Worried a background check will cost my partner his current job. Is it worth the risk?

So my partner is applying for a state DNR law enforcement position that requires a thorough background check and investigation. This would include contacting his current employer for reference and employment verification. He is a high performer and a valued employee but we’re worried about what might happen if the company finds out he’s applying for another job. If the DNR position doesn’t work out will he be burned at the company?

My partner does plan on speaking with his supervisor this week to give them a heads up. We figured it would be better if it didn’t just come out of the blue but we’re still trying to figure out how to best approach the conversation.

The DNR position would be a 15k increase in salary, amazing benefits, and it’s much closer to what he wanted to do out of college. Not to mention we’re moving to a rural area next month and his commute is going to be 80 minutes one way on days he’s not traveling for work. Ultimately, we need to decide if this is worth the risk to pursue and if it is how to approach the situation with his supervisor.

Any thoughts or advice on how to navigate this situation would be much appreciated!