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I'm interested in the DoJ Honors Program and was wondering about the scope of the federal background check. I have no criminal record, however, I do have school disciplinary issues, mental health treatment (counseling/antidepressants) and a speeding ticket about two years ago. Would these be potentially disqualifying?

It depends. How egregious were the disciplinary issues?

school disciplinary could be pretty serious depending on what it was

did you threaten anyone? thats probably a red mark

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jessuf wrote:Yes, you are pretty much barred from federal govt employment. What happened to clerking

Why do you say so? I have no criminal record whatsoever.

zot1 wrote:It depends. How egregious were the disciplinary issues?

No threats. Just harassment and property damage.

Manali wrote:

zot1 wrote:It depends. How egregious were the disciplinary issues?

No threats. Just harassment and property damage.

those are pretty serious issues, not just "having a loud party"

Manali wrote:

zot1 wrote:It depends. How egregious were the disciplinary issues?

No threats. Just harassment and property damage.

I mean, you can apply, but if you get offered a job, don't bank on it until the background check is through. This could be a very taxing and uncertain process.

If I were in the panel, I would probably not hire you because of the type of position (responsibilities, visibility, etc) and my own sense of duty to taxpayers. But thankfully, I won't be in the DOJ panel.

I mean, not to dash your dreams but so many overqualified people apply to DOJ. It will be hard for anyone to pick someone with those prior disciplinary issues over the qualified people who won't have those issues.

As has been discussed in a lot of threads about federal background checks, you will most likely have to disclose any mental health treatment and diagnoses occurring within 7 years of the date of your application (most likely because there are slightly different background checks based on the job/agency. Sensitive/national security positions ask about mental health, non-sensitive positions don't). I don't know what degree of mental health issues would be a dealbreaker. You also authorize the government to investigate your academic/residential/employment/disciplinary history, not just criminal history (this is for all background checks).

Is EOIR a "sensitive" position?

Double post.

A. Nony Mouse wrote:As has been discussed in a lot of threads about federal background checks, you will most likely have to disclose any mental health treatment and diagnoses occurring within 7 years of the date of your application (most likely because there are slightly different background checks based on the job/agency. Sensitive/national security positions ask about mental health, non-sensitive positions don't). I don't know what degree of mental health issues would be a dealbreaker. You also authorize the government to investigate your academic/residential/employment/disciplinary history, not just criminal history (this is for all background checks).

Do PD/Legal Aid offices conduct background checks?

All federal background checks, I meant. I don't know what the PD/legal aid do.

Background check disclosures aside, the bigger concern for you should be that you come across as batshit crazy and scatterbrained (on this forum--so I assume it's even worse in person)

Search online for an "SF-86" and read through it. Potential red flags should be obvious based on the questions they ask.

I have a Secret w/SSBI and my life isn't spotlessly perfect or anything.

Manali wrote:Is EOIR a "sensitive" position?

No.

dodint wrote:Search online for an "SF-86" and read through it. Potential red flags should be obvious based on the questions they ask.

I have a Secret w/SSBI and my life isn't spotlessly perfect or anything.

Thanks! They don't ask about scholastic discipline, so looks like I'm in the clear.

Manali wrote:

dodint wrote:Search online for an "SF-86" and read through it. Potential red flags should be obvious based on the questions they ask.

I have a Secret w/SSBI and my life isn't spotlessly perfect or anything.

Thanks! They don't ask about scholastic discipline, so looks like I'm in the clear.

Yeah, I couldn't remember if there was or not and didn't want to mislead you. Glad you took the time to look it over.