City and County of Denver

Pre-employment Background Investigator - Department of Safety

City and County of Denver · Denver, CO

  • On site
  • Part-time
  • $65,000 / year
  • Denver, CO

Job highlights

  • Conduct background investigations for public-trust positions.
  • Conduct remote and in-person interviews.
  • Verify applicant information with references.
  • Write detailed investigative reports.
  • Ensure integrity of hiring for Sheriff Department.

About the role

About Our Job

This is a limited, on-call position with an anticipated end date of 12/31/2026. This is an on-call position which will work no more than 39 hours per week. The City and County of Denver is expanding our Pre‑Employment Background Investigations Team to support the Denver Sheriff Department by conducting comprehensive pre-employment background investigations for public‑trust positions. This team plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity and suitability of candidates selected for positions. We are seeking a highly motivated professional with experience conducting pre‑employment background investigations, preferably within public safety or government settings. This position is remote; however, applicants must live within a commutable distance, 100 miles, of Denver. The role includes both in‑person and video-based investigative interviews.

Key Responsibilities Include:

  • Conducting comprehensive pre‑employment background investigations for Denver Sheriff Department applicants, including assessments of character, conduct, employment history, criminal history, driving records, illegal drug use, and related factors
  • Completing required video interviews with applicants to gather detailed information relevant to suitability for public‑trust roles
  • Contacting supervisors, co‑workers, and both listed and developed employment and personal references to verify and expand upon provided information
  • Writing high‑quality, well‑structured investigative reports in alignment with established guidelines, demonstrating strong analytical and documentation skills
  • Verifying and clarifying applicant information through follow‑up inquiries and additional research as needed
  • Making diligent attempts to corroborate any adverse, inconsistent, or derogatory information uncovered during the investigation
  • Traveling as needed for in‑person file reviews or investigative requirements
  • Maintaining strict confidentiality of all investigative materials and sensitive applicant information

If you are energized by supporting the hiring of qualified professionals for the largest sheriff’s department in Colorado, we encourage you to apply.

About You — Our Ideal Candidate:

  • Minimum of 2–3 years of pre‑employment background investigation experience, ideally involving public‑safety or government positions
  • Strong investigative report‑writing skills with the ability to clearly document findings
  • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
  • A collaborative, team‑oriented approach with the ability to work independently

Minimum Requirements:

Education requirement: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET or TASC Certificate. Experience Requirement: Two (2) years of previous background investigation experience. Education/Experience Equivalency: Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements. License/Certifications: Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application. Licenses and certifications obtained must be kept current as a condition of employment.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CL0360 Investigations Technician

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Oncall

Position Salary Range

$27.89 - $43.23

Target Pay

Based on Experience and Education

Agency

Department of Safety

Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies

City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.

Key skills/competency

  • Background Investigations
  • Investigative Report Writing
  • Public Safety
  • Government Investigations
  • Character Assessment
  • Conduct Assessment
  • Employment History Verification
  • Criminal History Checks
  • Reference Checks
  • Confidentiality

Skills & topics

  • Background Investigator
  • Pre-employment Screening
  • Investigations
  • Denver Sheriff Department
  • Public Safety
  • Government Jobs
  • Remote Work
  • On-call
  • Report Writing
  • Background Checks

How to get hired

  • Tailor your resume: Highlight 2-3 years of background investigation experience, especially in public safety or government roles, and showcase strong report-writing skills for the Pre-employment Background Investigator position.
  • Emphasize key skills: Clearly list your experience with character assessment, reference checks, and maintaining confidentiality, aligning with the requirements for the Denver Sheriff Department.
  • Address remote work: Mention your ability to conduct remote and in-person interviews and your proximity to Denver (within 100 miles) to meet the role's location requirements.
  • Prepare for the interview: Be ready to discuss your investigative process, attention to detail, and collaborative approach, demonstrating your suitability for this on-call role.
  • Submit application early: Apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without advance notice for this limited, on-call position.

Technical preparation

Practice writing concise, factual investigative reports.,Familiarize yourself with background check processes.,Review methods for verifying employment and references.,Understand data privacy and confidentiality principles.

Behavioral questions

Describe handling sensitive or adverse information.,How do you ensure accuracy in your work?,Tell me about a time you collaborated effectively.,How do you manage multiple investigations simultaneously?

Frequently asked questions

What is the work arrangement for the Pre-employment Background Investigator role at the City and County of Denver?
This Pre-employment Background Investigator position is remote. However, applicants must reside within 100 miles of Denver, CO, as the role involves both in-person and video-based investigative interviews.
What are the minimum experience requirements for the Pre-employment Background Investigator position?
The minimum requirement is two years of previous background investigation experience. Experience in public safety or government settings is strongly preferred for this role supporting the Denver Sheriff Department.
Is this a full-time or part-time position at the City and County of Denver?
This is an on-call position, meaning it is not a standard full-time role. Employees will work no more than 39 hours per week, and the position has an anticipated end date of 12/31/2026.
What type of investigations will a Pre-employment Background Investigator conduct for the Denver Sheriff Department?
The Pre-employment Background Investigator will conduct comprehensive pre-employment background investigations for public-trust positions within the Denver Sheriff Department. This includes assessing character, conduct, employment history, criminal records, driving records, and drug use.
What are the essential skills needed for the Pre-employment Background Investigator role?
Key skills include strong investigative report-writing, exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, the ability to conduct thorough assessments of character and conduct, and effective communication for interviews and reference checks.
Does the City and County of Denver offer accommodations for applicants with disabilities for this role?
Yes, the City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities and offers accommodations. Applicants needing language assistance, sign language interpretation, or other disability-related accommodations should contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days' notice.
What is the salary range for the Pre-employment Background Investigator position?
The salary range for this on-call position is $27.89 - $43.23 per hour. The target pay will be based on the candidate's experience and education.