US Investigations Services, Inc.

[netman1019]

Folks,

I read these guys do background investigations for federal, state, and local governments. Wondering if anyone has heard of them. I was thinking about applying for a background investigator job. The pay isn't great, but apparently they pay for mileage, there's overtime pay and "rapid pay progression".

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

[PittAJ]

Well I just got an offer from them. The pay is actually better then what they say. They told me that there is usually about 10 hours of overtime a weeks and that comes out to about $10,000 a year. In DC were I got the offer I would start out at 30,000 and after 6 months go to 31,500 plus overtime. It sounds like a cool job I only wish it was still a goverment job. I really want to work for the G. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask me I know alot about this job.

[netman1019]

I have a bunch of questions actually. Do you need prior LE experience to get in? What kind've training is offered? This is probably a dumb question but did they perform a background check on you? Did they tell you how much mileage you should expect to put on a car per month or year on average? When you have to perform a background check, does USIS assign the task or are you given it directly from the agency request the B.I.? How long is the hiring process?

Thanks a lot for your feedback.

Jim

[netman1019]

Actually no need to answer about whether or not they do a background check on their own employees...I just saw on their site that they do.

Jim

[MJ-1]

Pitt,

Your PM box is full.

If you don't mind, could you give us out here the hole story?
How long the process took, what it consisted of, and did you take the job and how is it? Any info would be great

[PittAJ]

Here is the rundown on everything I went through. First I email my resume in back in Febuary and it took about a month when till they got a hold of me and told me where I would be interviewing at. It was kinda weird I just got some generic email giving me a number to call to schedule an interview. Two weeks later I had my interview in DC. When you first get to the interview they have you fill out paper work and write to essays about trust worthy people and how can you identfy trust. After that you go into a suite an interview. They pretty much asked general questions regarding investigative stuff and communication skills. After that interview was done I met with a second person and they asked many of the same questions and a couple different ones. At the end of this interview they offered me the job as long as my background is clear.

This job seems pretty good pay isnt to bad, but there is alot of hours anywhere from 50-55 a week. They pay mileage .36 cents I believe. You get a badge and a labtop. The bad parts about this and this is what is holding me up is that there really isnt a future, theres not much room for advancement. You also have to pay 5000 dollars if you leave before 2 years and you cant transfer to another company like USIS till 6 months after you have quit USIS. I am still weighing all of the options right now. Its a tough decesion because I see know direct path to were this job will lead. If anybody has any information out there to what this job might lead it would be great to here about it. Anothoer reason why I might take this job is to get my masters even though the guy at the interview said I might not have time. I think I can squeeze in 2 night classes a week and get my master in 2 years. Its alot to think about, but if I got any type of job with the G I would diffently take it over this.

[MJ-1]

pitt,

I understand that you work out of your home and make your own hours. Is this true? and if so did the agents tell you how they work their schedules?

[PittAJ]

They said you work out of your home and make your own schedules but they didnt say how they do it. I know you have to be flexiable to meet the people you need to talk to.

[toolman23]

Pitt,
Congrats on getting the job.It is a hard decision to make,think it completely through.The two year commitment is big to consider.You can go to an agency they do work for within the 6 months,but you need written permission from them according to my contract.
I met with my on Thursday 4/5, and he is tearing through it.He has been calling and interviewing people and today was going through my neighborhood.Went to my current job already,not sure about the others yet.
He hopes to have all my stuff done and then send it to HQ and then to the government for their approval and then just wait it out til I go to training.

fingers are crossed

[MJ-1]

toolman,

how long did your BI take and who did they contact? How long has the whole process taken? Do you have any new info about the job (ie. work hours or when you can work.) how do they get in contact with you if you work from home?

[toolman23]

Well my BI began the yesterday as far as I know and they are going right through the list...

old roommates from college,co workers,past employers,neighbors,etc. they are going to contact previous professors,etc. Anyone and everyone who knows you basically.

My former roommate called me and informed me they spoke to him asking about my family, what the living arrangement was when we lived together,how it was living with me, did i do drugs,was I a binge drinker,am I involved with any terrorist organizations,did he think I would have any reason to try to overthrow the government,etc.

I too like PittAJ was offered the job on the spot.My date of hire pending a BI,drug test, etc. was February 8th. I was sent my forms and sent them back and waited just over 5 weeks i think to hear from my BI. We are underway and it seems as it is going well.I have references in places that are a few hours away so Iam ont sure what they are going to do with them.I beleive someone will have to go out there and talk to them, all interviews are done face to face by the way from what I hear.

the longest part I am told is going to be the wait for the feds to clear your background. You are given a badge and credentials saying that you are a Special Investigator for the United States Office of Personnel Management.They own you.

My BI has a cell and regular phone so he is not too tough to get a hold of.

New info like what?? Training goes on all the time.Generally they put 100 through each class each month,with training being 3 weeks Monday through Friday near Pittsburgh, PA. You arent allowed to go home on the weekends for those who might get home sick.then you will return home and do some field training with a Senior Investigator and after a few weeks should be on your own.You arent completely on your own though.I was told that all the Senior Investigators and supervisors make themselves readily available if you run into a problem.If they cant help you USIS has set up a help line that can assist.

