Medicolegal Death Investigator Supervisor

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Medical Examiner Specialist (S)

Position Number

65034636

Grade

MH13

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Medicolegal Death Investigator Supervisor oversees the Medicolegal Death Investigations Unit within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). This position manages daily operations, personnel, and program development to ensure 24/7 statewide coverage for medicolegal death investigations. Responsibilities include directing investigative activities, implementing policies and procedures, and coordinating with law enforcement, public health, and other agencies. The role also supports training initiatives and ensures compliance with statutory and forensic standards. Work is performed as part of the OCME management team to maintain operational efficiency and investigative integrity.

Key Duties Include:
-Oversee and manage daily operations of the Medicolegal Death Investigations Unit to ensure continuous statewide coverage.

-Supervise and evaluate staff performance, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and disciplinary actions.

-Develop and implement policies, procedures, and protocols for medicolegal death investigations.

-Coordinate and plan staff schedules to maintain 24/7 operational readiness, including holidays and weekends.

-Direct and monitor investigative activities, including jurisdiction determination, scene documentation, and evidence handling.

-Manage program budgets, inventory, and procurement of supplies and equipment for the unit.

-Facilitate communication and collaboration with law enforcement, attorneys, funeral homes, and other external partners.

-Oversee the unclaimed remains process, including approval of cremations and compliance with state regulations.

-Design and deliver training programs for staff and external stakeholders on medicolegal death investigation practices.

-Assist with postmortem examinations and identification procedures, including photography, radiography, and evidence collection.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $53,423.00 - $80,134.00Recruitment Range: $53,423.00 - $58,633

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Proven experience conducting death scene investigations, including thorough documentation, evidence collection, and collaboration with law enforcement, while maintaining strict adherence to chain-of-custody and reporting protocols.

• Demonstrated experience in supervisory experience including recruitment, hiring, on-boarding and training, annual reviews, performance improvement planning, disciplinary actions, and separations.

• Demonstrate skill in using Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel, to prepare investigative reports, track case metrics, and support inter-agency communication and training documentation.

• Experience providing forensic training and mentorship to interns, students, or professionals in topics such as medicolegal jurisdiction, identification techniques, and death scene documentation, with a focus on program coordination and knowledge transfer.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End DateThis Position Is Required To Report Onsite In RALEIGH, NC For Its DutiesPHYSCIAL REQUIRMENTS:

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects

About the NC Division of Public Health:

The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME):

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) leads the North Carolina Medical Examiner System, a statewide network of physicians and health professionals responsible for investigating deaths that are sudden, unexpected, or occur under suspicious or violent circumstances. OCME ensures that these deaths are thoroughly and scientifically evaluated to support justice, public safety, and public health. Learn more at ocme.dhhs.nc.gov

Located in a state-of-the-art facility in Raleigh, OCME offers modern workspace, convenient access to major highways and universities, and amenities including on-site wellness resources, professional development programs, and staff recognition initiatives.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process:

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in science (biology, chemistry, physiology, criminal justice, anthropology, forensic sciences, biochemistry, etc.) or related field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of medicolegal death investigation experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Dejah Victoria Seksay

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov