Background Investigator

As a Background Investigator with the Durango Police Department, you'll conduct thorough background investigations for police officer, police cadet, lateral officer, and select civilian applicants. You'll review records, conduct interviews, verify information, research authorized databases, and prepare investigative reports for Police Department leadership. You'll also coordinate applicant testing, recruitment and hiring activities, and pre-employment and onboarding requirements in partnership with Human Resources and department leadership.

This civilian position combines investigative work with detailed administrative coordination. You'll handle confidential information, manage multiple cases and deadlines, and help guide applicants through the hiring process from initial recruitment through their start date.

The starting pay for this position is between $21.81 and $23.99 an hour, with opportunities for growth up to $30.54 per hour based on long-term growth and performance within the role.

Our mission is to improve community safety and quality of life by reducing crime and its perception. We are committed to serving our diverse community with respect, dignity, integrity, and the utmost moral and ethical character. Driven by the ambition to become the premier law enforcement agency in the southwest region of Colorado, we leverage innovation and cutting-edge technologies. We focus on developing, retaining, and investing in the success of our team members.

Through community engagement, we collaborate with citizens and local partners to address issues and improve quality of life, making Durango the best place to live, work, and play.

The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible.

The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You’ll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.

• Conduct comprehensive background investigations for police officer, lateral officer, police cadet, and select civilian applicants.
• Review applicant materials, conduct interviews, verify information, and investigate discrepancies or inconsistencies.
• Research applicant information using authorized databases and investigative resources.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports and communicate significant findings to Police Department leadership.
• Coordinate applicant testing and selection activities throughout the hiring process.
• Coordinate recruitment and hiring activities from job requisition through the employee’s start date in partnership with Human Resources and Police Department leadership.
• Support recruitment through career fairs, hiring events, community and academy outreach, and other targeted recruitment activities.
• Maintain accurate and confidential applicant and personnel records in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and records retention requirements.
• Manage the Police Department’s…