OAR 407-007-0065: Hired on a Preliminary Basis

(1) BCU may complete a preliminary fitness determination if it receives a request from Human Resources or the hiring manager for an SI to work, volunteer, be employed, or otherwise perform in the position listed in the criminal records check request prior to a final fitness determination. The Department may not hire an SI on a preliminary basis prior to the completion of a preliminary fitness determination. (2) After review of the criminal records check request, the Department makes one of the following determinations: (a) An SI may be hired on a preliminary basis, only during the time period prior to a final fitness determination, into the position listed in the criminal records check request and allowed to participate in training, orientation, and position activities under the one of the following circumstances: (A) If there is no indication of potentially disqualifying convictions or conditions in the criminal records check request and the Department has no reason to believe the SI has potentially disqualifying convictions or conditions. (B) If an SI discloses potentially disqualifying convictions or conditions, the SI may be hired on a preliminary basis only after BCU completes a weighing test. The Department may hire an SI on a preliminary basis only if, based on information available at the time, BCU determines that more likely than not that the SI poses no potential threat to the Department, its clients, or vulnerable persons. (b) The Department may not hire an SI on a preliminary basis if the BCU or Human Resources determines that: (A) After a weighing test, the SI more likely than not poses a potential threat to the Department, its clients, or vulnerable persons; (B) The SI’s most recent criminal records check under these rules or other Department criminal records check rules resulted in a denial; or (C) The SI is currently involved in contesting a criminal records check determination under these or other Department criminal records check or abuse check rules. (3) An SI who is hired on a preliminary basis must be actively supervised at all times by an individual who has been approved without restrictions pursuant to these rules or previous Department criminal records check rules. The individual providing active supervision must do at all times the following: (a) Be in the same building as the SI or, if outdoors of Department buildings or any location off Department property, be within line of sight and hearing of the SI; (b) Know where the SI is and what the SI is doing; and (c) Periodically observe the actions of the SI. (4) An SI who was approved without restrictions within the previous 24 months through a documented criminal records check pursuant to these rules may work after being hired on a preliminary basis without active supervision. The 24-month time frame is calculated from the date of previous approval to the date starting the new position. This exemption is not allowed in any of the following situations: (a) If the SI cannot provide documented proof that he or she worked continuously under the previous approval for at least one year. (b) If there is evidence of criminal activity within the previous 24 months. (c) If the Department determines the job duties in the new position are so substantially different from the previous position that the previous fitness determination is inadequate for the new position. (5) The Department may immediately remove an SI hired on a preliminary basis from the position. Removal is not subject to hearing or appeal. Reasons for removal include but are not limited to the following: (a) There is any indication of falsification in the criminal records check request. (b) The Department determines that allowing the SI to be hired on a preliminary basis is not appropriate, based on the application, criminal records, position duties, preliminary fitness determination by the Department, or regulations regarding the position. (6) Nothing in this rule is intended to require that an SI, who is eligible for being hired on a preliminary basis be allowed to work, volunteer, be employed, or otherwise perform in the position listed in the criminal records check request prior to a final fitness determination. (7) Preliminary fitness determinations must be documented in writing, including any details regarding a weighing test, if required.