Medicolegal Death Investigator

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

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The Opportunity:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

Join us at Multnomah County Health Department, where we are seeking individuals who embody leadership, achievement, and action in a dynamic and ever-evolving environment. Our mission is at the heart of everything we do: to collaborate with communities, advance health equity, safeguard the most vulnerable, and foster health and wellness for all. Guided by our core values of Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity, and Integrity, we strive to create a workplace culture characterized by respect, trust, and understanding for the incredibly diverse populations we serve in our communities.

Multnomah County's Public Health Division is a vital resource for residents, working to promote physical and mental health, prevent disease and injury, and ensure access to essential health services. Some of our key functions and services include: preventing and controlling diseases, supporting maternal and child health, addressing mental health and substance use, ensuring environmental health, and promoting health equity. 

The Multnomah County Medical Examiner Program investigates and determines the cause and manner of deaths which occur under specific circumstances in Multnomah County as required under Oregon Law (ORS Chapter 146). Investigation includes evaluation at the site where the death occurred, review of records, and an autopsy by a pathologist if necessary. The Medicolegal Death Investigator may determine if  the death resulted from criminal means. ME Office staff are directly involved with the families and loved ones of deceased individuals as well as the responder community (police, fire, mortuary services, accident investigators) on a daily basis. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner Program operates in partnership with the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office.

Medicolegal Death Investigators are designated as an Essential Employee under Multnomah County Personnel Rule 3-15-015, Essential Employees. This position is essential to the public health and safety, and required to report for duty regardless of County decisions to close or curtail other county operations.

As the Medicolegal Death Investigator, you will: 

• Investigate deaths as prescribed by Oregon statutes, to include homicides, suicides, accidents, natural deaths and any death in which there are questionable or unexplained circumstances

• Conduct investigations to determine the manner and cause of deaths, and whether they resulted from overt or natural causes

• Remove or facilitate the removal of remains from scene, preserving trace evidence

• Obtain hospital records, x-rays, ambulance reports; testify in court as necessary

• Respond to phone inquiries from families, funeral homes, hospitals, local law enforcement and other external customers

• Identify and notify next of kin, coordinate with health care professionals, paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement personnel

• Prepare comprehensive investigative reports Interact professionally and compassionately with families and loved ones of deceased individuals

• Collaborative with and maintain effective and trusting relationships with the responder community 

• Participate in community events, educational programs, lectures, career days, and public presentations for law enforcement training, schools, and other requesting organizations to broaden community awareness of program

Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; and much more. Find more details on our benefits website. 

Salary/Pay: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*:

• Education/Training equivalent to an associate's degree.

• One (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Licenses or Certificate: 

• Must have a valid Driver's License.

• Must be able to pass a Background check.

• Ability to Board Register with ABMDI w/in first 18 months of hire.

• Successful completion of Oregon Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator (OCMDI) course within 12 months of hire.

Other: 

• Knowledge of state and local laws regarding death investigations and human remains.

• Knowledge of crime scene investigation, processing, and evidence collection techniques.

• Thorough knowledge of human anatomy and medical terminology, especially as it pertains to pathology.

• Knowledge of weapons (and safe unloading), drugs, and legalities of securing possessions.

• Thorough knowledge of first responder health and safety requirements including basic firearms safety.

• Ability to secure, control, and account for property taken into custody, including pets.

• Ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate reports.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted. in the course of work and a variety of people from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to communicate sensitive information effectively, both orally and in writing to diverse audiences including emotional family members.

• Ability to examine and handle mutilated, decomposed, and partial human remains.

• Ability to lift and maneuver dead bodies.

• Ability to obtain biological specimens as required without mutilation of remains and to accurately describe remains.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING & EVALUATION:

REQUIRED: You must submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Complete an online application

2. Attach a resume that explains all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in your resume

3. Attach a document with responses to the following Supplemental Questions. (Please upload responses where you are asked to submit a resume.)

• Describe your experience in conducting investigations in a medical or law enforcement setting. Include where you received this experience, for how long, and to whom and how you reported your results.

• Describe your knowledge of investigative techniques as applied to medical or law enforcement investigations.

• Describe your experience in working with law enforcement personnel and agencies, relatives of decedents, funeral directors, and medical personnel.

• Describe how you obtained your knowledge of medical terminology and fundamentals of medical diagnoses.

• Describe your knowledge and experience in operating a computer.

• Do you have the ability to lift dead bodies?

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/ skills and how it is related to those shown in the overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.

Note: Please be mindful of checking your email inbox for messages upon submitting your application. You may be emailed requesting for additional items from the Recruiter or hiring manager. If a response is not received in a timely manner your application may not be considered. 

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of application/ resume and cover letter for minimum qualifications and all required attachments. If you do not address the minimum qualifications in the application, your application will be considered incomplete and will not move forward in the recruitment process.

• Phone screen

• Supplemental Questionnaire

• Oral exam

• Consideration of top candidates

• Background, reference, and education checks

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type of Position: This represented position is eligible for overtime.

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-exempt

Note: The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill regular, full or part time, temporary, and limited duration assignments for other available Medicolegal Death Investigator  positions.

Our Commitment to Safety, Trust and Belonging: Multnomah County is committed to developing, nurturing and continually improving workforce equity by identifying and addressing the structural and policy barriers to equal employment opportunity faced by our employees and communities. County employees across the organization have stepped forward to develop a strategic plan and help create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Learn more by reading our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and exploring our Core Competencies for all County employees

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters: Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

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Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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