Privacy Policy

Effective Date: November 7, 2025

Last Updated: November 7, 2025

1. Introduction

Richmond County School System Transportation Department ("RCSS Transportation," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you apply for employment through our online application system.

By submitting an application, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

When you apply for a position with RCSS Transportation, we collect the following personal information:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, physical address
  • Identification: Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth
  • Employment History: Previous employers, job titles, dates of employment, reasons for leaving
  • Education: Schools attended, degrees obtained, certifications
  • Licenses: Driver's license information, CDL certification status
  • References: Professional references including contact information
  • Background Information: Criminal history, driving record, employment eligibility

2.2 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information when you use our website, including:

  • Browser type and version
  • Device information
  • IP address
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • Application Processing: To review and evaluate your employment application
  • Background Checks: To conduct required background checks and verify your employment eligibility
  • Communication: To contact you regarding your application status and potential interviews
  • Compliance: To comply with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
  • Record Keeping: To maintain employment records as required by law
  • Security: To protect against fraud and unauthorized access

4. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement industry-standard security measures:

  • Encryption: Sensitive data, including Social Security Numbers, is encrypted using AES-256-GCM encryption
  • Secure Storage: All application data is stored in secure, encrypted databases
  • Access Controls: Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel only
  • Two-Factor Authentication: Administrative access requires two-factor authentication
  • Regular Audits: We conduct regular security audits and updates

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

  • Richmond County School System: With authorized RCSS personnel for employment purposes
  • Background Check Services: With third-party providers conducting required background checks
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or legal process
  • Safety and Protection: To protect the rights, property, or safety of RCSS, our employees, or students

6. Data Retention

We retain your application information in accordance with legal requirements and legitimate business interests:

Retention Periods:

  • Active Applications: Retained throughout the hiring process and for 1 year after application submission for consideration of future positions
  • Hired Employees: Employment records retained for 7 years after employment ends, in compliance with:
    • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
    • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements
    • IRS tax record requirements
    • Georgia state employment law
  • Declined Applications: Retained for 1 year after the hiring decision to comply with:
    • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
    • Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
    • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Background Check Records: Retained for 3 years as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Automatic Data Deletion

After the retention period expires, your data is automatically and securely deleted from our systems, including:

  • Permanent deletion from primary databases
  • Removal from backup systems
  • Secure destruction of encrypted SSN data
  • Deletion of associated audit logs (after 90 days)

Note: If legally required to retain data longer (e.g., ongoing litigation, government investigation), we will notify you and retain only the minimum necessary information.

7. Your Privacy Rights (GDPR & CCPA Compliant)

You have comprehensive rights regarding your personal information:

Right to Access

Request a copy of all personal information we hold about you. We will provide this within 30 days in a structured, commonly used format (PDF or CSV).

Right to Rectification

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information. We will update your records within 15 business days.

Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")

Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements. We will:

  • Delete your data immediately if no legal obligation to retain
  • Notify you if retention is required and for how long
  • Automatically delete after the legal retention period expires

Right to Restrict Processing

Request that we limit how we use your data (e.g., storage only) while verifying information accuracy or processing a deletion request.

Right to Data Portability

Receive your personal data in a machine-readable format (JSON, CSV, or PDF) to transfer to another organization.

Right to Withdraw Application

Withdraw your application at any time. Your data will be retained only for the minimum legal period (typically 1 year for EEO compliance), then permanently deleted.

Right to Object

Object to processing of your data for specific purposes. We will cease processing unless we have compelling legitimate grounds or legal obligations.

How to Exercise Your Rights:

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at:

Phone: (706) 796-4777

Mail: RCSS Transportation
2950 Mike Padgett Highway
Augusta, GA 30906

We will respond to your request within 30 days and verify your identity before processing.

8. Children's Privacy

Our employment application system is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. All applicants must be at least 18 years old or have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction.

9. International Data Transfers

Your personal information is primarily stored and processed in the United States. If you are accessing our application from outside the United States, please be aware that:

  • Your information will be transferred to and stored in the United States
  • U.S. data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction
  • We implement appropriate safeguards to protect your information regardless of location
  • By submitting an application, you consent to this transfer and processing

10. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

Contractual Necessity: Processing your application as part of the pre-employment contract process

Legal Obligation: Compliance with employment laws, tax regulations, and record-keeping requirements

Legitimate Interest: Maintaining employment records, preventing fraud, and ensuring workplace safety

Consent: Processing sensitive personal data (where applicable) with your explicit consent

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

  • Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date
  • Sending an email notification for significant changes (if you have an active application)
  • Displaying a prominent notice on our application website

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Continued use of our application system after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

RCSS Transportation Department

2950 Mike Padgett Highway
Augusta, GA 30906

Phone: (706) 796-4777

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FERPA Compliance Notice

Richmond County School System complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and all applicable federal and state privacy laws. This application system is part of our employment records and is separate from student records.

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