Background Investigator - Limited Term

Job Summary

The Carver County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a detail‑oriented and professional individual to join our team as a Limited Term Background Investigator. Under the direction of the Background Supervisor, the investigator will conduct background investigations to determine employment suitability, eligibility to purchase/transfer and/or carry firearms, eligibility to possess liquor licenses, daycare licenses and various required licenses, and process general law‑enforcement background inquiries.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and trust of our agency.

This is a limited term position. The expected employment duration will begin in Spring 2026 and continue no longer than 18 months. Hours are M‑F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the Chaska Justice Center. This position is eligible for FT employee benefits.

Carver County offers a comprehensive and flexible benefit plan to meet the needs of employees and their families, including affordable health insurance, comprehensive dental insurance, a pension plan through Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), 12 paid holidays, generous paid time off, and more! For a full list of benefits, please :
Carver County Benefit Information.

• Conduct pre‑employment background investigations through interviews with candidates, neighbors, friends, family members, co‑workers, previous/present employers, teachers/professors and other background investigators. Ensure interviews are free from conjecture, unsubstantiated opinion, bias, personal observations or conclusions. These interviews may be conducted in person, by phone or via background questionnaire.
• Gather and review factual, confidential and open‑source documents and data related to a candidate’s suitability for employment through criminal history, fingerprints, criminal justice records searches, academic records, personnel, employment and performance data, and other sources of personal and professional information.
• Compile and summarize all information received during the background investigation and create a clear, concise and objective written narrative in accordance with agency guidelines for use by management in making a hiring decision.
• Conduct and summarize various background investigations as required by local ordinance, state statute or federal law (e.g., liquor licenses, daycare licenses, security clearances) through criminal history, fingerprints and criminal justice records searches.
• Assist background investigators from other agencies to view personnel files of past and present employees ensuring proper paperwork is submitted and personnel file is compliant with state and federal laws.
• Receive, collect fees and review applications for permit to purchase/transfer and/or permit to carry firearms to guarantee the application is complete, correct fees have been paid, and all required supporting documentation is included to ensure timely, accurate processing of application.
• Determine if an applicant is eligible to purchase/transfer or carry a firearm by complying with state and federal laws. If an applicant is ineligible, deny the application in writing, citing the reason for denial within the time frame established by state and federal law. Enter required information on permit to carry approvals and denials in the State Permit Tracking System (PTS) to comply with statutory requirements.
• Conduct annual background checks of active permit to carry holders to ensure continued eligibility and compliance with permit to carry regulations. Revoke a permit to purchase/transfer or permit to carry when the permit holder is found to be ineligible at any time, by contacting the permit holder in writing. If unable to locate the permit holder, follow up with various agencies such as law enforcement, court services, county attorney to locate the permit holder and ensure permit is revoked.
• Provide courtroom testimony, when necessary, related to information obtained during a background investigation.

• Associate’s Degree in a related area and at least 2 years of full‑time paid work experience in an administrative support or…