Does Maximus Hire Felons?
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Maximus hires some people with records but, as a large government-services contractor, screening is stricter than in retail. Many roles require a federal public trust suitability review on top of a standard criminal check.
Maximus does hire some people with felony records, but its work as a large government-services contractor means background screening is often stricter than in retail. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, Maximus employs roughly 39,600 people and reported about $5.3 billion in revenue, running contact centers and administering programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and federal student loan servicing across many states. Because many roles handle personal, health, or financial data on government contracts, positions frequently require a federal 'public trust' suitability determination in addition to a standard criminal check. Public trust reviews weigh the nature, severity, and recency of an offense plus evidence of rehabilitation — a record does not automatically disqualify you. Employee reports vary by project and location: some people with older, non-violent records are hired, while certain sensitive contracts are more restrictive. Entry-level customer service representative (CSR) roles are the most commonly available openings and the most realistic starting point.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative (CSR) | Case-by-case | Yes — criminal check, often plus public trust suitability | Highest-volume entry-level role. Contact center / remote work. Most realistic starting point. |
| Eligibility / Benefits Enrollment Specialist | Case-by-case | Yes — handles applicant personal data | Processing benefits applications. Access to PII means added scrutiny. |
| Case Manager | Case-by-case | Yes — comprehensive check | Supporting program participants. May require program-specific clearance. |
| Clinical / Nurse Assessor | Harder — licensed role | Yes — plus professional license review | Requires active license; licensing boards apply their own record rules. |
| Corporate / IT Support | Case-by-case | Yes — may include federal suitability | Roles touching government systems can require public trust clearance. |
Maximus Hiring Practices
Maximus is a large business-process and technology contractor that runs health and human-services programs for federal, state, and local governments — think Medicaid and Medicare contact centers, benefits enrollment, and student loan servicing. Because so much of its work involves government contracts and access to personal, health, or financial data, many positions require a federal 'public trust' suitability determination on top of a standard criminal background check. Public trust is an investigation, not a security clearance, and it does not automatically bar people with records; investigators weigh the nature, seriousness, and recency of an offense along with evidence of rehabilitation. In practice, outcomes vary by project and location. Employees report that Maximus will not auto-reject a felony but reviews each case with a team, considering time elapsed and circumstances. Some contracts and roles handling sensitive data are more restrictive than others.
Tips for Getting Hired
Apply online through the Maximus careers site and target high-volume Customer Service Representative openings, which are the most accessible and often support remote work. Be honest and consistent about your history — inconsistencies hurt more than the record itself during a public trust review. Have documentation ready that shows rehabilitation: completion certificates, references, steady work history, and time elapsed since the offense. If a role requires public trust suitability, expect a longer process and detailed questionnaires; respond fully and on time. Older, non-violent records are viewed more favorably than recent or fraud-related ones, especially for roles handling personal data. If one contract or location declines, other Maximus programs may have different requirements, so it can be worth applying to multiple postings.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Apply online at the Maximus careers site and target entry-level Customer Service Representative roles first.
- 2.Be honest and consistent about your record — public trust reviews penalize inconsistencies more than the offense itself.
- 3.Gather rehabilitation evidence: completion certificates, references, and a steady recent work history.
- 4.Expect a longer timeline for roles needing federal public trust suitability; answer questionnaires fully and on time.
- 5.Older, non-violent records are treated more favorably than recent or fraud-related convictions.
- 6.If one contract declines, apply to other Maximus programs — requirements differ by contract and location.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Maximus hire felons?
- Maximus does hire some people with felony records. It does not automatically disqualify applicants but reviews each case, and many roles require a federal public trust suitability determination in addition to a criminal check.
- Does Maximus do background checks?
- Yes. Maximus runs background checks on new hires, and requirements depend on the contract. Many government roles also require a public trust suitability investigation because they involve access to personal data.
- Does Maximus drug test?
- Drug testing at Maximus varies by contract, role, and location. Some positions include a pre-employment screen while others do not.
- What is a public trust clearance at Maximus?
- Public trust is a federal background investigation — not a security clearance — required for roles handling sensitive government or personal data. It weighs the nature, severity, and recency of any record and does not automatically disqualify people with convictions.
- What does Maximus do?
- Maximus is a government-services contractor that runs contact centers and administers programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and federal student loan servicing. It employs roughly 39,600 people and is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Maximus Careers
Search and apply for Customer Service Representative and other roles at Maximus.
- National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.
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