Forensic Morgue Technician

Salary: $23.68 Hourly
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 12434
Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Division: Morgue
Opening Date: 03/06/2024
Closing Date: 4/6/2024 11:59 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants: 100
Position Description
Mission
The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.
Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
  
• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
  
• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist pathologists during post-mortem examination including opening the thoracic, abdominal and cranial cavities.
  
• Closes post-mortem incisions and facilitates storage of decedents.
  
• Fingerprints decedents following post-mortem examination
  
• Accepts, preserves and is accountable for clothing, property, and valuables belonging to decedents.
  
• Performs x-rays as needed for forensic studies.
  
• Works the morgue control desk as needed to include releasing decedents and personal property to establishments bearing authority from next of kin and accurately enters information into the database.
  
• Records and reconciles decedent inventory on a daily basis.
  
• Maintains the safety, sanitation, and custodial conditions of the morgue on a daily basis.
  
• Participates in special studies of the morgue as directed by the Director of Morgue & Histology Services.
  
• Provides assistance to other Medical Examiner staff as needed or requested by the Director of Morgue & Histology Services or Morgue Services Supervisor.
  
• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.
  
• Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
All applicants must register and take the HRRM Clerical Skills Test and score a minimum of 85% with a typing speed of 30 wpm and 85% accuracy.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx/jobs/998426/hrrm-clerical-skills-test
Please see testing instructions in the General Information section below.
MUST INCLUDE COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS (OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL)
MUST PROVIDE A HANDWRITING SAMPLE (INCLUDING A SAMPLE OF HANDWRITTEN NUMBERS)
Education:

• Associate of Arts/Science degree or equivalent (60 college hours) from an accredited college or university in Biological Sciences, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Physical Anthropology, or a related field.

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass Harris County Clerical Test with a score of at least 85% on all sections including a typing score of 30 wpm with 85% accuracy.
  
• Must provide a DNA sample to be maintained by the Forensic Genetics Laboratory for quality assurance purposes.
  
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Must demonstrate basic computer skills to include standard Microsoft Office applications.

Licensure:

• Must maintain a valid driver's license for the duration of employment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must maintain the confidentiality and integrity of applicable information.
  
• Must possess the ability to deal physically and psychologically with death and human remains in various stages of decomposition, disease, and trauma.
  
• Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and randomly after employment)

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Language:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish

General Information
Register Online for the HRRM Clerical Skills Test using the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx/jobs/998426/hrrm-clerical-skills-test

• Click the above link to the HRRM Clerical Skills Test registration page
• Click on "Apply" to submit your request for testing
• You will receive a test invitation and instructions via e-mail within 48 hours
• You will have no more than 5 calendar days to access and complete testing
• Your score will be automatically uploaded to your application
• The test may be taken once every 30 days
• Most recent test scores are retained for up to 6 months

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | 40 hours per week
  
• Work hours between 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
  
• Includes weekends and holidays. Weekend rotation is 4 weekends on/ 4 weekends off.

Work Environment:

• Morgue/ Laboratory Setting
  
• Possible exposure to blood / bloodborne pathogens.

Physical Requirements:

• Physical strength to move and lift decedents weighing over 200 pounds from stretcher to autopsy table and storage using acceptable techniques.
  
• Must have full range of motion and finger dexterity for grasping, holding, and pushing to handle a variety of tools for evisceration and suturing of decedents.
  
• Must be physically able to stand for extended periods of time and tolerate unpleasant odors from decomposed decedents.
  
• Must be able to effectively don and doff appropriate personal protective equipment (including N95 mask, gown, face protection, as well as self-contained breathing apparatus as required).
  
• Ability to wear personal protective gear for extended periods (hours) while assisting with postmortem examinations.

Additional Information:

• Responds to emergency/disaster situations and functions as essential personnel during emergency operations.

Location:

• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences - 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement pension (TCDRS)
  • Flexible schedules (varies by department)
    • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Biological Sciences
• Criminal Justice
• Forensic Science
• Physical Anthropology
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03
Have you completed a minimum of 60 college hours from an accredited college or university in Biological Sciences, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Physical Anthropology, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

04
Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.
05
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions:Advanced:A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Intermediate:A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Basic:A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.Entry Level:A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

06
This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire)Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date
• No, I'm not interested

07
Are you bilingual in English and Spanish? If yes, do you consider yourself fluent?

• Yes, I am fluent in both of these languages
• No, I am fluent in only one of these languages
• No, I am not fluent in either one of these languages

Required Question