Background Checks: Difference between revisions
From Portland NET Wiki
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
=== Forms === | === Forms === | ||
None. | None. When a volunteer is supposed to have their check completed, they will receive an email notification. | ||
=== Reason for Policy === | === Reason for Policy === | ||
| Line 42: | Line 40: | ||
* '''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. | * '''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. | ||
Criminal background checks for emergency management volunteers is consistent with other public safety and emergency personnel policies. | Criminal background checks for emergency management volunteers is consistent with other public safety and emergency personnel policies. | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
| Line 49: | Line 46: | ||
PBEM does not preserve the details of criminal background checks, and any information obtained through the check is deleted/destroyed after use. | PBEM does not preserve the details of criminal background checks, and any information obtained through the check is deleted/destroyed after use. | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
=== Scope === | === Scope === | ||
This policy applies to all PBEM volunteers (NET or ATV) and all prospective PBEM volunteers. | This policy applies to all PBEM volunteers (NET or ATV) and all prospective PBEM volunteers. | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
| Line 63: | Line 58: | ||
; PBEM volunteers and prospective volunteers ("trainees") | ; PBEM volunteers and prospective volunteers ("trainees") | ||
: Completes any procedures associated with fulfilling criminal background check requirements. | : Completes any procedures associated with fulfilling criminal background check requirements. | ||
=== Definitions === | === Definitions === | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 50%;" | {| class="wikitable" style="width: 50%;" | ||
| Line 74: | Line 67: | ||
|An illegal activity/offense as defined in [https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors161.html ORS §161]. | |An illegal activity/offense as defined in [https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors161.html ORS §161]. | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Implementation Details == | == Implementation Details == | ||
There are three ways to satisfy the background check requirement. | There are three ways to satisfy the background check requirement. | ||
| Line 81: | Line 72: | ||
#[Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20option%201 Email PBEM] a scan or verification link to a license or permit that requires a criminal background check. Examples include a medical license, a TSA Trusted Traveler ID, or a concealed weapon permit. The license or permit issue date must be no more than three years prior to the volunteer's activation date. | #[Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20option%201 Email PBEM] a scan or verification link to a license or permit that requires a criminal background check. Examples include a medical license, a TSA Trusted Traveler ID, or a concealed weapon permit. The license or permit issue date must be no more than three years prior to the volunteer's activation date. | ||
#[Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20option%202 Email PBEM] a copy of a criminal background check conducted by a third party within the past 18 months, such as an employer. We might need to verify the check with the organization who conducted it. PBEM does ''not'' need a detailed criminal background report. PBEM ''only'' needs confirmation that a criminal background check was conducted and that the volunteer passed it. | #[Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20option%202 Email PBEM] a copy of a criminal background check conducted by a third party within the past 18 months, such as an employer. We might need to verify the check with the organization who conducted it. PBEM does ''not'' need a detailed criminal background report. PBEM ''only'' needs confirmation that a criminal background check was conducted and that the volunteer passed it. | ||
# Use PBEM's background check service at no cost to the volunteer by [Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20option%203 emailing PBEM that you want 'option 3'] and PBEM will initiate the process through our third-party service provider, [https://www.sterlingvolunteers.com/ Sterling Volunteers]. It is done entirely online and results are usually returned within two days. You may opt to receive a copy for your own review and use during the application process. Please see below for the PBEM-provided background check process. | # Use PBEM's background check service at no cost to the volunteer by [Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20option%203 emailing PBEM that you want 'option 3'] and PBEM will initiate the process through our third-party service provider, [https://www.sterlingvolunteers.com/ Sterling Volunteers]. It is done entirely online and results are usually returned within two days. You may opt to receive a copy for your own review and use during the application process. Please see below for the PBEM-provided background check process.<br /> | ||
<br/> | |||
=== PBEM-provided background check process === | === PBEM-provided background check process === | ||
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: | 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: | ||
| Line 90: | Line 79: | ||
# You are ''not'' required to ‘set up security questions’, but you may if you like. | # You are ''not'' required to ‘set up security questions’, but you may if you like. | ||
# 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 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. | # 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.<br /> | ||
<br/> | |||
== Compliance == | == Compliance == | ||
Prospective volunteers who do not complete or cooperate with the criminal background check process will not matriculate as active volunteers. They will languish in a strange limbo status where the shadows are long, the meals taste of sawdust, and the birds will not sing their names. | Prospective volunteers who do not complete or cooperate with the criminal background check process will not matriculate as active volunteers. They will languish in a strange limbo status where the shadows are long, the meals taste of sawdust, and the birds will not sing their names. | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
| Line 125: | Line 111: | ||
If your question is not answered above, please [Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20question email us]. | If your question is not answered above, please [Mailto:net@portlandoregon.gov?subject=Background%20check%20question email us]. | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
