Instructions and Tips for completing BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

1. Instructions and Tipsfor completingBACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS 

2. HISTORY All Federal employees are required to undergo a background investigation. Western added the requirement for all contractor employees to undergo a background investigation in 2002. In 2007 Western�s Senior Managers implemented a review process of all Federal positions to determine the appropriate risk level.

3. The Background Investigation The level of background investigations includes low (NACI), moderate (MBI), and high (BI) and is based on the designated risk level of the competitive service position. Low, Moderate and High risk background investigations are all completed through OPM�s automated e-QIP system. http://www.opm.gov/e-QIP/ The e-QIP system provides detailed instructions for accessing and using this automated system for all levels of investigations. The e-QIP website provides frequently asked questions, a quick reference guide and a brochure to assist employees in filling out the required forms using the system.

4. POSITION RISK AND LEVEL OF REQUIRED BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION If position has been designated as LOW risk Position designated as MODERATE risk Position designated as HIGH risk **Based on the outcome of the position review, all employees who hold positions designed as high risk are required to undergo a BI. Employees who hold a low risk position and are selected for a MBI or BI position will undergo an investigation commensurate with that position. Employees in MBI positions who are selected for a high risk position will be required to complete a full BI investigation. POSITION RISK DESIGNATION: LEVEL OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Requires NACI - Low level investigation Requires MBI � Moderate level investigation Requires BI � High Level investigation

5. The Background Investigation Employees required to complete a high or moderate risk background investigation will be asked to complete an SF-85P and an in some cases an OF-306. The 85P form can be found at: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF85P.pdf Employees required to complete a low risk background investigation will complete an SF-85 and an OF-306. Both forms can be found at: http://www.int.wapa.gov/HR/forms.htm Employees can print out the forms to review prior to entering the data in the electronic system to understand and gather the information necessary to complete the investigation.

6. The Background Investigation Employees who are required to complete a background investigation are given access to the e-QIP system by the CSO Human Resource Office. Employees, after logging into the system, will be asked to respond to personally identifiable questions such as SS# and birth date. Employees will be asked to create �golden� questions and provide responses. �Golden� responses will be used to log into the system from that point forward.

7. The Background Investigation Employees must read the instructions prior to entering data into the form. Employees are encouraged to print out the form(s) prior to entering data to ensure they have all the required information available. Employees have the option of completing the form at one sitting or saving their data and going back into the system at a later time.

8. The Background Investigation Data entered into the system can be displayed and printed for the employee�s personal records. Once all the data is entered and all the questions answered, the employee will be asked to validate, review and certify that the information is correct and accurate. After validating, reviewing and certifying the data, the system will ask the employee to click on �submit� to release the information to the agency (CSO HR). The agency then releases the information to OPM.

9. The Background Investigation Once the data is certified the questionnaire will be locked and unavailable for editing After the questionnaire is locked if, in the rare event an employee feels they made an error and must make a change on the form, they may contact the CSO HR Office, Kristen Oest (oest@wapa.gov) or Curtis Sheldon (sheldon@wapa.gov) to have the form rejected back to the applicant and made available for editing. After editing the information, the employee must again certify and release the information to the agency.

10. The Background Investigation After completing the required forms on-line, the employee will be required to print, sign, and return to the CSO HR Office: 1. Signature form certifying answers are true and correct. 2. Authorization for Release of Information 3. Authorization for Release of Medical Information (for applicants completing the SF-85P)

11. The Background Investigation These instructions and tips are not meant to be all inclusive. It is imperative that employees read all instructions, brochures, and forms associated with background investigations. Employees who have questions after reading through the instructions and guidance, should contact one of the POCs listed on the next slide.

12. Points of Contact for assistance Kristen Oest, Supervisor, EMP, oest@wapa.gov 720-962-7121 � primary contact for federal employees Curtis Sheldon, HR Specialist, Sheldon@wapa.gov 720-962-7178 � primary contact for contractors Wayne Davison, HR Specialist, davison@wapa.gov , 720-962-7105 Kathi Furnas, Supervisor, WFR, furnas@wapa.gov 720-962-7107 You may also contact your regional Human Resource Advisor.