Employee and New Hire Services

The City of Tucson, and its Human Resources Department (HR), is seeking proposals from qualified Contractors to provide Employee and New Hire Services to assist City staff in determining if candidates for employment, or selected for promotion, position rotation or participation in City duties, meet the job requirements and responsibilities of the position sought as specified in the background investigations policy administered by Human Resources or other City departments. Preference is for a web-based service.

Consistent with the revised Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) amended guidelines , the City of Tucson removed from the employment application form the check box asking applicants to indicate if they have been convicted of a crime.

• Firstly, the purpose is to remove the affect the question about criminal history may have on applicants who decide not to apply because of a prior conviction. The idea is that the nature of the crime and the time elapsed may not be relevant to the position for which the applicant is applying.
• Secondly, and as importantly, the purpose is to evaluate candidates based upon their merits and thereby provide an opportunity for the applicant to compete fairly for a position without bias.

Additionally, the City’s intent is to screen for background information which is job related and consistent with business necessity following a contingent offer of employment, as delineated in Administrative Directive 2.02-25 Employment Background Investigations. The essence of the policy is:

The City of Tucson does not inquire about a candidate’s criminal history at the initial job application. The City will evaluate candidates based on their merits. All candidates recommended for a position are required to pass an employment reference check, and if applicable to the position, a Background Investigation, Motor Vehicle Driving Record check and/or drug screen. If a criminal history is obtained, it will only be used in compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

This contract will provide for the services that are now required by these changes.