Anything else,hopefully if me and Pitt work together here we can nail every question you might have.

There is another guy on the boards who also took a job with USIS so maybe he can help.
Oh Armand,where are you???????

[PittAJ]

Toolman, I thought that they said you cant work for a competing agency within 6 months of quiting. Are you saying that I cant work for anybody who they do backgrounds on within 6 months of quiting unless I get permission from them? This is a crucial question because my plan was to get my master in PA within 2 years then move over to the G.

[NarcCop]

Do you guys know if there are restrictions relating to current goverment employees being hired by USIS? I applied almost a year ago and haven't heard anything from them...maybe they just aren't hiring where I applied...

Thanks

[MJ-1]

NarcCop,

I applied on line about 2 months ago and I hadn't heard anything either. I called the main number and they said they do have application on file and that when they are in my area to recruit, they I should be notified for an interview.

The phone # is 724-794-4498. They should be able to answer your questions or at least let you know if your on their system.

[toolman23]

for a 6 month period after the last day of "employment with Company,whether terminated for cause or otherwise,he or she may not,without Company's written consent,directly or indirectly...
C. become employed by any customer to provide or perform any service as part of her or his duties (whether primary or otherwise) that is similar to that provided or performed by the company for on behalf of such customer at any place in the United States..."

Alright now Iam no lawyer here so all this mumbo jumbo is tough for me to understand.The term "company" is USIS,all its entities,etc. That part I have...
"customer" means any entity ,including any division,agency or affiliate of any entity, to which the company provides or provided service during the employees employment with the company.(this is right out of the contract,word for word)

As I read it over I dont think an FLE job would count.Again,Iam no lawyer and didnt want to ask about this for fear they would think I would jump ship first chance.

So I guess how it is understood is up to debate.
Any suggestions??

[PittAJ]

Toolman, I thought you might find this interesting. I called USIS HG today and spoke to a HR person. She told me that you can only take 3 classes a year that they will pay for and once you are done taking classes that they paid for you have to stay with the company for 2 years after that and if you leave within the two years you have to pay them back for all of the education they gave you. Something I thought you would find intereseting.

[toolman23]

PittAJ,
I did respond to your PM and read this afterwards.

Talk about stuff they fail to mention.Maybe it is in the paperwork somewhere and I overlooked it but holy sh*t,come on.
so not only are we on the two year Covet not to Compete,but now there is a 2 year after we pay for your grad school.

What does this new bit of info do for you and your decision,or did you agree already??

[PittAJ]

Toolman, what do you mean by agree. Do you have to agree when they start the background that you will stay for two years. Because the guy at the interview said that doesnt start till the training actually begins.

I'm still up in the air about this job. I think this job sounds really cool but I do have some employment options in jobs not really related to investigative or LE work so I'm still thinking.

[PittAJ]

"He also appeared to be about 12 years old"
haha

I guess they like to snatch us young guys up.

I always wondered what older people would think if they saw this young guy fresh out of college coming to interview them. Thank god I dont look young.

[toolman23]

AJ,
What I meant by "agree" was did you join USIS. Sorry for the misunderstanding.I thought you were still considering it but just wanted to double check.What other kinds of employment are you considering?? Just curious.

When I met my USIS investigator, or i should say got his phone message,he too identified himself as Special Investigator for United States OPM. I think this might be for the reason that as I was told Iam only going to be doing BI's for fedeal security clearances. The private stuff USIS does possibly doesnt require you to say that.
Just a thought though

[toolman23]

Interesting...
I just called my BI and got his answering machine.
It said "This is Special Investigator ****** for U.S. Investigation Services......."
Not "Special Investigator for U.S. Office of Personel Management."

dont know why but I just decided to share that.

[PittAJ]

Toolman, the private sector work I am also looking at is Claims Adjusting for insurance companies.

[ArmandGC]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to point out that my BI also introduced himself to me as an investigator for OPM, which seems to be common practice. This makes sense to me since the job involves conducting investigations under the legal auspices of OPM, despite being employed by USIS.

Also, about the tuition reimbursement, it's actually relatively common for companies to require a contract period of employment with them after investing in your education. I have a friend who works for an engineering firm that operates the same way, and it's my understanding that the armed forces also require an additional contract period if they pay for your school along the way.

Armand

[toolman23]

Ladies and germs,
my advice is listen to Armand.It makes sense to me and he has been going through this process for USIS a while longer than myself.

Did you start the grad classes yet buddy???

no wonder you are so smart.

[ArmandGC]

Pitt,

I tried to pm you and your box is full ... sorry it took me so long. I've totally forgot to check my PM box for weeks.

Toolman,

Yeah, I'm deep into classes now, and they're kicking the ass out of me. :-) Regional Security of Eurasia, National Security Policy, and Organization of U.S. Intelligence. It's a great program, though, and I'm enjoying it. I think it probably will be a challenge to balance grad school with 50 hours of work a week, but it's possible. My fiancee's been doing it for months now.

[PittAJ]

Armand, my box is empty now. Also does your fiancee work for USIS and what masters program are you taking?