Background Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview

The HdL Companies help cities, counties and special districts maximize revenues through research and discovery efforts, financial and economic analysis, and provision of software that supports local government operations in a variety of important ways. We are regarded as a leader, occupying a specific niche in the financial services sector and serving over 900 local governments nationwide. Leveraging our talented team of professionals, along with leading edge software and database systems, HdL discovery efforts have recovered over $3 billion for our local government partners.

Core Values

HdL team members individually and collectively aspire to the following core values:

Deliver Excellence In Everything – We anticipate needs and believe that delivering extraordinary service, inside and outside our organization, is key to our success. We passionately pursue excellence in everything we do.

Do The Right Thing – We always act in the best interests of our company and our clients. We are respectful, have high integrity, and are accountable for our actions.

Foster Relationships – We build lasting relationships based on trust with our teams and our clients. We value collaboration toward our common goals and inspire each other to improve and progress.

Give Generously – We give generously of our time and resources with our teammates, clients and communities. We impart information for best practices, encourage professional development, and support charitable community organizations.

Enjoy The Journey – We enjoy our journey and enthusiastically celebrate our successes. We have fun and find fulfillment working with our colleagues and clients.

Be Authentic, Grateful, and Humble – We are thankful for the success we have achieved individually and as a company and never take it for granted.

Location Profile

We offer a flexible work environment that allows our employees to collaborate across offices and remote teams. All new hires must complete an introductory period after which 2 days per week are required in the office, other days may be remote. This role is based in our Brea, CA location.

Position Summary

Under the Background Supervisor, the major purpose of this position is to conduct POST-compliant pre-employment, public safety backgrounds of sworn and non-sworn law enforcement officers, public safety dispatchers, fire marshals and fire investigators, and civilian police department staff.

Job Responsibilities

Background Investigations

• Exercise discretion when managing investigative timelines, prioritizing multiple investigations and organizing investigative leads; Interpret data received through FBI, DOJ, DMV and Military agencies;
• Analyze and interpret State and local laws, regulations and procedures; Interpret criminal history, polygraph, and psychological reports;
• Analyze court dispositions, writs, judgments, criminal & civil protective orders, domestic violence restraining orders and child custody arrangements;
• Evaluate, recognize and examine discrepancies in profit & loss statements, bank statements, corporate financial reports and personal financial statements;
• Search for and Analyze information received through government databases, credit reporting agencies, tax and legal filings, and other resources;
• Analyze reports to identify discrepancies in order to draw logical conclusions for investigative findings;
• Schedule and conduct in-person and virtual one-on-one interviews;
• Maintain written and verbal communications with psychologists, physicians, polygraphers, city executives, and human resource representatives;
• Organize all investigative material in accordance with established state and individual departmental procedures.
• Analyze, prepare and negotiate professional service contracts;
• Assist with the Contract Administrator’s responses to RFP’s;
• Monitor contract activities and report to supervisor contract balances and service limitations;
• Maintain personal expense reports and client billing ledgers;
• Track client contract performance data;
• Respond to and resolve client complaints;
• Seek out and develop professional relationships with financial institution, educational institutions, law enforcement and military organizations.
• Attend training and maintain required certifications.
• Travel on temporary duty assignment to conduct background interviews and investigations.

Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of public safety policy and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex ideas and information in order to present findings in a succinct, understandable format, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a MS Window based operating environment, including proficiency with MS (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and eSOPH and Guardian Alliance law enforcement background software, and related programs.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple investigations with multiple clients.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of personal information.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, Public Administration, Political Science and Government, Criminal/Civil Law, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field of study.
• Two years of investigative experience can be a reasonable substitute for an undergraduate degree.
• Three years of experience with a law enforcement agency as a criminal or background investigator.
• Experience with exercising independent judgment and decision-making abilities while carrying out job functions with or without direct supervision or instruction.
• Experience in conducting in-person and virtual one-on-one interviews and interrogations.
• Experience in developing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with clients, executives, contractors, law enforcement agencies and other governmental organizations.

Special Requirements

• Obtain and maintain current Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Background Investigators certification or have an approved professional training plan (for internal HdL candidates).
• Possess a valid Class C California Driver’s License and valid automobile insurance.
• Ability to travel on temporary duty assignments as needed (by car or plane).

Compensation

The starting base salary for this Brea, CA position is expected to be between $27.16 to $33.65 per hour. Actual salary will be determined based on skills, experience (to the extent relevant) and other job-related factors, consistent with applicable law.

Benefits

1. Competitive Base Pay
2. Opportunity to participate in 401k
3. Medical, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, LTD and Employee Assistance Program
4. Paid time off for Vacation, Sick and Holidays
5. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (learn more about the HdL ESOP at: https://www.hdlcompanies.com/about/careers)