Senior Background Review Investigator

Edward Jones; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and prescription drug coverage

Dental and vision insurance

401k retirement plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Edward Jones is seeking a Background Investigator to ensure suitability for employment across the US and Canada by conducting comprehensive background reviews. The role requires applying EEOC, FCRA, and various employment laws, and coordinating with candidates, vendors, and regulators to complete reviews in line with policy.

The position emphasizes confidentiality, documentation, and decision-making skills, with opportunities for training and advancement within the compliance function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or demonstrated knowledge in human resources, criminal justice or paralegal studies preferred.
• 2+ years of industry and/or Compliance experience preferred.
• Ability to handle high volume requests in a deadline-driven environment.
• Detail oriented with strong decision-making skills and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individualized background reviews for candidates in the US and Canada.
• Apply EEOC, FCRA, and employment laws regulations to background reviews.
• Coordinate with vendors, candidates, and regulators to complete reviews per policy.
• Review documents (court, police, tax, employment) for assessment outcomes.
• Decide on regulatory disclosures and respond to inquiries accordingly.
• Make hiring decisions and rescind offers when needed.
• Train and develop new background investigators.
• Maintain knowledge of internal, external, and third-party systems.

Skills

Attention to detail

Investigation skills

Decision making

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Criminal Justice/Paralegal

Tools

Background check systems

Job description

This job posting is anticipated to remain open for 30 days, from 02-Oct-2026. The posting may close early due to the volume of applicants.

Join a financial services firm where your contributions are valued. Edward Jones is a Fortune 500¹ company where people come first. With over 9 million clients and 20,000 financial advisors across the U.S. and Canada, we’re proud to be privately-owned, placing the focus on our clients rather than shareholder returns.

Behind everything we do is our purpose: We partner for positive impact to improve the lives of our clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. We are an innovative, flexible, and inclusive organization that attracts, develops, and inspires performance excellence and a sense of belonging.

People are at the center of our partnership. Edward Jones associates are seen, heard, respected, and supported. This is what we believe makes us the best place to start or build your career.

View our Purpose, Inclusion and Citizenship Report.

¹Fortune 500, published June 2024, data as of December 2023. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, the rating.

What You’ll Do:

• Responsible for ensuring suitability for employment of all Financial Advisor, Branch Office Administrators, HQ, and CWF candidates in both the US and Canada by conducting an individualized assessment/investigation using all information obtained during the background review.
• This role requires knowledge of and the ability to apply EEOC; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; state, local, and international employment ordinances; federal and state criminal and civil codes; employment law; insurance; FINRA and CIRO regulations related to background reviews, regulatory filings, employment rights, privacy, adverse action, statutory disqualification, or other employment disqualifications.
• Works directly with candidates, vendors, other business areas of the firm, associates, and regulators to ensure initial, ongoing and post disclosure background reviews are completed within department policies and processes.
• Responsible for identifying and reviewing court documents, police reports, credit reports, tax documents, employment documents, candidate statements, and other documents required to conduct an individualized assessment.
• Based on the outcome of the review and analysis conducted, determine whether regulatory disclosures must be made. Responds to FINRA Department of Justice and Disclosure Letter inquiries accordingly. This includes researching relevant local and state laws and determining reportability.
• Makes hiring decisions to approve or deny candidates after completing individualized assessment. Also rescinds employment offers as needed.
• This role requires a high level of confidentiality, strong documentation, decision making, and investigation skills; as well as project involvement in department and/or division initiatives.
• Training and developing new background review investigators.
• Knowledge of internal, external and third-party systems.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor's Degree or demonstrated knowledge and experience in human resources, business, criminal justice or paralegal studies preferred.
• 2+ years of industry and/or Compliance experience preferred.
• Ability to handle high volume of requests in a deadline driven environment while operating within policies and procedures.
• The ability to interpret and enforce firm policies and industry rules and regulations.
• Detail oriented, able to multi-task and strong decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

What Could Set You Apart:

Series 7 & 66 licenses (or equivalent) optional but may be required for advancement opportunities.

*Candidates that live within a commutable distance from our Tempe, AZ and St. Louis, MO home office locations are expected to work in the office four days per week.*

At Edward Jones, we are building a place where everyone feels like they belong. We're proud of our associates' contributions to the firm and the recognitions we have received.

Check out our U.S. awards and accolades: Insights & Information Blog Postings about Edward Jones

Check out our Canadian awards and accolades: Insights & Information Blog Postings about Edward Jones

Edward Jones does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

• Edward Jones' compensation and benefits package includes medical and prescription drug, dental, vision, voluntary benefits (such as accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness), short- and long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage.
• Short- and long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage are provided at no cost to associates.
• Edward Jones offers a 401k retirement plan, and tax-advantaged accounts: health savings account, and flexible spending account.
• Edward Jones observes ten paid holidays and provides 15 days of vacation for new associates beginning on January 1 of each year, as well as sick time, personal days, and a paid day for volunteerism.
• Associates may be eligible for bonuses and profit