Background Records Technician - Technician III

The position is located in the Division of Child Welfare, Provider Services Unit. The Division is responsible for the ongoing implementation of child welfare services in Colorado and supervises county departments of human/social services in the administration of Child Welfare programs, as well as privately operated 24-hour care facilities and agencies and day treatment facilities. The Provider Services Unit exists to license, manage, supervise, and provide statewide oversight for privately operated 24-hour childcare facilities and agencies, to include Residential Child Care Facilities, Secure Residential Treatment Centers, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities, Homeless Youth Shelters, Specialized Group Homes and Centers, Qualified Residential Treatment Programs, Child Placement Agencies, Adoption Agencies, Respite Child Care Centers, and Day Treatment Facilities across the State of Colorado. The goals of the unit are to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the youth served in those facilities and agencies. The work unit is responsible for comprehensive integrated licensing and monitoring of the 24-hour childcare facilities and agencies and to audit and investigate reports/allegations involving licensing violations, facility or agency culpability, and to ensure the safety of children in out-of-home placements.

The Background Investigation Unit will exist to provide a comprehensive pre-licensing background program for the Provider Services Unit within the Division of Child Welfare and the Colorado Department of Human Services to reduce the risk to vulnerable persons in licensed facilities and agencies. The unit staff will screen applicants who are applying for employment in child care facilities licensed by human services, foster care, adoptions, interns, community mental health, and individuals to provide better protection for children in the State of Colorado. The unit staff will provide information for interpretation of background statutes, function as the statewide authority in background screening program development, operation, and updates.

This work unit also performs background screens using the Department’s automated data system “Trails.” The Trails system captures reports of child abuse and neglect that have been called into the child abuse and neglect hotline and/or investigated by county departments of human/social services. Individuals seeking employment involving children, foster care placements, adoption, and volunteer activities are required to be screened against this data. This unit provides information to other states, for example, when former Colorado residents seek to be foster care parents or facility staff in the state they currently reside. This unit also ensures proper handling of revenues received for fees that are charged for background screens

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

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

Summary of Job Duties:

Criminal Background Check - Process requests for background checks regarding the criminal history of individuals working in a child care capacity that is licensed under the Provider Services Unit. Requests for background checks include the analysis of Criminal Justice Information (CJI) received from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a result of fingerprint-based submissions for such checks. The evaluation and scrutiny of each record also involves obtaining and reading court dispositions, review of the Integrated Court Online Network (ICON), understanding legal reporting requirements, addressing inconsistencies, creating/modifying internal procedures, processes, and training manuals, and providing consultation. Reviews CJI data and integrates evaluation results into the unit’s data system and generates the appropriate response form for release back to the requesting party or their designee.  

Trails Abuse and Neglect Background Check - Serves as a work unit technical expert in the area of child welfare system confidential background screens.  Independently researches, analyzes, interprets, and applies statutes, rules, procedures, and practices to ensure that the Trails Abuse and Neglect background screening process is completed accurately and according to federal and state statutory requirements. Provides the final review and evaluation of documentation submitted by facilities, individuals, and applicants for accuracy and completeness to determine that requests are in compliance with Department requirements. Reviews Trails data, and integrates evaluation results into the unit’s data system and generates the appropriate response form for release back to the requesting party or their designee. Evaluates and interprets inconsistencies, unclear data, and incomplete information in the Trails system to determine whether the applicant matches the information in Trails.

Technical Assistance-Customer Service - Responds to customer inquiries concerning the background investigation process and the status of individual background screens. Responds to complaints from customers concerning the process and investigates and resolves the concerns using independent judgment and professionalism. Provides technical assistance to licensed providers, counties, local agencies, individuals, schools, and other state agencies concerning the procedures, policies and guidelines of the unit. Utilizes discretion to determine prioritization of emergency and non-routine requests for expedited background screens. Works as part of the Background Investigation Unit team developing procedures, evaluating and improving processes and forms, and produces informational summaries as requested. Provides training to other BIU staff, department staff, county staff, and other customers on the processes and procedures involved in the background screening function.

Research and Analyze Data - Independently researches, analyzes, interprets and applies rules, procedures, statutes, policies and practices regarding agencies and facilities licensed as defined in Section 26-6-903, C.R.S of the Licensing Act and individuals as it pertains to criminal background checks and child abuse/neglect background investigations. Reviews and evaluates corresponding statutes, rules, regulations, and procedures for application in the final determination of eligibility regarding an applicant’s record. 

Other Duties as Assigned - Performs other duties as assigned
Experience Only:

Three (3) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR 

Education and Experience: 

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to three (3) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CJIS Trained
• Experience Processing Criminal History Record Information
  
  

Conditions of Employment

• Standard Background ALL CDHS - CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license) 
• Other –  This position will have a hybrid working location. 
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s 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 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.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review 

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. 

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.     

Supplemental Questions 

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 (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.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact brennon.watts@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.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

Salary : $43,932 - $70,284