Quick Answer

Yes, the University of Arkansas System hires people with felony convictions on an accessible, skill-focused case-by-case basis.

As a major state employer (Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith), the University System has constant demand for facilities management, maintenance, dining services, and custodial staff. Employment is generally accessible for non-fiduciary and non-security roles, adhering to Arkansas law which requires convictions to be job-relevant.

Entry-level roles like Custodian and Grounds Worker start around $15.00–$20.00 per hour, with specialized Maintenance Technicians and skilled trades earning $25.00–$35.00 per hour plus comprehensive state benefits and tuition discounts.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

1. About University of Arkansas System

2. Hiring Policy for People with Felonies

3. Available Jobs

4. Background Check Process

6. Benefits and Compensation

7. Comprehensive FAQs

5. Application Tips

8. Similar Companies That Hire in Arkansas

🟢 FELON-FRIENDLY SCORE CARD: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS SYSTEM

✅ WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU APPLY (Eligibility Checklist)

This checklist is a mandatory gut-check for all applicants:

📃 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Most Roles)

• Age: 18 years or older.

• Physical Ability: Ability to work full-time in physically demanding roles across campus environments.

• Screening: Willingness to pass a background check and drug screen.

⚠️ REALISM CHECK: CAMPUS ACCESS ⚠️

Working at a university means access to dormitories, labs, offices, and student areas. While generally flexible, the University must ensure the safety of its students. Any felony related to burglary, sexual offenses, or violence may prevent you from obtaining the necessary campus security clearance for jobs like Custodian or Maintenance Tech, even if the felony is over 7 years old. You must be able to prove impeccable conduct since the conviction.

1. About University of Arkansas System

The University of Arkansas System includes the flagship campus in Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), and several regional campuses and divisions. As a state-funded institution, the University System is one of the largest employers in Arkansas, offering stable jobs in infrastructure, research support, and student services.

The work environment is diverse, ranging from office administration to heavy facilities maintenance. Employment decisions are governed by public sector rules, requiring strict job-relevance testing for all criminal history.

2. Hiring Policy for People with Felonies

As a state employer, the University of Arkansas System must adhere to state and federal equal opportunity guidelines. They cannot use a past conviction as an automatic disqualifier unless the crime is directly related to the functions of the job (e.g., fraud for an accounting job).

What the University System Considers

• Public Trust and Safety: This is the primary filter. Any felony related to sexual offenses, violence against others, or drug distribution on campus property is highly scrutinized.

  
  

• Fiduciary Responsibility: Jobs handling university funds, payroll, or cash (e.g., bookstore, accounting) will strictly deny applicants with felonies related to fraud, embezzlement, or theft.

  
  

• Job Relevance: The less contact the role has with students, cash, or sensitive data, the more accessible it is. Custodian and Grounds jobs are highly accessible because the main requirement is physical labor and reliable attendance.

  
  

• Driving Record: Jobs in Facilities Maintenance and Grounds often require driving university vehicles, mandating a clean MVR for the past 3 years.

  
  

3. Available Jobs

The highest volume of hiring occurs in the Facilities Management and Campus Services divisions.

Facilities and Support Roles (Hourly Pay)

Career Path Example: Facilities

• Custodian

• Building Services Specialist

• Lead Custodian

• Facilities Supervisor

• Operations Manager (Salaried $55K+)

4. Background Check Process

The University System follows public employer guidelines, focusing on strict job relevance and ensuring the safety of the campus community.

1. Online Application: Submitted through the UA System employment portal (the conviction question is generally delayed).

2. Interview: Focuses on reliability, professionalism, and ability to handle the university environment.

3. Conditional Offer: Extended based on the interview.

4. Screening: State and federal criminal history check. Convictions are individually reviewed for relevance (e.g., theft is highly relevant for a Custodian with unsupervised access to offices).

