Under general direction of the Administrative Police Sergeant, schedules, monitors the progress, and conducts background investigations for prospective employees and performs related work as required.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

• Meets with and interviews applicants to obtain information relevant to the background investigation.
• Interviews friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and others to obtain and corroborate information.
• Contacts various agencies, creditors, former employers, and others to seek and verify information.
• Accesses computerized law enforcement databases, public record files, and various information systems to locate information.
• Explains background procedures to applicants and keeps them apprised throughout the process.
• Drives to various locations such as residences and places of employment to verify information.
• Interfaces with Police Department members, City staff, governmental agencies, and vendors throughout the background process.
• Prepares detailed reports on individual investigations and submits findings with recommendations to police management.
• Notarizes various documents as needed.
• Operates Live Scan machine to fingerprint applicants.
• Attends continued professional training to maintain standards.
• Audits background files for purging.
• Assists with equipment inventory.
• May be required to travel to other cities and states.
• May be required to work shifts, holidays, and/or weekends.

Education/Training/ Experience:

• Requires a High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent AND two (2) years of experience conducting background investigations for employment purposes, general law enforcement, human resources, or other investigation or analysis.
• Prior experience in a law enforcement agency is highly desirable.

• Must have a valid CA driver’s license at the time of employment.
• A commission as a notary public, as well as a completion of a P.O.S.T. background investigator’s course is highly desirable.
• Completion of a P.O.S.T. background investigator’s course is required prior to conducting investigations and may be provided by the City if necessary.

• Candidates must successfully complete an extensive background investigation, which may include a polygraph test, and psychological and medical examinations prior to appointment.
• In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Manhattan Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.