New Job Coroner Investigator I - Ii In Colorado

Coroner Investigator I - II
Coroner Investigator I - II

Coroner Investigator I - II

Company : Douglas County, CO
Salary : Details not provided
Location : Colorado

Full Description

Coroner Investigator I - II
Employment Type: 0 - Full-time Regular
Pay Range: $50,846.00 - 84,531.00
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Overtime Exempt: No
Elected Office / Department: CORONER

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Under general supervision of the Coroner, and direct supervision of Chief Deputy Coroner, this entry-level position enjoys a highly rewarding and multifaceted profession performing medicolegal death investigations and associated work in a comprehensive manner; involving medicine, public health, criminal justice, and community service; fulfilling the vision of the Coroner, mission of the office, and related statutory responsibilities.

Classification (level) and compensation is based on qualifications and experience as it relates to the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be all-inclusive.)

  • Fields phone calls to the office with reports of death, establishes jurisdiction, and determines appropriate course of action to ensure a thorough, comprehensive medicolegal death investigation.
  • Responds to death scenes, pronounces death, obtains photos, and documents technical descriptions of scene and body. Legally identifies the decedent and may take custody of the body, and evidence, for transport back to the office for further investigation and/or autopsy.
  • Identifies legal next-of-kin and makes notification of death.
  • Interviews families, witnesses, medical professionals, law enforcement personnel, and others to obtain statements and related evidence. Analyzes information and prepares investigative reports accordingly for legal documentation.
  • Consoles families through the death and grieving process, and guides family through actions of office policy and procedure. Presents donation opportunities and assists families with honoring donation procurement wishes.
  • Regularly attends and achieves on-going training within the many facets of the profession. May represent the office at public outreach and education events.
  • Gathers, reviews, and analyzes medical/psychological records and legal documents; including but not limited to EMS/Police reports, toxicology records and autopsy reports and summarizes findings.
  • Serves as Autopsy Assistant during autopsies. Utilizes standard precautions and safe work practices assisting the forensic pathologist with completion of the autopsy procedure; including photography, obtaining x-rays, collection of evidence, evisceration, fingerprinting, and collection of toxicology and histology samples.
  • Identifies and reports per policy compliance violations, ethical violations, and safety concerns immediately to appropriate authorities. Acts as a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, and other associated authorities.

OTHER DUTIES: Prepares and cleans morgue before and after autopsy; assists with inventory of supplies, toxicology, medications and evidence. Assists with educational activities. Special projects as assigned. Maintains department equipment in a clean and safe working condition.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: General supervision by the Coroner, direct supervision by the Chief Deputy Coroner.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT: Must have the ability to assess complex situations and problems to determine appropriate course of action, demonstrating commitment to compliance of policy, procedure, and all applicable laws, or know when to ask a supervisor for direction.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: *

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Bachelor of Science degree required, master’s degree preferred. One year of proven and documented experience in death investigation; and/or specialized education in nursing/paramedicine or a Coroner/ME office internship. Requires knowledge of laws and standards of medicolegal death investigation, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and forensic pathology.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE: Requires knowledge of laws and standards of medicolegal death investigation, anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and forensic pathology. Understanding of rules, laws, and goals specific to the coroner’s office. Working knowledge of medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, and current death investigative practices.

SKILLS: Ability to drive County vehicles in adverse conditions. Can read, analyze and interpret medical information, general technical procedures and governmental regulations. Possess spelling grammar, punctuation and writing skills necessary for professional communication.

ABILIITIES: Ability to read, analyze and interpret general technical procedures and governmental regulations. Ability to write concise and accurate reports. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to exercise mature judgment and react effectively and professionally in emergency and stressful situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License upon hire, with complying insurance. Review of motor vehicle record is required at time of hire and periodically throughout employment.

Coroner Investigator I: Certification with the Colorado Coroners Association is required within one year of hire.

Coroner Investigator II: Requires certification with the Colorado Coroners Association, and Registry Certification with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (D-ABMDI).

This position requires successful completion of a criminal background check including fingerprinting through a national database.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see, and hear clearly. The employee frequently is required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to stand and/or sit for long periods of time. The employee must regularly lift and/or move more than one hundred (100) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus and distinguish colors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work may occur in a typical office setting, morgue, private residence, on highways, at mountain terrain or a variety of other settings. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work in various types of inclement, outside weather conditions and may be exposed to environmental hazards, biohazards or blood borne pathogens. Must be able to tolerate working with formalin fixative. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

AVAILABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY: This position requires scheduling of 40 hours per week, in any configuration ensuring 24/7/365 coverage of operations. Scheduling may change in advance, or last minute, to accommodate open shifts, light duty, sick leave or vacation time of other employees.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *
This position is open until filled, review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

The job details outlined in this posting represent a modified summary of the full job description. A full copy of the job description may be requested by emailing [email protected].

In the event of an emergency/disaster in or near the County, all County employees are expected to make every effort to be available to assist the County Manager, Elected/Appointed Officials and Department Directors to ensure the continued operation of any and all necessary County functions. This may mean being available to perform additional duties and hours beyond what is normally required. In the event that an exempt employee does work more than 40 hours a week in support of County operations during an emergency, such employee may receive overtime or other appropriate wage compensation in accordance with existing County policies or at the discretion of the County.

Job Type: Full-time