5. Drug Screening: Mandatory for some positions (CDL, heavy equipment, security).

6. Final Decision: Driven by the department manager and UA System HR, adhering strictly to the job-relevance principle.

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5. Application Tips

• Target the Most Accessible Roles: Focus on Custodian, Grounds, or Dining Services. These are high-turnover, essential labor roles where a non-relevant felony is most easily mitigated.

• Lead with the Tuition Benefit: Show enthusiasm for leveraging the University's educational benefits to gain technical certifications or a degree. This proves long-term commitment and rehabilitation.

• Emphasize Trust for Custodial Roles: Stress that you understand the responsibility of working unsupervised in offices and dormitories, and that your stable history proves your trustworthiness with property.

• Clean Driving Record: Ensure your MVR is clean if applying for Grounds or Maintenance, as driving university vehicles is often a requirement.

• Be Honest about Gaps: If you have incarceration gaps, explain them neutrally and focus only on the job relevance of the crime (e.g., "It's an offense that occurred 10 years ago and has no relevance to grounds maintenance or campus safety").

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6. Benefits and Compensation

Working for the University of Arkansas System offers one of the best benefit packages available in the state:

• State Retirement: Access to the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS).

• Tuition Benefits: Significant Tuition Discounts or Waivers for employees and their dependents attending a UA System school. This is a massive long-term benefit.

• Health Coverage: Comprehensive State Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision).

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid state holidays.

7. Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Does the University System require a clean MVR for all jobs?

A: No, but a clean MVR (3+ years) is generally required for any job where driving a university vehicle is a core duty, such as Facilities Maintenance, Groundskeeping, or certain courier jobs.

Q: Will a fraud conviction disqualify me from all university jobs?

A: It will disqualify you from all financial or fiduciary roles (e.g., accounting, bursar’s office, bookstore cashier). However, if the conviction is older and non-relevant, it should not disqualify you from a Custodian or Grounds worker role.

Q: How far back does the background check go for a felony?

A: Arkansas convictions can be reported indefinitely. However, the University must follow the EEOC rule, focusing on the relevance of the crime and time elapsed. Convictions older than 7 years have less relevance unless they involve violence or sexual offenses near the student population.

Q: Can I take classes while working full-time at the University?

A: Yes! Using the employee tuition waiver is a major perk. The University encourages employees to advance their education, and managers often offer flexible scheduling to accommodate evening classes.

Q: What is the fastest way to get hired at the University?

A: Apply for Custodian or Grounds Worker positions at one of the large campuses (Fayetteville, Little Rock). These roles have constant needs for reliable staff.

Q: Will a sexual offense felony disqualify me?

A: Yes, almost certainly. Any conviction or history of sexual offenses will disqualify you from working anywhere on campus due to the necessity of protecting the student population.

Q: Do I need prior experience for Custodian roles?

A: No, Custodian roles typically require minimal experience but highly value a proven history of reliability, strong attendance, and physical fitness for manual labor.

Q: What kind of job advancement is available?

A: Advancement is often vertical within the trade: Custodian Building Services Specialist Foreman. You can also use your tuition benefits to switch career tracks entirely (e.g., moving into an IT role after getting certified).

Q: Are the jobs permanent or contract?

A: Most Facilities, Grounds, and Administrative roles hired directly by the University are full-time, permanent, benefits-eligible state employee positions.

8. Similar Companies That Hire in Arkansas

9. Final Thoughts and Strategy Summary

The University of Arkansas System offers stable, public employment and unparalleled long-term benefits in Arkansas, particularly through its generous tuition programs.

Strategy for Success:

1. Safety and Trust: Ensure your record is clean of violence or theft, especially concerning property or people near campus.

   
   

2. Target the Campus Floor: Start with high-demand, non-fiduciary roles like Custodian or Grounds Worker to get your state employee status.

   
   

3. Educational Leverage: Once hired, utilize the tuition benefits immediately. This is the single most powerful tool for turning a service job into a lifelong, professional career in the IT or administrative wings of the University System.