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Background Investigator

City of Salem | Salem, OR

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Posted Date 1/27/2026
Description

Background Investigator

Salary

$49.92 Hourly

Location 

333 Division Street NE Salem, OR

Job Type

Temporary/Seasonal (Part-Time)

Job Number

26-Temp-0443-01

Department

Police Department

Opening Date

01/26/2026

Closing Date

3/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

 

Job Summary

 


The City of Salem's Police Department (SPD) is hiring!
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Make an impact:
The City of Salem Police Department is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented professional to serve as a Background Investigator. In this temporary/seasonal role, you will conduct thorough pre-employment background investigations for both sworn and civilian applicants, ensuring the integrity of the department’s hiring process. Your work will directly support the mission of public safety by helping select qualified individuals to serve our community.

Learn and grow:
Joining the Salem Police Department as a Background Investigator means becoming part of a team that values professionalism, integrity, and service. You’ll work independently while collaborating with department leadership to ensure accurate and timely investigations. This position offers an opportunity to apply your law enforcement experience in a critical support role that impacts the future of our agency.

As a Background Investigator, you will:
  • Conduct comprehensive background investigations for police officer candidates and civilian applicants.
  • Interview references, employers, neighbors, and other relevant contacts.
  • Review applicant history, including criminal, employment, financial, and educational records.
  • Prepare detailed investigative reports and summaries for hiring decisions.
  • Operate various data entry and report writing systems.
  • Maintain confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information.
  • Assist with other investigative or administrative assignments as needed.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?
  • Competitive hourly rate: $49.92/hour
  • Temporary/seasonal assignment with a maximum of 1,039 hours per calendar year
  • Opportunity to contribute to meaningful public safety work behind the scenes
  • A supportive team environment focused on professionalism and service

What are the minimum qualifications?
  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Must pass a full police background investigation and drug test (including marijuana), including
  • Must possess a valid Oregon driver license and meet the City of Salem’s driving standards.
  • Must pass a criminal background check necessary to obtain Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) clearance and Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification within 30 days of hire and maintain clearance throughout employment.
  • Must be an honorably retired or retired in good standing Police Officer, Enforcement Deputy Sheriff, or State Trooper. If retired from the City of Salem, must have been retired more than 90 days by the date of hire.
Auxiliary Police Officer assignments also require the following minimum qualifications:
  • Must meet and maintain firearms, defensive tactics, and Taser training requirements in accordance with Salem Police Department directives and training manuals throughout employment depending on area of assignment.
  • Must pass full background and drug testing including a psychological evaluation required for Salem Police Reserve Officer status per DPSST standards depending on area of assignment.
  • Able to obtain and maintain Salem Police Reserve Officer status within 30 days of hire depending on area of assignment.

What you will bring along:
  • Knowledge of investigative techniques and background screening procedures.
  • Ability to deal with individuals and groups with tact, understanding, and courtesy.
  • Ability to work independently, schedule time effectively, and meet deadlines.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, and the public.
Examination Components:
The assessment process for Background Investigator may include:
  • Supplemental Question Review (weighted): Your responses will be evaluated using a structured scoring matrix. Be sure to provide complete, detailed answers with specific examples.
  • Oral Interview (weighted): Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview to assess investigative experience, communication skills, and ability to handle sensitive information.

Where can I find out more about the position? 
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Auxiliary Officer.

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You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City. 

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs. 

About us:
The Salem Police Department is the 4th largest agency in the State of Oregon. We are a full-service department to include many special teams. Our new facility is a 104,000 square foot building with many amenities for employees to include an indoor/outdoor breakroom, and a work-out room/locker room.
 
The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.
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A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments:
Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community and Urban Development Department. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members.
 
The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.  

How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
 
To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application.  Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.  
 
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

EEO/Women, veterans and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Salary49.92 - 49.92 Hour
Location
In-Person
Position Type
Part Time
Experience
5-10 years
Job Category
Government & Public Administration

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