UNIVERSITY PARK – Starting on April 20, Penn State Human Resources will be implementing changes to the background check process with the goal of increasing efficiency and creating a better experience for candidates applying to work or volunteer at Penn State.
“The ultimate goal is to make the hiring process faster, smoother and more efficient for candidates and hiring managers,” said Lori Gondak, senior director for talent acquisition for Penn State Human Resources. “The implementation of the new background check vendor, DISA Global Solutions, is expected to increase process efficiency by leveraging technology in line with best practices and decreasing the need for manual work by Human Resources staff.”
As part of the transition, Penn State Human Resources will be providing initial training to human resources personnel and updating communications to candidates.
Any candidate who applies to work at Penn State must pass a background check before beginning their employment. That background check process includes Social Security number verification, misdemeanor and felony criminal history verification, and National Sex and Violent Offender Registry verification. Those who will be working directly with minors are also required to have the following three clearances:
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Background Check
Penn State’s background check policy applies to all faculty and staff positions, including part-time, student employment and employees under a collective bargaining agreement. Unpaid volunteers and interns, temporary staff agency employees, consultants and certain contractors are also required to undergo background checks prior to their engagement with the University. Additional background verifications may be required for specific positions.
Penn State strives to provide the safest possible environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors to uphold the reputation and integrity of the University.