Background Investigator Jobs
Background Investigator jobs are open across federal contracting, private security, financial services, and healthcare, from entry-level field roles to senior and lead positions, with specializations in federal personnel investigations, pre-employment screening, and due diligence. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 41+ Background Investigator jobs
About Peraton
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees solve the most daunting challenges that our customers face. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Program Overview
About The Role
Peraton is seeking to fill a critical role for a full-time experienced background investigator near Lacey, WA. Applicants must reside within 50 miles of the city center of Lacey.
What you’ll do:
The Investigator will be responsible for the following but not limited to:
- Travel daily when conducting in person background investigations for the purpose of determining employment suitability of persons who require access to sensitive or classified U.S. Government information
- Investigators will schedule and conduct face-to-face interviews throughout their designated area with the subject and their neighbors, employers, and friends
- Investigators will also perform record searches at police agencies, courthouses, educational and financial institutions, and medical/mental health facilities
- Investigators are required to type and report all obtained information in a clear and concise report on a government issued computer system
- Working independently while also a member of a team of Investigators and with a Field Manager
- Interact professionally with others, write for long periods of time, meet expectations for attendance and punctuality, and be able to pay attention to details while conducting field work
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality, ethics, and integrity
- Professional attire required
- Must be able to lift and move up to 10 pounds, climb stairs, walk extensively, endure long periods of standing and drive in adverse and/or night conditions
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret eligible clearance; Active federal background investigation with a T5 adjudication is preferred
- U.S. citizenship
- At minimum, High School diploma
- 1 year of specialized Federal Background Investigative experience (where investigator training compliant with National Training Standards took place) within the last five (5) years
- 3 years of general experience (i.e. military, local, state or federal law enforcement or investigative functions) within the last 5 years and Completion of “New Investigator” training
- A valid driver's license and a personal vehicle
- Required to carry sufficient motor vehicle insurance, specifics of which will be provided
- Daily travel required locally and outside of primary work area, as needed
- Home office required
- Must reside within the stated mileage requirement posted in job description
Additional Qualifications:
- Ability to interact with a variety of individuals and personalities professionally and effectively
- Ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment with limited supervision
- Excellent organizational, scheduling and prioritization skills
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Intermediate typing (40+ WPM recommended) and computer skills
- Must be able to speak for extended periods of time and hear sufficiently to communicate in person and over the phone; record, read and transcribe words and numbers with a high degree of accuracy
- Demonstrated metrics in quality, timeliness, and production
- Travel required locally and outside of primary work area. Local travel consists of approximately 15-20% of work week.
- Temporary Duty Assignments opportunities several times per year ranging from 14 – 30 days
Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
#EXPBI
#RDG
SCA / Union / Intern Rate or Range
$38.60
Details
Target Salary Range: The rate / range per hour below represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
Benefits Statement: Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.
Application Statements: The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.
EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.
About Peraton
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees solve the most daunting challenges that our customers face. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Program Overview
About The Role
Peraton is seeking to fill a critical role for a full-time experienced background investigator near Lacey, WA. Applicants must reside within 50 miles of the city center of Lacey.
What you’ll do:
The Investigator will be responsible for the following but not limited to:
- Travel daily when conducting in person background investigations for the purpose of determining employment suitability of persons who require access to sensitive or classified U.S. Government information
- Investigators will schedule and conduct face-to-face interviews throughout their designated area with the subject and their neighbors, employers, and friends
- Investigators will also perform record searches at police agencies, courthouses, educational and financial institutions, and medical/mental health facilities
- Investigators are required to type and report all obtained information in a clear and concise report on a government issued computer system
- Working independently while also a member of a team of Investigators and with a Field Manager
- Interact professionally with others, write for long periods of time, meet expectations for attendance and punctuality, and be able to pay attention to details while conducting field work
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality, ethics, and integrity
- Professional attire required
- Must be able to lift and move up to 10 pounds, climb stairs, walk extensively, endure long periods of standing and drive in adverse and/or night conditions
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret eligible clearance; Active federal background investigation with a T5 adjudication is preferred
- U.S. citizenship
- At minimum, High School diploma
- 1 year of specialized Federal Background Investigative experience (where investigator training compliant with National Training Standards took place) within the last five (5) years
- 3 years of general experience (i.e. military, local, state or federal law enforcement or investigative functions) within the last 5 years and Completion of “New Investigator” training
- A valid driver's license and a personal vehicle
- Required to carry sufficient motor vehicle insurance, specifics of which will be provided
- Daily travel required locally and outside of primary work area, as needed
- Home office required
- Must reside within the stated mileage requirement posted in job description
Additional Qualifications:
- Ability to interact with a variety of individuals and personalities professionally and effectively
- Ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment with limited supervision
- Excellent organizational, scheduling and prioritization skills
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Intermediate typing (40+ WPM recommended) and computer skills
- Must be able to speak for extended periods of time and hear sufficiently to communicate in person and over the phone; record, read and transcribe words and numbers with a high degree of accuracy
- Demonstrated metrics in quality, timeliness, and production
- Travel required locally and outside of primary work area. Local travel consists of approximately 15-20% of work week.
