Salary : $242,733.84 Annually
Location : Spokane WA 99202, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 22-00249
Department: Medical Examiner
Opening Date: 02/05/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Job Summary
Conducts death investigations, performs postmortem examinations, supervises support staff, provides expert testimony, assists with office administration, and may serve as acting department head in the absence of the Chief Medical Examiner.
BENEFITS & INCENTIVES

• Paid Washington and Idaho state medical license fees and renewals, professional association fees, and training and education costs (up to $3,000 per year)
• 11 paid holidays. Paid Time Off starts out at almost 2 days per month accrual.
• Comprehensive Medical (including prescription drug benefits and vision care) and Dental Plans
• Long Term Disability Coverage
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan (WA State Public Employee's Retirement System)
• Tax Deferred Compensation Plan (457B)
• NAME accredited office in a new state-of-the-art facility which became operational in June, 2020
• J1 visa holders, fellows in training welcome to apply

TOTAL COMPENSATION: $310,699 annually.Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.
Examples of Duties
This position is 37.5 hours per week.
Directs and performs timely post mortem examinations, retaining samples, specimens, and tissues necessary for analysis, examination, and documentation as prescribed by existing practices of forensic pathology.

Prepares or oversees the preparation of written autopsy and other postmortem examination reports using appropriate reporting form and convention.

Issues reports or records in writing of the cause and manner of death where such determinations are not dependent upon further investigation.

Keeps and maintains appropriate records, reports, and other documentation regarding investigations as well as physical evidence transferred to or from other investigative agencies.

Helps supervise the Medical Examiner's Office and the morgue and related autopsy rooms, including hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluation of staff. Helps establish goals and objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Office.

Confers with and provides expert testimony on cases performed as required by the court system.

Meets with family members of decedents as requested.

Visits the scene of death or site of discovery of remains to provide professional assistance as needed.

Follows policy and protocol for handling of organs and tissues, and appropriate handling of bodies and items found on or about said bodies.

Assists with the administration of unclaimed and indigent decedents program.

Ensures the confidentiality of reports and records of autopsies or post mortems.

Assists in the training of Medical Examiner Office staff.

Helps facilitate accreditation of the Medical Examiner's Office by the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Maintains chain of custody for evidence that comes into possession or control of the Medical Examiner Office.

Participates in the education and training of medical students and resident physicians.

Works non-standard hours as needed, including on-call status.

Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of medicine and completion of an accredited forensic pathology fellowship training program.
Licensing and Certification: Licensed as a Medical Doctor in Washington State and Idaho State. Must obtain Forensic Pathology Board Certification from the American Board of Pathology within three (3) years of appointment.
Must successfully pass a background check.
Selection Factors

Considerable Knowledge of:
•forensic medicine and pathology to include both medical and legal aspects surrounding sudden and unnatural death.
•operations, services and activities of a death investigation agency.
•laws, rules, and regulations affecting certification of death, release of bodies, custody of the property of deceased persons and related matters.
•methods, practices, equipment and procedures of handling deceased individuals; data collection, statistical analysis, and report writing principles and techniques.
•forensic autopsy practice standards.
•medical examiner office accreditation standards.

Ability to:
•perform autopsies and related postmortem examinations.
•interpret toxicology and other laboratory test results
•prepare detailed technical reports.
•solve complex death investigations.
•help develop and implement departmental procedures and standards and evaluate their efficiency.
•plan, direct and evaluate the work of subordinates.
•communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
•use strong interpersonal skills, including ability to interact and cooperate with co-workers and to deal effectively with families, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, court personnel, county commissioners, other government officials, and the general public.
SPOKANE COUNTY
Employee Benefits Summary

The following is a brief list of benefits available to Spokane County regular employees. Complete information is available from Human Resources Department. This information is subject to change.
PAID TIME OFF
Spokane County Observed Holidays
Up to 10 (ten) paid holidays are observed by Spokane County.

PTO
Non-represented and a select group of represented employees receive a bank of hours that combine both vacation and sick leave into a paid time off bank. There is no waiting period to use this time and it starts out at almost 2 days per month accrual increasing in accrual rates annually for first 5 years.

Vacation
For employees with less than five (5) years of continuous service, the accrual rate is 1 day of vacation each month for a total of 12 days per year. After six (6) months, employees are eligible to take accumulated vacation time. (Please note the vacation time accumulation may vary depending on contract language).

Sick Leave
Sick leave is earned at 1 day per month and can be taken as the days are accumulated.

Other Leaves
Spokane County provides several other paid leaves such as: bereavement leave, jury duty and military duty leave.

INSURANCE BENEFITS
Medical Insurance
Two plans are currently available: Premera Blue Cross (PPO) and Kaiser Permanente (HMO). Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents. Premiums are deducted each pay period (pay periods: 15th and last day of the month).

2023 Rates:

Premera
Employee Only: $38.04 per month
Employee & Spouse: $149.52 per month
Employee & Family: $209.60 per month
Employee & Child(ren): $136.16 per month
Kaiser:
Employee: $35.92 per month
Employee & Spouse: $140.56 per month
Employee & Family: $196.06 per month
Employee & Child(ren): $128.58 per month

Dental Insurance
Two plans are currently available: Delta Dental of Washington (PPO) and Willamette Dental (DMO). Spokane County pays 95% of the premium for full-time employees and 90% of the premiums for spouses and dependents.

2023 Rates :

Delta Dental Willamette Dental
Employee: $5.74 per month Employee: $5.98 per month
Family: $11.48 per month Family: $11.96 per month
Group Life Insurance
The County provides a $25,000 group life insurance policy to employees. The County provides a $10,000 benefit for those represented by 492, 492CS & 492CL. This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.

Long Term Disability Coverage
Provides an income protection benefit in the event of a long-term illness or injury at rate of 60% of income up to a maximum of $5,000 per month. Spokane County pays the full premium for this plan. Deputy Sheriff's receive a benefit through their union for disability.

RETIREMENT

Retirement Plan (401a)
Spokane County employees are automatically included in the Washington State Retirement System. Both the employer and the employee contribute to the plan. This retirement plan provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit once vested and eligible for retirement.

Additional Retirement Plan Option (457b)
Employees may supplement their retirement income and save money on taxes by participating in this optional County program. Roth (after-tax) option is also available through this retirement plan.

VOLUNTARY BENEFITS

AFLAC
Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay for benefits not covered by major medical insurance. The employee pays 100% of the premium.

Travel Assistance
Provides additional travel protections anytime you travel more than 100 miles from home. Includes pre-trip information, emergency ticket replacement, and emergency evacuation coverage. This benefit is paid in full by Spokane County.
Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
Spokane County sponsors a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account to allow out-of-pocket Medical & Daycare Expenses to be paid with Tax Free Dollars. Premiums are automatically set up pre-tax under the FSA.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance
Voluntary Term Life Insurance is additional optional life insurance provided through The Standard Insurance. New employees are guaranteed up to $50,000 for self and $20,000 for a spouse with no medical underwriting needed.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS
Employee Assistance Program
Employees and their family members are eligible to receive free counseling. There are also benefits relating to financial and legal concerns.

Reduced Cost Bus Pass Program
Spokane County participates in a program with STA which discounts bus passes to $5 a month.

Wellness Programs
There are opportunities for nearby exercise programs at reduced cost and education programs around wellness themes including financial well-being, nutrition and stress reduction.

Discounts
There are local and national discounts available to Spokane County employees.