ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, REHABILITATION & REENTRY 

Our mission is to enhance public safety across Arizona through modern, effective correctional practices and meaningful engagements.

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) is committed to creating a safe, secure, and humane correctional system. With public safety top of mind, ADCRR and its more than 8,000 officers and professional staff are driven by a heart for public service and a commitment to deliver perfect effort each day. ADCRR is redefining itself as an agency whose daily work centers on transparency, accountability, and fairness.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR

(Investigator III)

Job Location:

Address:  

Background Investigation Unit
701 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034

https://corrections.az.gov/

Posting Details:

Salary: $51,660.00 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 03/17/2026

Job Summary:

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) is looking for a qualified Background Investigator to fill this sensitive position, who will be responsible for the completion of sensitive background reviews of current and prospective employees, contractors, interns, volunteers and visitors to the prison institutions as well as our central offices. This position will also process and conduct background investigations for the Correctional Officer and Special Investigator applicants that must meet all requirements dictated by the AZPOST audit rules.

Apply today, and take your career to the next level with the Department of Corrections!

Job Duties:

- Collects, preserves, and reviews documentation, information, and items of relevance to background investigations
- Conducts extensive research and reviews of confidential documentation and reports
- Follows up on information obtained during interviews and documentation reviews to obtain accurate findings of fact
- Retrieves or inputs information and data into computerized databases and systems
- Provides background results to administrators, managers, and/or supervisors
- Confers with outside law enforcement agencies and the public to obtain additional information or follow up on information obtained during interviews and research
- Attends meetings and/or provides status updates to administrative staff and supervisors as requested
- Drives on State business
- Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
- Federal, State, and Local civil laws and cases affecting staff and background investigations
- ADCRR policies and procedures
- Modern investigative principles and techniques
- Interviewing techniques, legal research techniques, prisons, and prison operations
- English to include proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Personal computers using various software programs

Skill in:
- Prioritizing
- Analyzing
- Researching
- Problem-solving
- Independent decision making
- Interpreting and summarizing data, information, and agency policies
- Developing and generating fact-finding detailed, concise, and accurate reports and/or correspondence
- Applying modern investigation principles and techniques
- Taking accurate statements
- Recording and preserving relevant material
- Observation and memory
- Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
- Telephone etiquette
- Multitasking
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Verbal and written communication
- Organization and time management

Ability to:
- Conduct thorough reviews of documentation
- Interview individuals to obtain truthful statements
- Record accurate events and information
- Meet deadlines
- Research data collection
- Work various shifts/ hours including weekends
- Work independently with minimum supervision
- Travel to include overnight stays
- Interact professionally with peers, supervisors and management along with outside entities

Selective Preference(s):

- Three (3) years of investigation experience

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation, and drug test.

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked or suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees:
- Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
- Exceptional retirement program
- Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
- An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Correctional Officer Retirement Plan (CORP).

Current ADCRR Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 255-2430. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.