Under general direction performs death scene investigations including photography of death scenes, interviews, collection of medical documentation, notifications, safeguarding of personal property, and related duties.
Deputy Coroner new hires will be assigned to a Field Training Officer which will include standardized training protocols on how to handle death investigations involving the various manners and causes of death. During training, the new hire will respond to death scenes with Deputy Coroners which may be anytime day or night. Upon successful completion of the training program the candidate will be placed on the monthly Deputy Coroner On-Call Rotation Schedule. While training, the new hire will be compensated at an hourly pay rate of $25.00 per hour. Once the new-hire is placed on the Deputy Coroner On-Call Rotation Schedule, rate of pay will be to $50.00 per hour.
Special Note: This is an intermittent part-time position that requires employees to be on call 24/7 for a minimum of one (1) week a month and work nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees must be able to respond to calls within thirty (30) minutes. Living in or near Carson City is required, and employees must have reliable transportation. Prior professional experience dealing with death either in a medical or law enforcement capacity is preferred.
** This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made. **
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and Experience:
Associate’s degree, preferably an Associates of Science, AND two (2) years of experience in a medical occupation or law enforcement OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:
PREFERED LICENSE
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American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) registry certificate is preferred at time of hire or must be obtained once eligible.
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Must complete Deputy Coroner training and demonstrate competency.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:
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Principles of chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, and related physical sciences.
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Criminal investigative techniques and procedures, including protocols for handling and preserving evidence.
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Human anatomy and physiology, and postmortem changes in the body.
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External evidence of disease therapy and the associated diagnoses.
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Current methods and techniques to prevent the spread of infectious and contagious disease.
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Grief counseling techniques.
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Terms and acronyms commonly used in legal, medical, pharmacology, and diagnostic procedures.
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Able to operate a computer and standard office equipment and familiarity with information management systems and software programs used in the workplace.
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Principles and regulations related to criminal or forensic investigative and service functions.
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Procedures for the collection, identification, and storage of evidence.
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Record management principles and practices.
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Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
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Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
Skill in:
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Recognizing aspects of human anatomy and physiology related to identification of human and non-human remains and cause of death.
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Accurately observing, recording, and recalling information.
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Exercising sound judgment and making appropriate decisions under adverse circumstances.
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Analyzing information and situations and arriving at logical conclusions.
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Exercising emotional control.
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Interacting considerately with next-of-kin, witnesses, hospital personnel and others involved in death investigations.
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Overseeing and conducting complex criminal investigations or forensic medical examination process.
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Documenting findings and writing thorough and factual narrative reports.
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Communicating verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
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Establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
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Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
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Using tact, discretion, and prudence in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work; dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Under General Direction- Incumbents at this level have considerable latitude in the application of departmental policy, and they follow general guidelines or professional and administrative standards in accomplishing assignments. They are responsible for planning and organizing their own workload, but ordinarily cannot change methods of their assigned work unit, established operations, or departmental policy without supervisor approval. Supervision is minimal, indirect, and usually limited to technical oversight.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mobility to work in a typical office setting with vision to read printed materials, hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods, often on uneven and steep outdoor terrain, ability to kneel and navigate various obstacles in cramped and unkempt environments, strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and stamina to tolerate and work effectively in various harsh weather conditions for extended periods of time. Ability to tolerate foul smells, dust, chemicals, toxic substances, body fluids, gross insect activity and exposure to chaotic traffic conditions.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
1. This is an on-call, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) non-exempt, at-will position. Employees in at-will positions may be discharged for any reason or no reason.
2. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
3. City employees are required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
4. Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.
5. New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and a drug screen which costs $36.50. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
6. Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
