Background Checks: Difference between revisions

== Policy Summary: Background Checks ==

PBEM volunteers often come into contact with vulnerable populations during a deployment, and volunteers have access to government-owned equipment and sensitive information. Therefore, '''PBEM requires all registered volunteers (NET, BEECN, and ATV) to undertake a criminal background check.''' The criminal background check is conducted at PBEM's expense, and completed every three years.

=== Forms ===

None.

=== Reason for Policy ===

* '''Screening for criminal history:'''  Prior convictions for violent crimes, sexual offenses, or fraud may indicate someone is not a good fit for a public-facing emergency role.

* '''Protecting other PBEM volunteers and staff:''' PBEM volunteers and staff operate in high stress environments and rely on trust and teamwork. Ensuring that all members have been vetted can enhance team cohesion and accountability.

=== Policy Statement ===

PBEM does not preserve the details of criminal background checks, and any information obtained through the check is deleted/destroyed after use.

=== Scope ===

This policy applies to all PBEM volunteers (NET or ATV) and all prospective PBEM volunteers.  

=== Responsibilities ===

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If you choose to have your background check run by PBEM, you will receive an invitation to complete the process from our third-party provider, '''Sterling Volunteers'''. Some of the language you encounter in that process might be confusing, so to clarify:

# You will be required to enter your '''Social Security Number'''. This is used by Sterling ''only'' for automated address verification. The City never receives or stores your SSN, and cannot use it for any other purpose. To be perfectly blunt, PBEM does not want the liability of possessing your SSN, which is one of the reasons we use this specialized service.

# You will see references to '''FCRA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act'''. This Federal law dictates the disclosures required for PBEM to obtain your consent. The name is misleading: We '''DO NOT''' check your credit, and we '''DO NOT''' report any findings to anyone outside the City of Portland government. Your credit rating is not relevant to your volunteer service, and cannot be viewed nor affected as part of this criminal background check.

== Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ==

''A: Never! PBEM will contact prospective volunteers at the appropriate time when their background check must be completed. Typically this is just before becoming an Active volunteer, near the end of Basic NET Training or after BEECN training. Active volunteers will be notified by PBEM when their check expires and must be renewed.''

''A: In order to keep costs down, PBEM runs background checks on prospective volunteers when [[PBEM Volunteer Types and Statuses#PBEM Volunteer Status|all other activation requirements]] are met for a volunteer (e.g. completion of basic training). PBEM has complete discretion concerning the timing of running a volunteer's criminal record check.''

===== Q: Does a poor driving record count in the criminal background check? =====

''A: Infractions (such as most speeding tickets) are immaterial in our criminal background check. If that were not the case, PBEM would have to fire Jeremy. However, a select few NET volunteers are certified as drivers for the bureau. A volunteer prospectively assigned to that detail will have their driving record evaluated with the volunteer's permission.''

If your question is not answered above, please [Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20question email us].

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