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Background Checks
Check the Status of Your Background Check via Checkr
It is the policy of this congregation and of the Diocese of Olympia that all paid staff and all who work or volunteer with children and youth shall have a background check. This is a requirement that must be met prior to performing any duties or ministries as paid staff or related to regular volunteer or paid work with children and youth. Background checks are to be repeated every 5 years.
The background check requires that an authorization and release be signed. St. Christopher’s will (or the Diocese or Synod may) pay the cost of the background check.
Typically St. Christopher’s uses “Checkr” ( https://checkr.com ) to perform our background checks. Checkr integrates with our church management software/member portal “Church Community Builder (CCB)”.
A background check must be initiated by an Admin of CCB. Please see the church administrator, bookkeeper, or pastor/priest to request one. Admins: Initiate a background check by going to the persons profile on CCB –> Actions –> Order Background Check. Typically we choose “Standard” or “DMV Standard” for type of background check. Pro level checks are suitable only for those handling money and/or financial records.
When a background check has been initiated, Checkr will send an email to the subject of the check. The subject must complete the process by following the prompts from there. A subject of a background check may check the status of their background check at this link. A subject of a background check must be notified of any adverse action taken against them (e.g. not hired, refused ministry position, etc) because of a background check. Checkr will take an admin through this process, but do consult the pastor/priest and congregational chancellor prior to taking any adverse action.
Checkr will bill St. Christopher’s the cost of the background check.
Administrators of CCB (and only administrators) can see the status of another person’s background check (i.e. invited, invitation completed, clear – 3 years remaining, etc.) by going to a person’s profile in CCB, choosing the “About” tab (default selection), and scrolling to the bottom where it says “Background Checks”. Without proper Checkr credentials/login, Admins can only see the status of a background check, not its details.
Legal Issues: Background Checks. A Hiring Q&A from the ELCA
Authorization and Release for Background Checks and Screening Authorization and Release
Check the Status of Your Backgrouvolnd Check via Checkr
Dioceses of Olympia info on Lay & Volunteer Background Checks