLY : Relevant years of State service will be considered as a preferred qualification and given the weight of at least 15% of the overall score under the process.

• Full Background: CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): 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.
  

  CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, TRAILS (child abuse / neglect database system check), Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)

• Travel -  Ability to travel to attend required meetings, work events, trainings, etc. throughout Colorado

• 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.

Important Note: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, CDHS's hiring teams consider only the contents of your application to determine meeting minimum qualifications and for the comparative analysis process. 

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.

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 in the application form. 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.

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing. 

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.     

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers  based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

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 ([email protected]), 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.

• How to apply to the State of Colorado (Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

• The Assessment Process

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.

• 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.

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 [email protected].

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.

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.