Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

The Background Coordinator conducts background investigations of potential employees of the Turlock Police Department, as assigned; and ensures the legal requirements for all hiring processes have been met according to the Peace Officer Standards and Training and the California Department of Justice.

The Background Coordinator will conduct investigations of potential employees of the Turlock Police Department by interviewing employers, co-workers, neighbors, law enforcement officials, military personnel, members of the candidate’s family and personal references; prepare reports on findings; travel to and from various locations for the investigation; and perform other related duties as assigned by the Chief of Police.

The Background Coordinator performs other similar duties, as assigned, such as filing, copying, inputting data, answering phones, typing, formatting, and assembling reports. This position provided office assistance in accordance with approved internal policies and procedures. Personal contact with other law enforcement agencies and members of the public will be required to accomplish assigned responsibilities.

The Position requires knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation and written communication skills. This position also requires excellent customer service skills as well as the ability to operate various types of office equipment.

The Background Coordinator may also provide technical, administrative, clerical and investigative support to the Professional Standards Unit in a wide range of areas including assisting with conducting permit investigations and coordinating with members of the public and collateral agencies.

SB2 IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE

Under general supervision the Background Coordinator provides technical, statistical, administrative, and other analytical support and compliance of Senate Bill 2 (SB2) and its requirements including but not limited to decertification; performs research and special project management; supervises sensitive, confidential specialized record maintenance; oversees and ensures legal reporting compliance; supervises staff; and may fulfill other duties as assigned. The incumbent may be required to assist in public activities or meetings, and coordinate with other service areas, agencies, committees, boards, and commissions. Performs other job-related work as required and assigned.

Exercises policy interpretation and application for assigned program/functional area. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate technical competence while working as a team member and exercise independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive assignments.

This classification is assigned to the Confidential bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime, standby, call‑back and shift assignments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Supervision is received from a Police Chief or other Command-level position within the Police Department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Interviews candidates for employment regarding information provided to the Turlock Police Department in the Personal History Statement.
• Interviews references provided by the candidate including relatives, neighbors, current and former employers, and any other people as deemed necessary based on the investigation.
• Obtains other documents from the candidate to verify the suitability for employment, including but not limited to a credit history report and criminal history report; provides a narrative interpretation of the report.
• Obtains copies of all pertinent accident and police reports from law enforcement agencies, and any other documents as required for the background investigation.
• Prepares reports of backgrounds on candidates for employment consistent with Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) guidelines as well as Turlock Police Department policy.
• Interviews both cooperative and reluctant references.
• Keeps detailed and comprehensive notes on assigned investigations.
• Prepares reports that articulate the correlation between qualifying/disqualifying information and the job dimensions as recognized by POST.
• Travel by automobile or other means in areas outside of Turlock in order to gather background investigation information.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Confidentiality law related to personnel records, handling requests for information on candidates from other departments, agencies, public or media
• Rationales for confidentiality sufficient to ensure the integrity and personal privacy of candidate background investigation files and all information contained therein
• Principles and practices of confidentiality sufficient to recognize actions that may compromise the integrity of investigation or investigation file documents
• POST policies and procedures as they pertain to departmental policy
• SB2 compliance regulations
• Various technical specialists available to assist in an investigation and when to request such assistance
• Objective symptoms of use of alcohol and commonly used controlled substances, sufficient to recognize when a person may be under the influence
• Required training and certification requirements related to assigned program area
• A variety of automated and manual law enforcement systems
• Police department procedures and policies and Personnel Rules and Regulations
• Laws, codes, and regulations relevant to police operations and confidentiality
• Principles and practices of supervision
• Technical and operational aspects of assigned function or program area
• Statistical methods and principles
• Modern office procedures, and methods including computer equipment, word processing, spread sheet, data base, graphic presentations and other needed specialized software applications, and internet and electronic communication usage and methods
• Principles and practices of supervision, staff selection, training and personnel management
• Principles of effective record, file and archival management related to area of assignment
• Principles of effective time management
• Safe work practices and related regulations
• Principles of conflict resolution and excellent customer service
• Provisions, principles and practices of department structure and organization
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines
• Modern techniques for proper maintenance and destruction of police records and other documents
• Requirements and processes for Live Scan Fingerprint Program
• Stays current with laws related to POST policy, regulation and SB2 compliance
• Customer service techniques

