Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.
Employee Type:
Regular
Department:
Medical Examiner
Salary:
$57,387.20 - $79,955.20 Annually / $4,782.27 - $6,662.93 Monthly / $27.59 - $38.44 Hourly
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Overtime Eligibile:
Yes
Job Posting Date Range:
06/15/2026 - Until Filled
Job Summary:
WHO MAY APPLY: This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) submitting applications between 6/15/26 and 6/22/26.
The position allocated to this class responds to and participates in the on-scene investigation of unnatural and/or unattended deaths in a 24-hour operation. Incumbents assist with autopsies and are familiar with all autopsy room procedures. Duties include preparing investigative reports, as required. Positions serve under the general direction of the Chief Medical Examiner or designee. In the field, work is performed with considerable independence.
Job Description:
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Fields phone calls to the Medical Examiner's Office that are reporting deaths, and determines jurisdiction of each case reported,
- Travels to the scene of homicides, suicides, accidental, questionable and/or unattended deaths as required in accordance with established call schedule.
- Takes custody of remains in accordance with prescribed protocol and procedure.
- Performs initial on-scene examination of remains; collects on-site scene information and evidence to include drawing of body fluids and specimens by examining the bodies of decedents, taking pictures, securing physical evidence on the body or within proximity of the body and noting other physical evidence or circumstances relevant to the death.
- Conducts joint investigation of circumstances of death in association with law enforcement officials attending the scene; works with law enforcement officials to ensure next-of-kin death notification.
- Manages difficult situations with family members and the general public
- Collects information relevant to or related to cause and manner of death.
- Conducts external examination of bodies as required in individual cases and photographs all pertinent investigative features at the scene.
- Conducts investigations for next of kin of deceased persons and investigations for unidentified deceased persons.
- Provides follow-up information to families pertaining to the cause and manner of their loved one’s death and gives advice and information on death dispositions.
- Conducts interviews eliciting pertinent past and present history from persons associated with the decedent. Obtains and reviews medical histories and records from private physicians or health care agencies.
- Logs and tracks property and evidence and ensures chain of custody of evidence is maintained.
- Oversees the removal and/or release of body to appropriate agencies or funeral homes.
- Conducts removal and transportation of body from local hospitals and funeral homes.
- Collects data and prepares comprehensive case reports on death investigations in accordance with pre-established policy and procedure, ensuring accuracy and completeness of information.
- Conducts follow-up investigations as required.
- Communicates and consults with law enforcement personnel, funeral homes and other agencies to expedite disposition of the case.
- May be required to give sworn testimony in a deposition or before a court or other legal tribunal.
- Practices appropriate environmental safety and/or infection control methods.
- Assists in autopsies including photography, collection of personal effects and/or evidence, direct contact with remains/evisceration, procurement of tissue samples, procurement of toxicology samples and fingerprints, labeling of containers and other forms, transfer of remains to funeral home.
- Assists in cleaning/decontamination of autopsy suite; ordering, stocking and maintenance of equipment and supplies; and storage and documentation of evidence and tissue samples.
- Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Associate’s degree from an accredited college and university, in the field of law enforcement, forensic science, biology, health science or related area, and
- Three (3) years of related work experience.
- An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
- Must be certified in Core Investigative Training through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission within one (1) year of date of hire.
- Must be certified as a Medicolegal Death Investigator by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators within two (2) years of date of hire and maintain certification throughout employment.
- Possession of a valid driver's license at time of hire and for the duration of employment.
- SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Applicant must be willing to sign confidentiality statement related to information obtained related to personal data of decedents.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background investigation.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and/or biology.
- Knowledge of cameras and photographic procedures.
- Knowledge of safety and infection control standards.
- Knowledge of law enforcement procedures in relation to crime scene investigation and evidence identification.
- Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
- Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of professionals including law enforcement agencies and funeral home directors.
- Skilled in the use of personal computers.
- Skilled in handling crisis and emergency situations.
- Ability to work different shifts within a 24/7 operational schedule, including weekends and holidays; specific shift assignments determined through an established bidding process.
- Ability to lift and manipulate heavy objects.
- Ability to work with distressing procedures and circumstances and/or unpleasant odors.
- Ability to understand and communicate medical/forensic information and terminology.
- Ability to respond to scene investigations in a timely fashion.
- Ability to provide legal testimony, if required by law.
- Ability to maintain quality safety and infection control standards.
- Ability to maintain chain-of-custody procedures with respect to evidence collection and personal effects.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality with respect to information gathered during on-scene and autopsy investigations.
- Ability to extrapolate pertinent factors related to death investigations from medical records.
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS
All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:
- Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.
- Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
- Integrity: Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
- Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- The work environment is a mix of in-office and in the field. When in the office, the noise and temperature levels are moderate. When in the field, noise and temperature levels will vary and the environment may include physical or biological hazards such as steep terrain, unsafe structures, and/or infectious diseases.
- The work environment may involve: considerable exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, noxious odors and various chemical agents; moderate to heavy physical activity; handling objects weighing up to 300-400 pounds; standing or working for more than four hours per day; exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include use of protective equipment; tuberculosis tests and voluntary vaccinations.
- Work requires travel within the County, exposing the employee to weather extremes, various forms of precipitation and the hazards associated with travel on public roads.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. As every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may reasonably be considered incidental in the performing of their duties as though they were included in this job description.
Total Compensation:
$73,456 - $102,343 Annually
Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.
