Criminal Background Examiner

About the Role

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. is hiring a Criminal Background Examiner within the Services Bureau, TASB Records Division. This role supports the handling of police records, public records access, and background screening services for government agencies and members of the public. The position also involves processing court-ordered expungements, sealings, and set-asides, while protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information.

What You’ll Do

• Carry out detailed background checks for federal and District government agencies, as well as applicants for firearm registration and concealed carry licenses.
• Receive, record, and handle payments connected to records/document requests.
• Manage subpoenas and FOIA requests by routing them to the correct authority.
• Administer litigation holds for records and update computerized criminal history files.
• Review and remove detention journals as required.
• Process court orders related to expungements, sealing, and set-asides of convictions.
• Act as the agency contact for computerized criminal history matters with the FBI.
• Pull requested records from off-site storage locations.
• Protect confidential data at all times.
• Train new or less experienced civilian and sworn staff on the job.
• Take on additional related duties as needed.

Expanded Tier 2 Responsibilities

• Accept and process requests involving criminal history for employment, travel visas, and adoptions.
• Handle applications for firearm registration, concealed carry licenses, and Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act matters.
• Work on offense, incident, and traffic crash report requests.
• Enter, update, and maintain accurate data across multiple systems and databases.
• Verify AFIS gallery card data and arrest records.
• Prepare certified court paperwork and serve as clerk of record, including giving testimony when required.
• Ensure information is released correctly to outside law enforcement agencies.
• Process public document requests from law offices, FOIA requests, Public Defender Office submissions, and similar sources.
• Review insurance company and other corporate payment checks before forwarding them to D.C. Treasury.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates should bring hands-on knowledge of criminal justice systems and strong customer service skills. The role requires familiarity with D.C. criminal codes tied to firearm registration and licensing, the Criminal Record Sealing Act, Uniform Crime Reporting procedures, and MPD policies and guidance. Applicants should be comfortable using Microsoft Office, MPD information systems, and other relevant applications, and must be able to perform computer-based searches, data entry, and printing tasks. Strong professionalism, tact, and courtesy when working with people from diverse backgrounds are essential.

Education

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

Applicants need at least one year of specialized experience at the CS-08 level or an equivalent non-District level. Relevant experience includes delivering customer service in person, by phone, voicemail, email, and mail; working with D.C. firearm registration and licensing rules; applying Criminal Record Sealing Act and Uniform Crime Reporting procedures; using software tools for data entry, searching, and printing; conducting background investigations; and preparing records, correspondence, and reports.

Work Setting

This is an office-based position. Work may involve standing while assisting applicants, sitting for extended periods while reviewing and updating records, and bending to retrieve or file reports. Travel may be required to other D.C. government agencies to perform criminal history background checks.

Additional Information

No licensure or certification is required for this role.

There is no known promotion potential for this position.

The role is covered by the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) bargaining unit, and an agency fee may be deducted through payroll as applicable.

This is a security-sensitive position. In addition to standard suitability review and criminal background checks, selected candidates may be subject to traffic record checks, pre-employment drug and alcohol testing, consumer credit checks, reasonable suspicion testing, random testing, return-to-duty or follow-up testing, and post-accident or incident testing, where applicable.

Because of the sensitive nature of the work, final candidates must successfully complete an enhanced background investigation, including criminal history and credit checks, as a condition of employment.

If a candidate claims residency preference, they must maintain District of Columbia residency for at least seven years. Not doing so may lead to loss of employment.

The District of Columbia Government is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, employee organization membership, protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, domestic violence/sexual offense/stalking victim status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

Benefits

MPD offers a strong benefits package that includes competitive pay, medical coverage, prescription drug coverage, dental and vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement benefits, and savings options. Employees may join the employer-contributed 401(a) plan after one year of service. Additional employee perks can include discounts on wireless service, gym memberships, amusement park tickets, and more.