Contact Details
Nancy Foster
HR Generalist, Talent Acquisition & Retention
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Bucknell University requires the completion of background checks as a condition of employment. All will complete an FBI screening; certain positions require additional screenings due to the nature of the position. This FAQ addresses common questions about the process. For additional information, please contact Nancy Foster in Human Resources at 570-577-1682 or nancy.foster@bucknell.edu.
The General Assembly enacted laws governing child protection, which led to the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL).
For positions covered by the CPSL (e.g. whether the position is responsible for the care, supervision, guidance or control of minors, or otherwise has routine interaction with minors, other than matriculated students or prospective students visiting campus), the following three categories of background checks are required:
The law further requires that the checks be performed every 60 months.
Effective Jan. 1, 2016, in accordance with Bucknell policy, if a position is identified as not being subject to the CPSL, new hires will undergo an FBI fingerprint check, unless criminal background checks in foreign jurisdictions are required.
Certain employees will still be required to have additional checks, regardless of whether or not they are covered by the CPSL, depending on the nature of their positions. These additional checks may include verification of education, employment, motor vehicle screens, credit history, etc.
Your screening result will reflect any charges from age 18, unless you were charged as an adult prior to that.
The FBI check is nationwide. The PSP and DHS checks are statewide.
New employees and volunteers will receive detailed instructions during their hiring or onboarding process. Current employees will receive advance notification when they need to renew their screening or complete a new screening.
Yes. You are responsible for payment at the time of screening; however, this expense will be reimbursed by Bucknell. Be sure to save your receipts for expense submission through Bucknell's Workday system. If you are unable to pay for the screening(s) and wait for reimbursement, please contact your supervisor or Nancy Foster in Human Resources.
Most receive results in approximately two weeks from submission.
In some instances, particularly with the Pennsylvania State Police screening, you may receive your result immediately at the time of submission. If you do not, you will receive instant notification that it will be mailed to the home address you provided during the online process.
Your PA Child Abuse results are received via email. Please check your email(s). The results will be sent from a “no reply” address. You will be instructed to log in to your account at www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS using your account username and password.
All FBI results will be mailed. They will send your result to the address you provided during your online registration process. Most results are received within two weeks from electronic fingerprint submission. If you submit ink-based fingerprints, it can take approximately six weeks to receive your result.
Yes, all results are sent directly to you. It is your responsibility to share your result(s) with Nancy Foster in Human Resources at nancy.foster@bucknell.edu.
If the criminal history check indicates there are convictions, Human Resources will consult with our general counsel and review the report with the individual. The existence of a conviction DOES NOT automatically disqualify an individual from employment. There are a number of factors we take into consideration before reaching a decision. Any decision to accept or reject an individual with a conviction is solely at the discretion of Bucknell University. (All related information will be treated as confidential and protected as such.)
In the event that the results of the background check influence a decision to withdraw an employment offer or terminate employment, Human Resources will inform the hiring department and the individual.
All results of criminal and sex & violent offenders’ convictions or issues are considered confidential and will be maintained in confidential files within Human Resources.
You can provide a copy of your PSP, PA Child Abuse and/or FBI screening result from the previous employer. Results are valid for five years from the screening date. Results marked for volunteer purposes cannot be accepted for paid employment purposes.
If you completed a CPSL or FBI screening within one year, please follow the instructions below. If it has been more than one year, duplicate copies of your results are not available from the agencies.
To obtain a duplicate Pennsylvania State Police screening, call the PATCH help desk at 1-888-QUERY-PA (1-888-783-7972). Be sure to make the request using your control number and the date of initial request. Next, go to their website (epatch.state.pa.us), check the status of your record, and enter the information provided to you in your phone call. Your name must be entered exactly as it was on your initial request.
For a duplicate FBI fingerprint result, contact the Department of Human Services via 877-371-5422 and provide them your TCN number (which is located on your IdentoGo receipt). They may verify personal information with you and will then mail your duplicate screening results.
Your PA Child Abuse results are received via email and will always be accessible via your account. Please check your email(s). The results would have been sent from a “no reply” address. You will be instructed to login to your account atwww.compass.state.pa.us/CWISusing your username and password.
In accordance with Act 153 of 2014, Bucknell University requires the Pennsylvania Child Protective Service Law (PA CPSL) screenings for employees and non-employees (including volunteers, consultants, independent contractors, etc.) in recognized roles. A recognized role has access to or use of University buildings, equipment, resources, privileges, and/or programming not available to the general public.
The CPSL/FBI check(s) are the required minimum background checks for all Bucknell University employees and non-employees in recognized roles. Certain individuals will still be required to have additional checks, regardless of whether or not they are covered by the CPSL, depending upon the nature of their positions.
Individuals who receive a new employment/affiliation agreement and have not previously undergone a CPSL/FBI screening as determined by their role are required to complete the screening(s).
Possibly — there are several factors that may trigger the need to be screened. Examples include but are not limited to participation with a camp; a change to your employee or volunteer duties and responsibilities; a dual-enrolled minor in one or more of the courses you lead; a job shadow experience; and a new employment or affiliation agreement. In these circumstances, you may receive notification from Human Resources about the need for screening.
Over the past several years, Human Resources has partnered with Bucknell programs and departments on a rolling basis to ensure that employees hired prior to the CPSL implementation complete necessary screenings. You will receive notification when screening is requested.
If you have questions about your situation, please contact Nancy Foster at nancy.foster@bucknell.edu
No. Effective December 31, 2019, the Child Protective Services Law Act (CPSL) was amended. This amendment expressly removes the provisional–hire option for any Pennsylvania university, college or K-12 school. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services stated that it is required to process PA Child Abuse history clearances within 14 days when a request is received and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history background checks within 30 days from the date of receipt.
HR Generalist, Talent Acquisition & Retention
Cooley Hall, First Floor
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