- Temporary Duty Assignments opportunities several times per year ranging from 14 – 30 days
Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
#EXPBI
#RDG
SCA / Union / Intern Rate or Range
$38.60
Details
Target Salary Range: The rate / range per hour below represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
Benefits Statement: Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.
Application Statements: The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.
EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.
See All 41 Background Investigator Jobs
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Find Background Investigator JobsBackground Investigator Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Peraton13
- ADC LTD NM5
- CACI International4
- Xcelerate Solutions4
- Constellis1
Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in background investigator jobs.
- Active or adjudicated federal security clearance at Tier 3 or Tier 5
- Experience conducting subject and source interviews in person or by phone
- Proficiency writing clear, accurate, and legally defensible investigation reports
- Knowledge of federal adjudicative guidelines and suitability standards
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel within an assigned geographic area
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field
Tips for Your Background Investigator Job Search
Tailor your resume for clearance requirements
Many background investigator postings require an active or adjudicated federal security clearance. List your clearance level, adjudication date, and any polygraph history prominently near the top of your resume so hiring managers can qualify you immediately.
Highlight your subject interview experience
Employers want to know you can conduct structured interviews with subjects, references, and former employers. Quantify the types of investigations you have handled, such as federal SSBI, Tier 3, or Tier 5, to show scope and depth without oversharing case details.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists background investigator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by contract vehicle type
Federal investigation roles often sit under specific government contracts like NBIB, DCSA, or OPM-related vehicles. When targeting openings, check whether the posting references a named contract, because incumbents and cleared candidates on that vehicle move faster through hiring.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Interviewers for background investigator roles frequently test your judgment on derogatory information handling, source reliability, and report writing accuracy. Practice walking through a real case you worked, explaining your decision-making at each step without disclosing protected information.
Negotiate start date around clearance transfer timing
If you hold an active clearance with a previous employer, your offer timeline often depends on how quickly your clearance can be transferred or reciprocated. Raise this in final-round discussions so both sides plan the onboarding window realistically.
Background Investigator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most background investigators?
The most active employers for background investigators right now are Peraton, ADC LTD NM, and CACI International, and the most openings are in California, Colorado, and Georgia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Federal contractors investigating government personnel tend to drive the highest volume of postings consistently.
How many background investigator jobs are remote?
About 25% of background investigator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the nature of field work limits full-remote options for most roles. Database review, report writing, and quality assurance positions within investigation firms are the sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How do you become a background investigator?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field. Apply for entry-level positions with federal contractors or government agencies that sponsor your security clearance investigation. Once hired, you complete structured on-the-job training covering interview techniques, record research, and report writing before conducting cases independently.
Can you get hired as a background investigator with no experience?
Yes, some federal contractors hire candidates with no direct investigation experience, particularly if you have a military, law enforcement, or paralegal background that demonstrates interviewing or analytical skills. Highlighting experience gathering information from multiple sources, writing detailed factual summaries, and exercising sound judgment on sensitive matters helps close the experience gap in your application.
What does the background investigator interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone screen to verify your clearance status and availability to travel. A structured behavioral interview follows, focused on past cases involving derogatory findings, source development, and report accuracy. Some contractors include a writing exercise where you review raw case notes and produce a sample report section to assess your documentation skills.
Where can I find and apply to background investigator jobs?
You can find and apply to background investigator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your clearance level, experience, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 41 Background Investigator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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