Member Benefit: Background Screening Best Practices

April 21, 2022, Department, by NRPA

may 2022 we are parks recreation member benefit 410

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Background Investigation Bureau (BIB) and NRPA’s partnership was created to help park and recreation agencies conduct background screenings better. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help prevent risk:

What is your background check costing you? Selecting background checks based on the lowest cost can lead to a low-quality screen. The best approach is to ask, “Are we getting the best quality screen for a fair price?”

How healthy is your data? Most information received by states is through county records. Ideally, the information would be correct and complete; however, in many cases, the records are either missing data or inaccurate. You’ll need to assess what screening methods you are using to get the best data from every state relevant to your applicants.

Are you getting the full story? When pertinent information is missing, it becomes challenging to make effective hiring decisions. Making sure you’re receiving the best data from as many sources as possible ensures you’re getting the full story.

What is the turnaround time? While the majority of quality background checks are completed in less than 72 hours, most delays experienced are related to jurisdictions being searched. For example, a court runner is physically going to a courthouse. While this is a highly effective process, it can lead to longer turnaround times because of court access hours, staff or technology available. It’s important to know of any jurisdictions you may be accessing regularly that could drive common delays.

Learn more on how your agency can develop the best background screening methodology. NRPA members will gain peace of mind knowing that your volunteers and employees are well-vetted using some of the most advanced background checks available. Take advantage of your discount.