Human Resources Specialist IV - HR Investigations

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is seeking a senior-level Human Resources Specialist IV focused on HR investigations and complex background screening. This onsite role in Austin, TX supports employment, contract employee, and volunteer onboarding by conducting and analyzing criminal, child abuse/neglect registry, and driving record checks.

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct complex, senior-level human resources management work performing background checks for applicants for employment, employees, contract employees, and volunteers.
• Complete criminal history background checks using the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) to access Texas and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) data, including identification of prior convictions, arrests, outstanding warrants, and public sex offender registration information.
• Request the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to conduct a check of the Central Registry of reported cases of child abuse or neglect.
• Perform driving record checks as part of the screening process.
• Retrieve and review information from automated systems, including TLETS and TJJD internal databases.
• Monitor training compliance for the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) database and maintain required access-related performance.
• Contact representatives from local, state, and/or federal jurisdictions to request criminal record information; review and analyze court dispositions; and resolve discrepancies between retrieved records and information provided by applicants, employees, contractors, and volunteers.
• Respond to questions regarding the criminal background and child abuse registry check process.
• Monitor and follow up to ensure receipt of requested information, review results for criminal history minimum standards, and present findings to HR staff, management, and other appropriate parties.
• Prepare and edit reports, correspondence, statistical tables, forms, and tracking logs related to background check activity.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation to HR staff and decision authorities on background check processes, including interpretation of policies, procedures, and guidelines; support staff in development and integration of new or revised methods and procedures.
• Collaborate with HR staff on objectives and goals by sharing information, identifying concerns and trends, and recommending improvements; support planning and implementation of special projects, policies, procedures, and forms relevant to background check and HR investigative processes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• May serve as a lead worker by providing direction to others.
• Report safety hazards and correct hazards when possible.
• Complete required documentation in the event of an accident or injury within requested time frames.
• Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• One year of full-time wage-earning human resources experience, or general office experience that included human resources-related functions.
• Must meet and maintain eligibility criteria established by the Texas Department of Public Safety to access TLETS.
• Within six months of hire, complete 8 hours of TLETS training (Less Than Full Access Operator).
• Failure to meet and maintain TLETS eligibility criteria and access will result in termination of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or a closely related field.
• Experience conducting investigations and/or background checks.
• Experience using CAPPS HR or PeopleSoft HR.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.).
• Experience using a relational data base system.
• One year of appropriate experience may substitute for one year of college (30 course hours) on a year for year basis.
• Completed course hours of undergraduate study may substitute for up to four years of experience on a basis of 30 course hours for one year of experience.
• Completed course hours of graduate study may substitute for up to two years of experience on a basis of 12 graduate course hours for one year of experience.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification can substitute for one year of experience.
• Pro-rated part-time experience may satisfy the experience requirements.
• Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or required course hours must be from an accredited educational institution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of human resources management principles and practices, including selection and hiring, employment, and employee relations.
• Knowledge of background check principles, techniques, and procedures.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing personnel activities, background checks, and criminal history records.
• Skill in interviewing and in using computer systems, HR-related software, and standard office equipment.
• Skill in data entry and data analysis.
• Skill in oral and written communication, including clear communication of facts and ideas.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate information and documents, and to seek out relevant data for analysis.
• Ability to handle information with strict confidentiality, maintain fairness and impartiality, and support fair decision-making.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures to staff and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, employees, and the general public.
• Ability to provide training and assistance to others.
• Ability to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek and travel occasionally.

Required and Relevant Technologies

• Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS)
• Texas/National Crime Information Center
• Central Registry of reported cases of child abuse or neglect
• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) database
• CAPPS
• PeopleSoft HR
• Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)
• Relational data base system

Physical Requirements

• Alphabetizing; analyzing
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to see and identify colors
• Depth perception
• Operate motor equipment; ability to hear (with or without aid)
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.; carrying up to 25 lbs.
• Pushing; pulling
• Repeated bending; reaching above shoulder
• Dual simultaneous grasping; manual/finger dexterity

Compensation and Location

• Location: Austin, TX (onsite)
• Salary: USD 5,000 to USD 5,333 per month

Benefits

• Retirement plan
• Paid group health & life insurance for employee
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation leave
• Paid sick leave
• Longevity pay
• Educational assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental (optional add-on benefits)
• Vision (optional add-on benefits)
• Optional Life Insurance (optional add-on benefits)
• Voluntary AD&D Insurance (optional add-on benefits)
• Dependent Health & Life insurance (optional add-on benefits)
• Health & dependent care flexible spending accounts (optional add-on benefits)
• Hazardous duty pay (certain designated positions)
• Career ladder advancements

Military and Veteran Information

• To receive veteran’s preference, attach a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) to your application.
• For Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk, visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

Additional Information and Application Notes

• If you are scheduled for an interview and require reasonable accommodation, inform the hiring representative who schedules the interview and provide sufficient time for consideration when possible.
• Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• Due to high volume of applications, telephone calls are not accepted.
• If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may check status by accessing your profile and selecting “My Job Applications” from the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
• Application status portal: https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant
• The Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or in the provision of services.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
• Sponsorship: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

How to Apply

• Submit an application with complete job histories, including job titles, employer name, dates of employment (month and year), direct supervisor name and phone number, description of duties performed, and whether the role was full-time or part-time with hours per week.
• If required information is missing, the application may be rejected as incomplete.
• Resumes do not replace the required job history information.
• Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.
• Work in Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered.
• CAPPS Recruit access/login for the questionnaire: https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psc/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?FOCUS=Applicant