Background Check Specialist

Background Check Specialist
Tampa, FL -hybrid
Possible Contract to Hire

Position Overview
The Background Check Specialist is responsible for administering and governing the end-to-end background screening process for employees and contingent workers in a highly regulated environment. This role supports compliant onboarding by initiating, monitoring, reviewing, and auditing background investigations to ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory requirements, and regional standards.
The analyst will manage background screening workflows through First Advantage, review screening results including criminal, non-criminal, OFAC, fingerprinting, and adverse media findings where applicable, and support adjudication and escalation processes. The role also ensures onboarding gating controls are met before worker activation or system access is granted.
This role sits within the Global HR Operations function and partners closely with Talent Acquisition, Procurement, Compliance, Legal, and Security. It plays a key role in audit readiness, operational risk management, and workforce governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer end-to-end background screening processes for employees and contingent workers using First Advantage and related HCM systems, ensuring adherence to company policy, governance standards, and regional requirements.
• Initiate, monitor, and track background screenings in alignment with onboarding timelines and service level agreements.
• Coordinate screening requirements based on worker type, role, geography, and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure all required screening components are completed before clearance is granted.
• Review and assess screening results, including criminal history, non-criminal findings, OFAC and sanctions screening, adverse media reviews, and fingerprinting.
• Apply established adjudication guidelines and escalation protocols.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, HR, and business stakeholders on escalated or sensitive cases.
• Support adverse action processes in accordance with applicable regulations and company standards.
• Maintain accurate audit documentation and evidence retention practices, and help keep process documentation, standard operating procedures, and workflow updates current.
• Identify process gaps, control risks, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Participate in quality assurance reviews and compliance audits through reporting, documentation, and process validation.

Provide regionally aligned support across multiple business units.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Compliance, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in background screening, onboarding operations, compliance operations, or workforce administration.
Experience working in a regulated or compliance-driven environment preferred.
Experience administering background screening programs and adjudication workflows.
Familiarity with First Advantage or a similar background screening platform.
Knowledge of applicable screening and employment regulations, including FCRA and related compliance requirements.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume operational environment.
Experience with HRIS and onboarding technologies, including Fieldglass and Oracle, preferred.
Success Measures
Timely and accurate completion of background screening processes for employees and contingent workers.
Adherence to established onboarding and screening service level agreements.
Reduction in audit findings, compliance gaps, and onboarding exceptions.
Accurate review, escalation, and adjudication of screening results in accordance with company standards.
Effective management of onboarding gating controls to prevent premature worker activation or system access.
Strong partnership and responsiveness across HR Operations, Compliance, Procurement, Talent Acquisition, Legal, and Security.
Maintenance of accurate audit documentation and evidence retention practices.
Continuous identification and implementation of process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and compliance readiness.