Background Investigator (Full-Time)

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THIS IS AN INTERNAL "ONLY" JOB POSTING, AVAILABLE TO CURRENT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY.

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This Position is ONLY Open to Montgomery County Government Employees:

1. Current Montgomery County Government employees;
2. Montgomery County employees who were affected by reduction-in-force and currently have RIF priority rights;
3. Active Montgomery County local fire and rescue department volunteers with at least 50 points under the length of service award program (LOSAP); or
4. Active Project SEARCH Interns or former Montgomery County Government Customized Employment Public Interns, or Project SEARCH Interns within 24 months of completion of internship.

WHO WE ARE

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) is made up of approximately 1,300 sworn officers and approximately 800 support personnel. The Police Department was established in 1922 and today is responsible for providing service to a County with a population of over one million people.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

MCPD Personnel Division is seeking an individual that has Law Enforcement employee background investigative experience. Can handle a large workload and work closely with applicants applying for Sworn and Professional Staff positions.

A Background Investigator will ensure the most qualified applicants for both sworn and professional staff positions are selected for positions with this agency. The Background Investigator will assess an applicant’s suitability for a position with the Montgomery County Police Department. An incumbent in this class conducts thorough and objective background investigations of applicants to determine employment suitability

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts thorough and complete background investigations according to department policies, applicable laws, and procedural requirements; reviews applications/personal history statements (and other documents, as required to determine suitability) for completeness and directs applicants to provide additional information if needed; obtains proper information release documents.

• Contacts and conduct face-to-face investigative interviews of applicants, applicant personal references and applicant employment references; develops and pursues lines of inquiry. Effectively communicates both orally and in writing.

• Collects, verifies, and analyzes personal, professional, credit/financial, military, driving and educational documents; contacts other agencies, governments, and professional organizations to obtain and verify information. 
• Researches, obtains, and reviews data from various databases and information systems to verify information and/or check for inconsistencies related to applicant information. Utilizes law enforcement databases to collect civil and criminal history information.

• Must be able to interact professionally with others, speak for extended periods of time in person and over the phone and transcribe all obtained information into clear and concise letters, memorandums, and reports.

• Prepare comprehensive investigative reports and executive summaries that clearly communicate findings.

• Make well-supported recommendations regarding an applicant’s suitability for employment.

• Assists outside agencies when appropriately requested to provide background information regarding previous applicant background investigation, answers applicant questions.

• Attends training sessions, seminars and conferences; trains and advises others as required. May be required to travel to interview sources and verify information.

• Manages confidential information with care and discretion, observing the Privacy Act, ADA, and working independently, establishing work priorities and coordinating work to meet deadlines.

• Employee must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation to be able to access information required to perform the work of this position

This position requires out of the office work traveling to various locations to conduct investigations.

Experience: Two (2) years of investigative experience related to police or employment background inquiries or directly related to conducting public safety pre-employment background investigations.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.