Coroner Investigator I (Part Time)

Employment Type : 2 - Part-time Temporary

Pay Range : $ -

Overtime Exempt : N

Elected Office / Department : CORONER

Under general supervision of the Coroner and / or 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.

Generally, the hiring range is $$ per hour. Qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position will be taken into consideration when determining hiring salary

This position is not eligible for benefits.

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 in determining the manner and cause of death.

Consoles families through the death and grieving process, and guides family through actions of office policy and procedure.

Presents tissue donation opportunities and assists families with honoring donation procurement wishes.

• 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 for training purposes, mass fatality incidents, or as necessary. 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, perform surgical incisions, 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.

• Regularly attends and achieves on-going training within the many facets of the profession. May represent the office at public outreach and education events.
• Maintains department equipment in a clean and safe working condition.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED : General supervision by the Coroner and / or 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCE :

• A High School Diploma, or GED equivalent
• Up to one year of related experience (such as proven and documented death / crime scene investigation, autopsy / surgical assisting, emergency medical services, law enforcement, nursing, or organ / tissue procurement) within the last ten years.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES :

Knowledge :

• Understanding of rules, laws, and goals specific to the coroner’s office.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, physiology, anatomy, and current death investigative practices.

Skill :

• 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.
• Possess spelling grammar, punctuation and writing skills necessary for professional communication.

Abilities :

• Ability to exercise mature judgment and react effectively and professionally in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to drive County vehicles in adverse conditions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS :

• Certification with the Colorado Coroners Association is required within one year of hire.
• 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.
• This position requires successful completion of a criminal background check including fingerprinting through a national database.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Physical 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 fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, 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.

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, push, pull and / or move up to one hundred (100) pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus and distinguish colors.

Material and Equipment Directly Used : Office equipment, basic hand tools, power tools and small motorized equipment and vehicles.

AVAILABILITY / ACCESSIBILITY : This position requires scheduling of 40 hours per week, in any configuration ensuring 24 / 7 / 365 coverage of operations.

Must be able to work a changing and rotating schedule : days, evenings, graveyard shifts, weekends and holidays; additionally : on-call, overtime, emergent response, and extra shifts as needed.

Scheduling may change in advance, or last minute, to accommodate open shifts, light duty, sick leave or vacation time of other employees.

Last updated : 2024-04-27