Forensic Medicolegal Death Investigator I
- Summary
- Public Health Seattle and King County is looking for someone who is interested in Forensic Medicolegal Death investigation with the Medical Examiner's Office. If you have not heard of this type of position before, but are intrigued – please keep reading! This position will work in the Investigations section, a dynamic group of 14 dedicated individuals who work 24/7/365. The position will perform field and office activities related to the investigation of sudden, unexpected, and suspicious deaths.
Two positions available: 1 full-time, 1 part-timeWho May Apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates. If you applied to the previously posted position that closed on 2/2/21 your application will be eligible for consideration for these new positions as wellWork Schedule: Investigators typically work 4, 10 hour shifts per week. New investigators train during the day shift, and then move to night shift.Work Location: This position will be based at Harborview Medical Center, Medical Examiner's Office located at 908 Jefferson St. Seattle WA 98104, and will respond to scenes throughout the county.Application Process: The following completed items are required to be considered for this vacancy:- NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line or paper application
- Supplemental Questions with complete, thorough answers. Answers that say "see resume" will be considered incomplete.
- A cover letter describing your interest in the position, and what in your education and/or experience makes you an excellent candidate.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the standard information in the application. Include relevant information only on the resume or cover letter. If you reference "see resume" on your application it will be considered incomplete. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience. The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiringContact: For more information about the application process, please contact Debbie Baker at debbaker@kingcounty.gov - Job Duties
- Respond to and investigate death scenes; photograph, collect, and document evidence;
- Lift and transport human remains in various stages of mutilation and decomposition;
- Adhere to county mandated protocols regarding control and documentation of personal property;
- Document chain of evidence, and adhere to KCMEO process and protocols pertaining to collection and security of evidence;
- Effectively interview family members, witnesses, and notify next of kin of a death;
- Effectively gather and interpret medical records;
- Conduct investigations-typically by phone-to locate next of kin and arrange disposition of remains;
- Complete detailed investigative reports;
- Use MOE-specific software;
- Work closely with law enforcement, medical providers, and legal agencies;
- Release human remains and property to funeral homes;
Being an investigator calls on a broad range of personal attributes from the physical, to the intellectual, to the emotional—and an investigator needs to be good at all of them.- The ability to talk to and get information from a wide range of people about uncomfortable topics, in stressful situations.
- The ability to think on your feet – assess a situation and determine what needs to be done and how.
- While staff are not expected to have in depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and legal and medical terminology before being hired, it is essential that staff are able to learn and retain this information during training—and constantly update their knowledge throughout their career. Within 3 years of hire, all investigators are required to become certified through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.
- The ability to lift and maneuver a human body out of often tight spaces, and remove them with appropriate strength, leverage, respect and dignity.
- While the “in-the-field” aspect of this job is important, investigators spend the majority of their time in the office on the phone
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Ability to gain a knowledge of human anatomy and physiological functions; legal and medical terminology, and health and safety requirements relating to decomposed bodies during the first months of employment
- Ability to investigate and photograph death scenes, gather evidence; transport human remains, and secure, document, and control personal property and evidence
- Ability to lift, maneuver, and handle human remains averaging 175lbs, in various stages of mutilation and decomposition
- Ability to interview witnesses and family members, accurately document chain of evidence, gather information, and maintain detailed and accurate records
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and work with clients of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in a respectful and compassionate manner
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, co-workers, law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys and members of the public of different cultural backgrounds
- Ability to work reliably as a member of a multi-faceted professional team
- Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
- Supplemental Information
Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
The selected candidate will be required to pass a background investigation.
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time.
Union Affiliation:
This position is represented by WSCCCE L1652- Medical Examiner
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan. This position supports and advances King County's values for fair and culturally competent service delivery, innovative, effective and efficient application of resources, building a culture of performance, and expanding opportunities to seek input, listen and respond to industry and residents.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Describe your level of knowledge of skeletal biology, individual bone identification, medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. If you have limited knowledge, please describe how you would go about educating yourself on these topics.02Investigators examine and move decedents in all stages of decomposition, trauma and mutilation. Please describe your ability to handle these sights and smells.03This position handles evidence, case work, human remains and other confidential material. Please describe your experience in maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive and confidential material.04Describe your knowledge or experience with death investigation protocols. Please include where you obtained the knowledge or experience, your role and length of time in that role. If you do not have this knowledge, please describe similar experience and how you would go about learning death investigation.05Investigators must safely maneuver, extricate, and lift to chest height, bodies weighing an average of 175 pounds unassisted. Please describe your experience with lifting and leveraging heavy objects.06Investigators work at all times of day and night. The newest investigators typically work 4 -10 hour night shifts over the weekend, and this schedule may persist through the entire time of the special duty/TLT. Are you able to commit to this schedule?
- Yes
- No
07This position requires long hours of standing. Do you have the ability to stand for long periods of time?- Yes
- No
08This position requires the ability to drive a large truck. Do you have a Washington State Driver's license or the ability to get one prior to starting work, and the ability to drive large vehicles?- Yes
- No
09Are you interested in working full time at night?- Yes
- No
10Are you interested in working part time, during the day?- Yes
- No
11Please list any schedule limitations you have.12Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
13If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question