Police Background Investigator

City Of Gainesville, FL; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid leave

11 paid holidays a year

Pension plan

Deferred compensation plan

On-site fitness centers

Tuition reimbursement

On-site medical staff

Wellness program

Job summary

The City of Gainesville is hiring for a para-professional position in the Police Personnel Division to conduct pre-employment background investigations. The role requires coordinating information with others to determine applicant suitability for various police and civilian positions.

Essential duties include background screenings, report preparation, data analysis, and effective communication with applicants and departments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and two years of investigative experience in Law Enforcement.
• Police Applicant Background Investigations training course preferred or experience in police background inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Conducts background investigations for candidates for police officer and civilian positions.
• Provides employment clearance for applicants to be placed in police jobs and information to aid in making suitability determinations.
• Collects and analyzes information and data and prepares complex reports used to determine eligibility for employment.
• Conducts research and compiles/analyzes data.
• Prepares and submits precise and accurate background reports.
• Maintains confidentiality and adheres to Privacy Act requirements.

Skills

Background investigations

Report writing

Confidentiality

Interviews

Data analysis

Communication

Computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

If you are an Internal City Employee, Retiree or Dependent/Survivor of a City Employee please apply internally via Career Icon in your Workday account. Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department: GG_Police: Police Personnel Division

Salary Range Minimum: $15.06

Salary Range Maximum: $23.51

Closing Date: 11/02/2026

Job Details: This is responsible para-professional investigative work providing pre-employment background investigations. Screenings are generally of a cooperative nature and require coordinating information and actions with others in order to determine the applicant’s suitability for employment in certain positions. Positions allocated to this classification report to a direct supervisor and work under general direction. This work requires a wide range of knowledge encompassing both administrative and investigative processes of the City Government and knowledge of pertinent human resources program. The work performed in this class has an impact on hiring and retention decisions.

Job Description

SUMMARY This is responsible para-professional investigative work providing pre-employment background investigations. Screenings are generally of a cooperative nature and require coordinating information and actions with others in order to determine the applicant’s suitability for employment in certain positions. Positions allocated to this classification report to a direct supervisor and work under general direction. This work requires a wide range of knowledge encompassing both administrative and investigative processes of the City Government and knowledge of pertinent human resources program. The work performed in this class has an impact on hiring and retention decisions.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job. Performance of lower-level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conducts background investigations for candidates for police officer and civilian positions, including executive staff city positions.
• Provides employment clearance for applicants to be placed in police jobs; provide information to aid in making suitability determinations.
• Collects and analyzes information and data on assignment and prepares complex reports used to determine suitability and eligibility for employment in certain positions.
• Conducts research, usually requiring compilation and analysis of data.
• Preparing and submitting precise and accurate background reports.
• Handles confidential information with care and discretion; observes the Privacy Act.
• Establishes work priorities and coordinates them to meet deadlines in order to assure an efficient workflow.
• Represents the department/agency at meetings, hearings and conferences as required.
• Attend and successfully complete required training to gain access to search databases.
• Navigate investigative databases.
• Familiar with and able to access updated technology tools.
• Familiar with and able to use social media engines.
• Communicate efficiently and effectively with a high level of customer service.
• Effectively interacts and communicates with the public.
• Retrieving and reviewing applicants’ files and records for the purpose of identifying the eligibility of the applicant.
• Investigating all aspects of each applicant.
• Being consistent with the background process and following all procedures in the background packet and checklist.
• Communicating and following up with the applicant throughout the hiring process.
• Completing background investigations in a timely matter to meet hiring needs.
• Assisting with the selection process for the non-certified and certified applicants.
• Documenting all aspects of the background investigation to include the applicant’s progression or lack of progression.
• Keeping applicant’s records under retention regulations and confidentiality.
• Filing background packets securely.
• Performing preliminary background checks.
• Providing and submitting precise and accurate background reports.
• Communicating and making every effort to contact the applicant’s sources via phone, emails, in-person etc.
• Respond to employment verification request from external employers following public records request policies.
• Work with GPD records division to respond to public records requests.
• Utilize and Complete (Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) required forms.
• Complete background per (Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) standards and requirements.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple investigative cases simultaneously.
• Assisting with fingerprinting and issuing ID Cards.
• Performs related duties as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• May review the work of or provide direction to other background investigators.
• Accompanies sworn personnel in the field during background investigations.
• Assists in providing most relevant background investigation procedures for the department.
• Prepare background investigative packets and present to supervision and executive command staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED and two (2) years of investigative experience in Law Enforcement. Preference will be given to those candidates who have successfully completed a Police Applicant Background Investigations training course or have experience in investigating police or civilian background inquiries.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

• Valid Florida Driver License required within 30 days of appointment.

Certifications

• Must obtain successful completion of the earliest available Police Applicant Background Investigator Course.
• Must obtain National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and/or Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) within one (1) year of start date, if applicable.
• Must maintain NCIC and/or FCIC Certifications.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of procedures and operations necessary to investigate employment and other background information on applicants for city police department positions. Ability to act independently while following department guidelines and policies. Knowledge of personnel principles and practices sufficient to conduct pre-employment background inquiries. Knowledge of the methods, principles and techniques associated with research, data collection and report writing. Ability to analyze and interpret data and write reports. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to act effectively in diverse interpersonal settings.

Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports. Ability to obtain relevant and accurate information through interview, interrogation and observation. Ability to maintain security and confidentiality.

Working knowledge of computers and relevant software and the ability to apply such knowledge in the performance of job duties. Ability to take direction from supervision. Ability to deal tactfully and equitably with people and to effectively communicate. Ability to use computers and applications is necessary to collect and analyze data and display this information using modern information technology.

Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office as necessary.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Mostly sedentary work that requires the employee to sit for prolonged periods of time and involves walking or standing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work may require attending meetings and community events outside of regular business hours, including nights, weekends and holidays. Work may require travel outside the city limits. Work may require conducting investigations and following up away from the office, traveling to job sites, neighborhood checks, meeting with applicants, etc. Note: May Require Assessment(s). May fill multiple positions. May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team!

The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on‑site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on‑site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

• health insurance
• life insurance
• paid leave
• 11 paid holidays a year
• a pension plan
• a deferred compensation plan
• on‑site fitness centers
• tuition reimbursement
• on‑site medical staff
• a wellness program

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring.

Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position.

Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference.

State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at [e-mail] or by calling 352-334-5077.

The City of Gainesville proudly employs more than 1,500 dedicated community builders who work every day to make a positive impact on our community.

Our team includes professionals from a wide range of fields, from creative innovators and financial experts to public safety personnel and critical infrastructure engineers.

We offer diverse and rewarding career opportunities across many departments and service areas, including General Government, Gainesville Police Department, Public Works, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Information Technology, Gainesville Fire Department, Regional Transit System, and more.

No matter your background or expertise, you'll find meaningful opportunities to grow your career while serving the Gainesville community.