Background Checks/Volunteer Computer Access

• Volunteer Background Investigation Policy Update, March 2020
  Webinar on Procedures Update - 19 March 2020

• National List of Fingerprinting Locations, Feb 2023

• Searchable list of DOJ/FBI-certified private/state/local providers of electronic fingerprint services

• National list of TASMs and TAs for VOLAC card processing

  Volunteer coordinators will practice due diligence in screening volunteer candidates to assure the safety and security of USACE employees, contractors, and the public. Volunteer coordinators will work with their District Security Office to obtain background investigations and ensure proper procedures are followed. USACE staff at USACE projects and offices may share background/security checks for volunteers who serve at multiple locations.

  With the exception of volunteers in positions that involve regular contact with children under 18 years of age without a parent or guardian present, or where the volunteer does not work under constant line of sight supervision (LOSS) by USACE personnel who have been screened in accordance with Army Directive 2014-23, background investigations will be effective indefinitely, unless there is a two year break in service or if the command learns of any adverse information about the individual that was not previously adjudicated in a background investigation. Volunteers who have regular contact with children under 18 without a partner/guardian present require re-verification every five years.

  Volunteers requiring a Tier 1 background investigation may begin their service once their Special Agreement Check (SAC) FBI fingerprint check results, SF85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions and OF 306 Declaration for Federal Employment forms have been favorably reviewed by the District Security Office for no adverse information, and the SF 85 and OF 306 forms have been submitted to OPM through the Personnel Security Investigation Portal (PSIP) to process the full investigation. Digital fingerprints are the preferred collection method and may be obtained at military installations, USACE district and division offices, and law enforcement offices. In locations where digital collection is not available, fingerprints may be obtained on the SF 87 or the FD 285 fingerprint card and submitted to the District Security Office for transmission to the Personnel Security Investigation - Center of Excellence (PSI-CoE) following guidance in the PSIP Requestor Guide. All fingerprint cards require a valid Security Office identifier (SOI), Submitting Office Number (SON), and an Intra-Governmental Payment and Collection (IPAC) code in order to be processed by the PSI-CoE.

  Tier 1 background investigations are required for the following:

  1. Individuals who volunteer for more than 6 months consecutively, regardless of number of hours served each day;
  2. Volunteers who will have access to a USACE networked computer; or
  3. Volunteer positions that involve regular contact with children under 18 years of age without a parent or guardian present, or where the volunteer does not work under constant line of sight supervision (LOSS) by USACE personnel who have been screened in accordance with Army Directive 2014-23.

  SAC FBI fingerprint checks are required for the following:

  1. Volunteers that require access to government files and records;
  2. Volunteer positions that require the collection and handling of fees; or
  3. Volunteers that work independently of USACE personnel and have unescorted access into controlled space/non-public areas such as dams, offices, or locked government buildings.

  Background investigations are not required, but may be conducted at the local project level through outside contractor or through a SAC processed by the District Security Office, for any of the following:

  1. Individuals who volunteer for one-time events;
  2. Individuals who volunteer for less than 6 consecutive months and do not meet any of the scenarios described in 3.f. or 3.g. above; or
  3. Volunteers who only work under LOSS by USACE personnel and have infrequent contact with minors.

  Forms

  • DD Form 2875 (pdf file) System Authorization Access Request (SAAR) - To obtain access to Trusted Associate Sponsorship System for VOLAC procedures
  • Form 1172-2: Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment
  • SF 87- Federal Employee and Military Fingerprint Card (This is not a downloadable form. You must obtain this from your local law enforcement or Security Office)
  • OF-306 Declaration of Employment
  • SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions
  • PSIP Required Information Form

  Guidance/Handbooks

  • DMDC TASS Overview Guide, December 2020
  • TA Best Practices for Creating an Application, Sep 2019
  • TASS Business Process, Dec 2020
  • TASS Business Process Timeline, Dec 2020
  • TASS Personnel Category Description, Apr 2019
  • Timeline to Complete Key TASS Procedures, April 2019

  District/Project Background Check SOPs

  • LRN- Volunteer Background Check Request Form
  • LRP- Volunteer CAC Policy
  • MVR- Volunteer Background Check Policy, Oct 2016
  • NAD- Volunteer Screening Applications
  • NAD- Authorization Form for Consumer Reports
  • NWP- Authorization for Release of Information
  • NWP Volunteer Background Investigations Policy, May 2020
  • NWP Volunteer Background Investigation Request to Security Office, May 2020
  • NWP Fingerprinting Instructions sample email to volunteer, May 2020
  • NWS- Background Check Procedures, 2009
  • NWW: Volunteer Onboarding Flow Charts, 2022
  • SAJ- Background Investigation Process
  • SWF- Background Check Policy
    • PSIP Background Investigation Request Form
    • OF 306 Declaration for Federal Employment Form
    • Sample Resume
    • Fingerprint Instructions
  • SAW- Background Check Flow Chart
  • SWF- Policy Memo: Criminal Background/Security Investigations for Non-volunteers Residing with Volunteers on Corps of Engineers Fee Lands
  • SWL- Security Policy Memo 2011
  • SWT Background Check Procedures, 2013