Background Check Specialist

Job Posting Title Background Check Specialist Agency 265 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Supervisory Organization Department of Education–Oliver Hodge Education Building Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank) February 21, 2024 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank) Full/Part-Time Full time Job Type Regular Compensation up to $40,000 based on education and experience Job Description ABOUT US At the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), we go beyond merely offering jobs – we actively seek out extraordinary individuals to join our team.
As the primary agency entrusted with overseeing K-12 public education in Oklahoma, we are steadfastly devoted to making a meaningful impact on the districts and students we serve.
Our exceptional team at OSDE is renowned for its commitment to superior customer service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter future for students across the state.
We work hand-in-hand with over 500 school districts and maintain a close partnership with the legislature, ensuring that each and every Oklahoma student receives the exceptional education they deserve.
If you're in search of a fulfilling career that allows you to make a profound difference in the lives of children, you've arrived at the right place.
Join us in our mission to empower students and elevate the standard of education in Oklahoma.
For further insights into OSDE, please visit our website at www.
sde.
ok.
gov.
JOB SUMMARY The Background Check Specialist at the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the thorough and accurate processing of background checks for teacher applicants and school employees.
This position encompasses various responsibilities, including live-scan fingerprinting, data management, and communicating policies to stakeholders.
The Background Check Specialist works closely with the Background Check Operations Manager to support the department's commitment to maintaining a safe and secure educational environment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Associate degree in business or related field [official transcripts required upon hire]; Two (2) years of experience in background check processing or administrative roles; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of relevant experience for each year of the required education.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Knowledge & Expertise: Proficiency in using office software and database management systems.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and procedures.
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information with discretion.
Fingerprint Live Scanning: Conduct live-scan fingerprinting procedures for teacher applicants and school employees to initiate the background check process.
This biometric data is used for criminal background checks and identity verification.
Retrieve fingerprint results from a secure email account and promptly update relevant records.
Criminal Background Checks: Conduct criminal background checks on individuals by submitting their fingerprints to law enforcement agencies and databases.
Database Management: Manage databases containing fingerprint records and background check results, ensuring the accuracy, security, and confidentiality of this sensitive information.
Maintain detailed records of background check requests, fingerprints collected, and outcomes.
Policy Communication: Effectively communicate fingerprinting policies, procedures, and requirements to educators, school officials, and the general public through both oral and written means.
Ensure that all background check procedures align with legal and regulatory requirements.
This includes staying up to date with changes in background check laws and policies.
Quality Control: Specialists review and verify the accuracy of collected fingerprints and background check results.
They may need to resolve discrepancies or inaccuracies.
Mail Sorting: Sort incoming mail and input relevant information into the database for further processing.
Report Generation: They generate reports summarizing background check results and provide these reports to relevant parties, such as hiring managers or decision-makers.
Criminal Charge Investigations: Collaborate with the Background Check Operations Manager to assist in investigating criminal charges as they relate to background checks.
Certification System Updates: Update and maintain fingerprint results in the online certification system to ensure compliance with background check requirements.
Professional Demeanor: Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude at all times; ability to build and maintain positive work relationships; demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of your work; ability to display a high level of professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance; ability to accept constructive feedback to increase performance.
Attendance: Regular and reliable in-person attendance is required to ensure quality teamwork, performance, productivity, and collaboration; ability to demonstrate a commitment to your work and team by committing to punctuality and dependability in the work environment; this includes arriving to work on time, being present, engaged, and available to colleagues, internal and external customers.
Innovation: Ability to identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the education landscape; ability to think critically, explore new ideas and embrace innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for all students; apply creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking in finding solutions to complex problems and driving positive change in the field of education.
Efficiency: Ensure our resources are utilized effectively, and our operations are streamlined; optimize our processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance; proactively identify opportunities for efficiency gains and implement best practices.
Superior Customer Service: Willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding assistance that exceeds expectations, ability to create positive experiences and build relationships based on trust and satisfaction; maintain a positive and helpful attitude using the appropriate language, tone, and behavior to reflect the agency in a way that leaves a positive and favorable impression.
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES Effective Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas, while also listening actively to others and demonstrating understanding; Ability to demonstrate empathy by showing respect and understanding for the feelings and perspectives of others while paying close attention to non-verbal cues; Ability to adapt communication style to suit the needs of the audience and situation.
Take a proactive approach and work independently: Be resourceful and self-motivated, prioritize work effectively by managing your time well, anticipating challenges, developing creative solutions, paying close attention to detail, and taking ownership of your work.
Collaborate as a team player: Ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal.
Including being openminded, respectful, and responsive to others’ ideas and perspectives.
Sharing knowledge and experience while being committed to achieving the teams’ objectives and understanding the importance of working collaboratively to achieve success.
Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills: Ability to set clear objectives, create a plan of action, break down complex tasks into manageable components, delegate tasks when necessary, and establish a realistic timeline to meet deadlines consistently while developing contingency plans to ensure adaptability to changing circumstances.
Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, patterns, connections and develop effective logical solutions; Ability to think critically, anticipate potential problems and develop innovative solutions to address them.
Ability to function well in an, at times, stressful, fast paced and deadline driven environment: Ability to work under pressure and in situations where time is limited whilst remaining calm and focused, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to changing circumstances.
Ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders: Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration, leverage resources effectively, and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes.
Possess strong interpersonal skills in order to resolve conflicts and manage difficult conversations in a constructive and professional manner.
Knowledge of technology and ability to use it to maximize efficiency and services: Ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve customer experiences; Familiarity with software, hardware and other relevant technological tools while being able to learn new technologies as they emerge.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Location: Oliver Hodge Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Work is typically performed in a climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise.
While performing the duties of the job, employee is frequently required to talk, stand, walk.
This position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computer and phone.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time; Ability to stand, reach and bend 50% of the time; Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, office telephone 75% of the time; Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time; Communicate with others accurately and effectively 100%; Ability to lift to 25 lbs.
TRAVEL Less than 10% travel required.
TELEWORK The position is ineligible for telework.
BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS Generous benefit allowance in addition to salary to off-set insurance costs, more information at https://www.
ebd.
ok.
gov 11 Paid Holidays 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year Compensatory Time for FLSA Exempt and Nonexempt Employees Teacher’s Retirement System (TRS) participation with all contributions paid by the employer, more information at https://www.
ok.
gov/TRS Employee Assistance Program Longevity Bonus for years of service SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship; Successful completion of a pre-employment background check; Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.
S.
state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.
EEO STATEMENT The Oklahoma Department of Education provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
In addition to federal law requirements, OSDE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
DISCLAIMER This job description is intended to provide a general understanding of the position's essential duties and responsibilities.
It is not an employment contract or agreement, and the duties may change as per business needs without prior notice.
The employer reserves the right to modify, revise, or terminate any policies, procedures, or benefits described herein at any time, with or without notice.
Equal Opportunity Employment The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions through their Workday account.
Go to Careers app on WD home screen>Click on 'Find Jobs-Internal State of Oklahoma'.