Ability to:

• Apply Turlock Police Department policies, procedures, practices, and guidelines related to office administration.
• Use department operations and legal terminology
• Learn department organizational roles and responsibilities
• Interpret laws, regulations, and procedures and to ensure compliance in all areas and responsibilities.

• Navigate selection standards
• Learn to operate computers and various law enforcement software programs typically used in the position
• Read, comprehend and interpret detailed, complex written material
• Prepare clear, concise written reports
• Analyze complex ideas or activities into smaller parts; simultaneously consider numerous acts, perceive patterns and relationships; develop theories about past occurrences based on numerous small bits of information or evidence; compare and interpret information; recognize and examine discrepancies; and draw logical conclusion
• Manage time sufficient to prioritize and combine investigations when practicable to ensure timely completion
• Handle several cases at one time
• Utilize appropriate investigative techniques for administrative investigation to frame a reflective image of the candidate’s background
• Communicate and deal tactfully, persuasively and effectively with co-workers, supervisors, management and public
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity through tact and courtesy when dealing with individuals from various social, cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds
• Work cooperatively as a part of a team
• Remain calm and focused when interviewing distraught or angry persons
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills required to discuss matters that are of a sensitive and sometimes inflammatory nature with candidates, supervisors, and managers
• Listen, in-person and on the telephone, as required to pay close attention to what is being said and ask follow-up questions
• Develop pertinent questions for interviews, perceive when the person being interviewed has not understood, rephrase or clarify questions, follow-up on unanswered questions or conflicting statements and keep the interview focused on the material to be covered
• Understand processes and procedures and specific requirements of assigned program area
• Diagnose and troubleshoot complex problems and provide and coordinate appropriate solutions
• Work with and control sensitive and confidential information and assure security for assigned program area
• Create and maintain accurate and detailed record keeping systems
• Facilitate and coordinate meetings or training
• Develop and implement policies and procedures
• Plan, initiate, manage and complete complex and multiple simultaneous work assignments or projects with a minimum of direction
• Use computer and needed programs in a highly effective manner
• Organize, analyze, manage and implement a variety of programs
• Establish and maintain respectful, effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Communicate effectively, orally, electronically and in writing
• Successfully complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified SB2 Course
• Successfully complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Background Investigators course or training program
• Interpret laws, regulations, and procedures and to ensure compliance in all areas and responsibilities
• Compile information for statistical reports.
• Establish and maintain tactful, courteous, and effective working relationships with others
• Provide lead supervision
• Handle multiple priorities, organize workload and meet strict deadlines
• Resolve problems
• Make effective decisions
• Take appropriate action in a variety of work situations
• Understand and comply with complex state and federal regulations, laws, codes, policies as related to assigned program area

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Three years of law enforcement experience where duties consist of investigation, report taking, or other relevant law enforcement research experience.

Education:

Possession of an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university with significant course work in the areas of Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Administration of Justice or related field; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, minimum Class C, at time of application and proof of automobile liability insurance; to be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Successfully complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Background Investigators course or training program.

Successfully complete a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Background Investigators course or training program and Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) SB2 training program within the six (6) months of employment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Prior experience as a Law Enforcement Background Investigator; notary public

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: Vision adequate to operate vehicles and office equipment, read instructions and follow directions; hearing adequate to converse on telephone and in person; body mobility adequate to drive and perform required office duties including reaching and bending for files and related office items; use of hands and fingers adequate for operating vehicles, writing, typing, computer, copier, and fax machine and related functions; ability to lift office files, binders and small office equipment, as needed.