JOB
UNCLASSIFIED POSITION IN THE FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
TALENT ACQUISITION & BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS SPECIALIST
The Talent Acquisition & Background Investigations Specialist serves as a critical bridge between the Human Resources Division and the Background & Recruiting Units, ensuring the agency attracts, evaluates, and hires highly qualified sworn and professional personnel. This role combines technical expertise, strategic sourcing, investigative rigor, and candidate experience management to support the full lifecycle of recruitment and onboarding. The Specialist is responsible for identifying top talent, conducting comprehensive background investigations, coordinating hiring processes, and ensuring compliance with all legal, ethical, and departmental standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Talent Sourcing & Headhunting-
Identify, engage, and cultivate relationships with high-quality candidates for sworn and professional roles through proactive sourcing strategies.
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Utilize advanced search tools, applicant tracking systems (ATS), social platforms, and data-driven methods to build diverse talent pipelines.
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Conduct targeted outreach to passive candidates, specialized communities, academic institutions, military organizations, and professional networks.
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Analyze workforce trends and staffing needs to anticipate recruitment priorities.
Recruitment & Candidate Management
Manage the full-cycle recruitment process, from job posting to conditional offer.
Screen applicants for minimum qualifications, job fit, and alignment with agency values.
Conduct structured interviews, coordinate panel interviews, and support hiring managers with evaluation tools.
Maintain consistent communication with candidates to ensure a positive and transparent experience.
Collaborate with HR and Recruiting Units to refine job descriptions, hiring criteria, and selection processes.
Background Investigations
Conduct thorough background investigations for sworn and professional applicants, including:
Prepare detailed investigative reports summarizing findings and suitability recommendations.
Ensure all investigative activities comply with federal, state, and local laws, including FCRA, EEOC, and agency-specific standards.
Coordinate with polygraph examiners, psychological evaluators, and medical screening personnel as required.
Onboarding & Compliance
Facilitate onboarding for new hires, ensuring all documentation, clearances, and training requirements are completed.
Coordinate with HR, Training, and Command Staff to schedule academy dates, orientation, equipment issuance, and system access.
Maintain accurate and secure personnel records in compliance with retention and confidentiality requirements.
Support continuous improvement of onboarding workflows to enhance efficiency and candidate readiness.
Cross-Unit Collaboration
Serve as a liaison between HR, Recruiting, Background Investigations, and operational units.
Participate in workforce planning meetings, recruitment events, and community outreach initiatives.
Provide data, metrics, and insights to leadership regarding hiring trends, candidate quality, and process bottlenecks.
Assist in developing recruitment strategies, marketing materials, and process documentation.
Required Technical Skills
Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS), HRIS platforms, and digital case management tools.
Strong ability to conduct online research, digital investigations, and data verification.
Skilled in using spreadsheets, databases, and reporting tools to track candidate progress and metrics.
Familiarity with digital communication platforms, virtual interviewing tools, and workflow automation.
Ability to interpret and apply legal guidelines related to hiring, background checks, and personnel management.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
3+ years experience in recruiting, background investigations, law enforcement support, or HR operations.
Strong interviewing, analytical, and investigative skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism.
Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in a law enforcement, military, or public-safety agency.
Certification in HR (PHR, SHRM-CP) or investigations (e.g., background investigator training).
Familiarity with civil service rules, POST requirements, or sworn hiring processes.
Experience conducting sensitive or complex investigations.
Core Competencies
Analytical Thinking — Ability to evaluate information objectively and identify inconsistencies or risks.
Technical Proficiency — Comfortable with digital tools, data systems, and investigative technologies.
Interpersonal Communication — Skilled at building rapport with candidates, colleagues, and external partners.
Discretion & Ethics — Maintains confidentiality and adheres to strict professional standards.
Collaboration — Works effectively across units with differing priorities and operational cultures.
Adaptability — Navigates evolving hiring needs, policy changes, and high-volume recruitment cycles.
Work Environment
Office, field investigation, and community engagement settings.
May require occasional travel for recruitment events, academy visits, or investigative interviews.
Requires handling sensitive and confidential information with strict adherence to policy.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Purpose of Classification:
The purpose of this classification is to coordinate special projects and conduct research and analysis of various departmental functions and operations. Work at this level is of a responsible, technical or professional level relative to a supporting role in the management of a division, department, or operation, but without supervisory or managerial responsibilities. All authority and autonomy inherent in this classification is at the discretion of and delegated by a Department Director or Division Administrator.
Essential Functions:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Conducts operational research, productivity analyses and management studies to assist in the management of departmental operations, programs, and services: compiles and/or monitors various administrative and statistical data pertaining to divisional operations; researches information pertinent to task or project; analyzes data and identifies trends; prepares or generates reports; makes recommendations for changes in policies and procedures to improve operations, provide more responsive service, and/or optimize the use of resources; and develops recommendations for changes in departmental policies and procedures; and provides technical assistance and information to management to aide decision making.
Performs financial reviews and analyses for the department: compiles and evaluates operational data and cost histories; monitors and reviews billing activities, expenditures, and financial reports; conducts detailed cost analysis; makes recommendations to improve cost and operational effectiveness; and participates in budget development.
Coordinates routine projects for the department, conducted either in-house or via third party contractors, including management studies and various professional services: assists in defining the scope of the project; formulates solutions and recommends problem resolution; facilitates implementation of the project; and provides administrative support to the project as needed. Work at this level is usually relegated to coordination of the department's participation in major, county-wide projects, and serves in a secondary or subordinate role to the designated construction manager for large capital improvement projects.
Assists division managers with strategic and long-range planning for departmental operations: keeps managers apprised of developments at the state and federal level that impact the department; monitors pending legislation for impact on operations; oversee compliance with new legislation.
Administers grants for various state and federally funded programs: compiles and submits grant applications; researches funding sources and program opportunities; assists departments with grant activities; monitors and ensures compliance with all requirements for awarded grants.
Responds to complaints and questions related to county or department operations, activities, or other issues: provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution; and works with supervisors and managers to ensure effective coordination and cooperation across units.
Represents the director and department at various meetings, functions, and events: serves as a liaison to various civic or governmental organizations and committees, task forces, boards, and commissions; confers regularly with officials from the state, authorities, and commissions; provides information about departmental operations; participates in discussions and decisions; and keeps the director apprised of activities.
Additional Functions:
Performs other related duties as required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.