EMPLOYMENT WEBSITE
Background Checks
The University of California, Santa Barbara strives to provide the safest possible work environment; to protect key organizational assets such as people, property, and personal or other sensitive information; and to enable hiring authorities to make prudent employment decisions based upon more comprehensive job-related information. The UCSB Background Check Guidelines, as consistent with UC PPSM 21 and UC Systemwide Guidelines, apply to positions that are designated as critical. These include career, limited appointment, contract, and casual-restricted (student assistant) employees.
All applicants selected for, or reclassified into, “critical” positions are required to undergo a background check. A Department of Justice (DOJ) and/or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check is a fingerprint check of criminal convictions through the Applicant Live Scan System (Note: DOJ background checks are California-only background checks, and FBI background checks are national background checks. Human Resources recommends that both DOJ and FBI background checks are conducted for applicants/employees who have resided out-of-state.). In accepting a critical position, it is understood that appointment to, or continued employment in, a critical position is contingent upon a satisfactory DOJ/FBI background check. A satisfactory DOJ/FBI background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant’s or employee’s suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position.
Critical Positions
Departments are delegated the authority to determine by review which staff positions should be designated as critical based on the responsibilities of those positions. These elements include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Master key access to University-owned residence and/or other facilities
2) Direct responsibility for the care, safety and security of humans or animals; or the safety and security of personal or University property
3) Direct access to, or responsibility for, cash and cash equivalents (as defined by Business & Finance Bulletin, BUS-49) or University property disbursements or receipts
4) Direct access to, or responsibility for, controlled substances or hazardous materials
5) Extensive authority for committing the financial resources of the University
6) Responsibility for operating commercial vehicles, machinery or toxic systems that could cause accidental death, injury or health problems
7) A requirement for a professional license, certification or degree, the absence of which would expose the University to legal liability and/or adverse public reaction
8) Direct access to, and/or responsibility for, information affecting national security
9) Direct access to, and/or responsibility for, protected, personal, or other sensitive data (as defined by Business & Finance Bulletin, IS-3).
Info
Background
Check Guidelines- Applicant
Fingerprinting Info (also available in
Spanish)
- UC Systemwide Guidelines for Designating Critical Positions
- Process
Flowchart - New Hires
- Process Flowchart - Reclassified employees (coming soon)
Forms
Policies and Other Related Resources
- UC Personnel Policies for Staff Members, 21.E. – Appointment – Background Checks
- UC Systemwide Guidelines on Designating Critical Positions
- Business & Finance Bulletin, BUS-49 – Handling Cash and Cash Equivalents
- Business & Finance Bulletin, IS-3 – Electronic Information Security
- California Legislation SB 1386 Guideline – Protecting Personal Information Collected by Institutions
- California Courts Self Help Center – Clean Up Your Criminal Record