Pre-Employment Pre-Employment Background ChecksBackground Checks

Amy Bouck, Risk ManagerAmy Bouck, Risk ManagerCounty of San DiegoCounty of San DiegoDepartment of Human ResourcesDepartment of Human Resources

OutlineOutline• Background of Program• Purpose of Background• Who Needs a Background Check• Job Related Activities & Types of Checks• Services Utilized• Sample Forms• Disqualifying Criteria & Results Procedures• Appeal Process

BackgroundBackground• County of San Diego, Department of Human

Resources, Background Investigation Unit was established in 2003.

• Developed to supply comprehensive background investigation services to Departments without resources to perform them.

Purpose of Background CheckPurpose of Background Check• To ensure timely identification of any history,

criminal or otherwise, which could adversely affect job performance or public safety.

• To determine suitability for employment and/or any incompatibility with the activities and interactions required by the job.

• All New Hires• Temporary Workers• Intermittent Workers• Student Workers• Volunteers • Interns• Employees Receiving a Promotion and/or a Change

in Job Duties• Department Transfers

Who Needs a Background Check?Who Needs a Background Check?

Job-Related ActivitiesJob-Related Activities• Direct Contact with Children• Access to or Handle Cash and/or Other Funds• Benefit Determination Responsibilities• Access to Information that is Restricted by Law• Drive on Work-Related Business• Entering Executive Management or Unclassified

Management

Types of BackgroundsTypes of Backgrounds• Criminal History• Credit Report• Department of Motor

Vehicles• Education Verification

Services UtilizedServices Utilized• Department of Justice

– Criminal History– Live Scan

• Department of Motor Vehicles– Driving Record

• 3rd Party Reports– Criminal History– Social Security

Verification– Credit Report– Education Verification

Sample FormsSample Forms

Disqualifying CriteriaDisqualifying Criteria• Backgrounds Reports are Reviewed on a Case-by-

Case Basis• Multiple Level Review• Disqualification Decision

– Sex Related Convictions, as Defined by CA Education Code Section 44010

– Nature & Recency– Non-Disclosure

Result - PassResult - Pass• Pre-employment Medical Exam

– Leonel v. American Airlines

Result - FailResult - Fail• Notice to Applicant• Notice of Adverse Action

– Mailed within 7 Days• Remove from Employment List, if Applicable

Appeal ProcessAppeal Process• Civil Service Rules

– Appeal to Director of Human Resources– Appeal to Civil Service Commission

Questions?Questions?

Amy BouckAmy Bouckamy.bouck@sdcounty.ca.gov