Position Description

The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office (MMEO) Anoka County mission is to serve the community in their greatest time of need, we strive to provide answers to the families and loved ones of those gone. We speak for the deceased through hard work, respect and diligence. We have an opportunity for a positive person with strong communication skills to join our team as the first point of contact for the public and our partners.

The department has an immediate opening for Forensic Technician This hands-on role assists forensic pathologists in the preparation and performance of medicolegal autopsies and examinations. You will remove human tissue and organs and collect evidence and blood samples to send out for forensic and research studies.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, on-siteposition. Interviews will take place the week of July 1, 2024 for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• Salary: $54,017.60 to $63,460.80 ($25.97 to $30.53 per hour).

• 2024 Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 30: $54,017.60 to $72.904.00 ($25.97 to $35.05 per hour).

• 24 days of paid Flexible Time Off and up to 12.5 paid holidays.

• Comprehensive insurance including medical, dental, vision, flex benefits and more.

• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.

• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.

• Advancement/professional development opportunities.

Learn more about our robust benefits package by going to our website. https://anokacountymn.gov/3385/Full-Time-Employee-Benefits

Work Location

• This position will work at Midwest Medical Examiner's Office, located at 14341 Rhinestone St. NW, Ramsey, MN 55303.

• Expected work hours are 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. but may vary.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Forensic Technician.

• Assemble instruments and perform medicolegal autopsies and examinations including removing/dissecting organs and tissue specimens, collecting pertinent samples and evidence, and providing documentation by means of photography and written records. Perform specialized dissections/procedures including posterior neck dissection, reconstruction of wounds, removal of spinal cord, jaws, organ blocks, posterior removal of eyes.

• Perform evisceration/dissections on difficult cases including decomposed bodies, burned bodies, severe trauma bodies and infectious bodies.

• Label tissue cassettes and blocks tissue following autopsy when indicated for histology. Transport tissue cassettes to histology and store remaining tissue.

• Obtain pertinent medical records, investigative reports, and related information for the pathologist prior to the autopsy procedure. Prepare the body prior to autopsy, including inventory and documenting personal effects and evidence and maintain proper chain of custody.

• Collect, record, store, and send appropriate specimens for further studies and testing, including toxicology, histology, chemistry, microbiology, DNA, and sexual assault exams as requested.

• Enter fingerprints, photographic evidence, observations, measurements, weights, other pertinent data in departmental report forms and logs. Obtain digital x-rays using slit scanning radiography machine as directed by Forensic Pathologist.

• Assist pathologist in follow-up studies of autopsy results. Accurately submit preliminary autopsy reports to the appropriate agencies within 24 hours or the next working day after completion of postmortem exam.

• Communicate with funeral directors, transporters, law enforcement, tissue donation personnel, death investigators, etc. regarding autopsy-related matters.

• Perform admit/release procedures for proper tracking of bodies and their property while in the custody of the morgue. Assist in the release of weapons to law enforcement following the conclusion of the death investigation.

• Facilitate release of remains with funeral homes following postmortem examinations.

• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group as assigned.

• Provide assistance with calls, report, and dispatching of Field Investigators in the Office Investigator division, as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Bachelor's degree and 2 years of job-related experience.

• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

• Have a working understanding of death investigation principles and practices.

• Successfully pass driver's license background check and CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) access check.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Previous experience working as a Forensic Technician

• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, pharmacological and medical terms, disease processes, applied psychology and investigative practices and techniques.

• Knowledge of basic firearm types and their operation

• Knowledge of the duties of the Medical Examiner as put forth in MN Statute *390.

• Understand death scene investigative methods and procedures for all types of deaths and ability to correlate information contained in scene reports and photos with the body as presented at autopsy

• Effectively communicate and respond to grieving and highly distraught individuals, medical community, law enforcement, public safety agencies, funeral homes, professional regulatory agencies, community at large.

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Laboratory or morgue environment, indoor and outdoor field work sites based on assignment

• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades, and brightness

• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds

• Ability to detect, discern, and tolerate a wide range of scents required for safety and performance of essential duties

• Cognitive abilities required include problem solving, prioritization of tasks, short- and long-term memory, interpreting and understanding written documents, and general mathematical skills

• Assignments require several hours of varied physical activity in addition to viewing a computer screen, sitting at a desk, or walking/standing

• Physical activity may include repeated bending, stooping, reaching, frequent wrist and finger manipulation to complete computer work and handle medical equipment with a high degree of accuracy, and occasionally pushing carts weighing over 300 lbs.

• Regular lifting of 100 lbs. or more

• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment in addition to Forensic equipment depending on assignment

• Forensic equipment may include but is not limited to syringes, scalpels, needles, bone saws, medical imaging equipment, and personal protective equipment

• Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions

• Occasional travel to other county work sites as needed

• Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle

• Exposure to bodily fluids, infectious agents, radiation, toxic or caustic chemicals, and other hazards is possible while performing essential duties

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions

Selection Process

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, we depend on the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. We offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences who can come together for the single purpose of serving Anoka County's 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: http://www.anokacountymn.gov/er-faq

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO