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Job Description
Salary
- Summary
- The King County Medical Examiner’s Office Division of Public Health | Seattle & King County is seeking a Forensic Medicolegal Death Investigator 1 to join our team!
People want to work as Death Investigators in the King County Medical Examiner’s Office because we are one of the largest jurisdictions in the country, and our geography makes for an interesting mix of cases. KCMEO also enjoys a very positive reputation across the country, and jobs with us are highly sought after. The KCMEO team is hard working and committed to the work they do—from administrative staff to doctors, everyone is deeply committed to the work, and the role they play in the lives and deaths of people in King County.About King County Medical Examiner’s Office:
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office is an interesting and challenging place to work. Forensic Medicolegal Death Investigators investigate all sudden, unexpected, and suspicious deaths that take place in King County. They go to the scene of the death, interview people on the scene, take photographs, assess postmortem changes in the decedent, collect evidence, and bring the decedent back to the Medical Examiner’s Office. Next, they confirm the identity of the decedent, find next of kin. and notify them of the death. They write up a report and gather additional information (such as medical records) for the forensic pathologist to use in determining cause and manner of death.Growth Opportunities;
KCMEO is a learning environment with undergraduate and graduate interns, medical students, residents, and forensic pathology fellows around at all times. There is a weekly training which provides continuing medical education credit and can help investigators advance toward their certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI). All investigators also attend a week-long training at the Criminal Justice Training Center. ABMDI diplomats can work towards promoting to Investigator II within five years (this is done by merit, experience and initiative, not as a competitive hire—there is no limit to the number of Investigator II positions). There is one Investigations Lead, and an Investigations Manager above the Investigator II positions. The Investigations skillset and investigations experience can set someone up for other jobs within KCMEO. There are currently two former investigators in management positions (2 of 3), and 2 current members of the Real Time Overdose Surveillance Project used to be investigators. Another noteworthy thing is that this is a job that many people think of as a career. Three of our current investigators have been in their roles for more than 20 years.Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Work Location:
Harborview Medical Center, Ninth & Jefferson Building 908 Jefferson Street, Second Floor Seattle, WA 98104 Investigators respond to scenes all over King County.
Work Schedule:Investigators work 4-10 hour days (or nights). These are typically Sunday through Wednesday or Wednesday through Saturday, but there are sometimes other schedules. Investigators may work nights and days for part of their training, but after training will be scheduled at night. Night shifts may continue for several years, as schedule choice is based on seniority.
- Job Duties
- Respond to and investigate death scenes; photograph, collect, and document evidence;
- Lift and transport human remains by yourself, weighing an average of 175 lbs, 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 and computer-to locate next of kin and arrange disposition of remains;
- Conduct computer investigations to gain additional pertinent information;
- Complete detailed investigative reports;
- Use KCMEO-specific software;
- Work closely with law enforcement, medical providers, and legal agencies;
- Answer phone calls;
- Release human remains and property to funeral homes;
- Do a variety of additional tasks related to the work of KCMEO.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):
- A basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiological functions
- Ability to gain 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 determine a course of action in ambiguous situations
- Ability to interview witnesses and family members, often in the midst of trauma, 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
- Washington state driver’s license, or the ability to gain one prior to employment
- Ability and willingness to obtain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation diplomat status within 5 years of hire.
Desired Qualifications:- Experience in a related field (medical assistant, medic, paramedic, nurse, autopsy tech, etc.)
- Ability to fluently speak one of the languages most commonly spoken by limited English speakers in King County (Spanish, Amharic, Somali, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Ukranian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Tagalog).
- Supplemental Information
- 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.
Who May Apply:The vacancy is open to all qualified applicants.
Application Instructions:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
Please do not copy and paste your entire job history as your answers to the supplemental questions, as these will be considered incomplete.
Necessary Special Requirements:- The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
- For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- When public health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign you duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
- Due to the nature of this position gathering evidence and the potential of court testimony, the Forensic Medicolegal Death Investigator cannot be on the Brady List.
Union affiliation:This position is represented by the WSCCCE L1652.Contact:
For more information about the application process please contact Mark Lacy at Mlacy@kingcounty.gov.Other Information;
This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional?career service, term limited temporary (TLT), short-term temporary (STT), or special duty assignment (SDA) vacancies over the next 6 months.?
- $39.05 - $49.50/hour
