Civil Service: What's New?
We are committed to keeping all CPS employees abreast of current information that helps to elevate professional performances across the board. Collaboration and communication with all facets of CPS are the keys to continued success in the district.
Background Checks: What is the process?
Ohio law requires all individuals to have a baseline Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and a FBI criminal background check upon employment with the Cincinnati Public School district. For Certificated and Civil Service staff, individuals should have their checks completed upon applying for their educator license, certificate or permit. The FBI and BCI checks must not be older than one year (365 days) at the time in which they are used for initial licensure. Cincinnati Public Schools follows the Ohio Department of Education standards regarding all licensure policies and procedures. Other points of reference to consider:
§ If an individual continuously resides in Ohio, he/she does not need to update the BCI background check, but does need to obtain a FBI criminal background check once every five years.
§ If an individual resides outside of Ohio at any time during the five years after obtaining the BCI check, then both background checks need to be updated.
§ These policies apply to all individuals holding a state of Ohio educator license, certificate or permit, including a non-tax certificate (no expiration), a permanent certificate (no expiration date) and an eight-year professional certificate.
§ It is the responsibility of the educators holding ODE licenses, certificates or permits, as well as their employers, to ensure the law is followed with regard to obtaining required updated background checks within a five-year time frame as mandated by law, even if the expiration of a background check does not always coincide with the expiration of the license.
For more information about the licensing process in the state of Ohio, visit http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Teaching/Licensure/Additional-Information/Background-Check-FAQs
Background Checks at CPS Board of Education
Background checks are available in the Employee Care Center at the Education Center, 2651 Burnet Avenue, for current and new CPS employees, consultants, volunteers and interns working with our district.
Hours to obtain BCI and FBI information are Monday through Thursday 9:30 AM-12:30 PM, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM.
No appointment necessary - walk-ins welcome – Monday through Thursday (not Fridays)
What to bring: State ID or Driver’s License, and payment type.
Payment types: credit card or exact cash (no change available)
BCII and FBI - $50. BCII only - $25. FBI only - $30. ($5 local background check not offered.)
Note: It takes up to 30 days for results to be returned – when available, you will be notified via email (check spam/junk).
For renewals, only the FBI is needed if you have continually lived in Ohio for the past five years. New employees and non-Ohio residents need both.
Not sure if you need a background check? Check your SAFE account at ODE. Those with expiring background checks should receive notification via Business Plus/Sungard.
CPS contact is 363-0153
CPS issues BCII and FBI only Civil Service Evaluation Manual/Process
In conjunction with labor organizations representing civil service personnel, the CPS Human Resources department has developed updated processes and a manual as guides for conducting fair and objective appraisals for non-certificated personnel. Additionally, we now feature an online reviewing process called Frontline Evaluations. This process allows for the appraiser and appraisee to review job performance in a professional, efficient manner utilizing the latest technologies.
Collective Bargaining Agreements for Civil Service Employees
Current contractual information for Civil Service employees is now available in the Civil Service folder on the Collective Bargaining Agreement page. Please visit Collective Bargaining Agreements to review.