Entry Level Background Investigator Jobs in Nevada

Salary: $102,377.60 - $133,120.00 Annually
Location : Reno, NV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 60016701 (08/2026)
Department: Community Services Department
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Position Information
Please click here for the Total Compensation Package for this job classification which includes county paid employee health benefits after 30 days of employment, county paid retirement benefits, vacation accruals, etc. The Total Compensation Package outlines the various benefits offered by Washoe County and the annual earnings based on the entry level salary for the job classification.
Under general direction, manages the development of plans and designs for the Capital Projects Division in the Community Services Department; carries out all phases of construction management during projects; and performs related work as required.
This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill a current full-time vacancy in the Community Services Department. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at
Minimum Qualifications
Four years of full-time experience performing project management in public works, engineering or construction work AND a bachelor's degree in architecture, architectural engineering, construction management, engineering or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
License Or Certificate
A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a dynamic and detail-oriented project manager with a proven ability to balance competing priorities while meeting the needs of diverse stakeholders. They bring a collaborative, results driven work style and a strong reputation for accountability and professionalism. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the candidate can effectively coordinate with contractors, internal departments, community partners, and regulatory agencies. They are proficient in project management software and tools that support scheduling, documentation, risk assessment, and progress reporting. The ideal individual has extensive experience managing project budgets and expenditures, including compliance with federal funding and grant documentation requirements. They are capable of contributing throughout all phases of project planning, design, permitting, construction, and inspection for new facilities, remodels, and tenant improvements. Additionally, they possess advanced forecasting and scheduling abilities and can oversee complex capital improvement projects from pre bid conferences through final inspection. A strong commitment to safe work practices within construction environments rounds out their qualifications.
Conditions of Employment
The Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) Supervisory Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covers the Project Manager position.
Background checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Per the Washoe County Background and Reference Checks Policy, new and rehired employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation. Effective January 1, 2025, the $39.00 fee associated with this background investigation will be paid by the employee (if applicable) and deducted automatically from the first paycheck. Employment is contingent upon the results of the background check, although a record of conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment.
Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work.
Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater.
What Happens Next
1. After your application is screened, you will be notified via the email you provided whether you have met the minimum requirements for the position. Those applicants who do not meet the qualifications have one (1) business day to file an appeal and request a review of their qualifications. Written appeals should be submitted via email to the assigned Human Resources Business Partner using the contact information listed on this job announcement.
2. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will receive an email invitation to take the Professional Level online exam administered remotely; notices will be delivered within 1 week from the closing of the recruitment.
This exam link will tentatively be delivered via email the week of September 14, 2026 and qualified candidates will have a time limit to complete the exam, within 4 calendar days. **You will be notified if you are eligible to transfer an exam score within 1 week following the closing date of the recruitment.
The exam will evaluate your expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Reading Comprehension
• Written Communication
• Analytical Ability
• Business Math
• Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills

Pursuant to the Washoe County Personnel Handbook, the Department of Human Resources does not administer an exam when there are less than 20 qualified candidates. Once the recruitment has closed, if there are less than 20 qualified candidates, the exam will be waived and all qualifying candidates will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department. If the exam is scheduled to move forward and less than 20 candidates take the exam as determined by the Department of Human Resources, the exam will be waived. Only those candidates who took the exam or have a transfer score will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department.
3. After the exam is completed, you will receive an additional email notifying you of the results. If you pass the examination, you will receive your score and rank. This rank will be used to determine which candidates will be interviewed by departments trying to fill a vacancy.
4. Hiring departments schedule interviews from a list of top scoring candidates. If your name is not sent to the hiring department, it will remain on the list for future opportunities as they become available.
5. Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and select:

• "Applications" to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing, and your applicant history for each recruitment.
• "Inbox" to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment
• "Account" to update your contact information. Please note to update your phone number on previously submitted applications you must contact

If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process you can find additional information at the following link:
Questions: Veronica North
775-328-2078
Veteran Point
Eligible veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces shall receive one (1) bonus point upon passing Open Competitive examinations only. In order to be given a bonus point, applicants must attach proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-214 with Classification of Discharge) to the Online Application at time of submission.
Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.
Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.

• Nevada PERS Retirement - Washoe County pays 100% of the PERS contribution for each benefit eligible employee.
• Health, Dental, Life and Vision Insurance - Washoe County contributes 100% of the premium for each employee. Washoe County also contributes 50% of the premium for dependent coverage. Note: New employees are automatically enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account. Washoe County contributes up to $2,500 annually (based on benefit effective date and coverage tier) into the employee's Health Savings Account (HSA). Newly hired employees become eligible for health benefits after 30 days of employment. Benefits Link -
• Deferred Compensation plans available
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Accrual (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)
• Sick Leave (120 hours per year, increasing with continued employment)
• Longevity Pay
• Merit Increases - Full-time employees eligible to receive an annual merit increase of 5% until the position classification's maximum salary is reached.
• Cost-of living adjustments - historical annual COLA increases for 2017-2026 have ranged from 2.5% - 5.0%
• There are no Social Security deductions (although a 1.45% deduction for Medicare is required)
• Nevada does not have state or local income tax*