Address
Form of workSalary: $33.62 - $42.52 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Job Number: 24-00172
Department: Medical Examiner
Division: Medical Examiner-Operations
Opening Date: 02/13/2024
Closing Date: 3/30/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
This position is an on-site position and does not have remote work options.
UPDATE: APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY 3/8/24 WILL RECEIVE FIRST CONSIDERATION. JOB CLOSING ON 3/30/24.
Position Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is a rare opportunity to work as the Lead Forensic Autopsy Technician at the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO). PCMEO investigates sudden, unexplained, suspicious, unnatural, unlawful, and violent deaths that occur in Pierce County, which has a population of approximately one million. You will be responsible for assisting, and leading other Forensic Autopsy Technicians in assisting the forensic pathologists with photography, x-rays, CT-scanning, fluid draws, evisceration, evidence collection, and other tasks related to the forensic examination of a body. You will make important and skilled observations while providing essential assistance that is critical for the office in carrying out its public service mission to the residents of Pierce County. You will play an active role in advising on process improvement measures.
Why It's a Great Department:
You will join highly motivated and experienced Forensic Autopsy Technicians currently on staff and work under the supervision of a dedicated Postmortem Examination Supervisor. We function as a team to provide professional, thorough, consistent, impartial, and independent forensic examinations and medicolegal death investigations, and postmortem examinations. You will assist this small close-knit staff that performs a critical role for Pierce County.
PCMEO is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and is a stand-alone facility that boasts a Lodox™ full-body radiography machine and will soon be implementing CT (computed tomography) imaging on-site, along with a three-station autopsy suite with a single-station special procedures/isolation room. You will have a shared personal workstation.
For more information about our great organization, please visit by clicking
How to be Successful in the Role:
Bring your knowledge of forensic science and human anatomy along with motivation, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate and lead a small team, and you are sure to succeed. The right person for this position will have a high level of professionalism, discretion, and respect for our mission. Required skills include proficiency with basic and advanced Forensic Autopsy procedures and/or working in an anatomic pathology laboratory, knowledge of chain of custody procedures, and thriving in a busy environment with multiple competing priorities. Understand that you could be requested to work various shifts including some holidays, weekends, and evenings. Employees in this career position are considered essential employees and you may also be requested to report to work to assist with the continuation of operations during fatality surges.
Your Future in this Role:
You will be the team lead of 3 Forensic Autopsy Technicians and 1 Transport Agent with the supervision of a Postmortem Examination Supervisor. In addition to having your own cases, you will help train others on the Technical Team with Forensic Autopsy procedures and ensure the casework is done according to protocol. You will have input in the development of new protocols and improvement of existing protocols. Employees take part in continuing education opportunities.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
Qualifications
Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity please:
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01
After closely reviewing this job announcement, why do you believe you would be an outstanding candidate for this opportunity?
02
How many years of training in a medical related discipline or related scientific field do you have?
03
How many years of experience do you have assisting with autopsies and/or pathology laboratory work?
04
If you do not meet the minimum experience requirement in previous questions, do you have any additional education or related experience that you wish to substitute for the minimum recruiting requirements?
05
If yes to the above, please specifically describe the type of experience, training, and/or education, that you believe would qualify you for this position. If you've already met the minimum requirements in Questions 1. and 2. type "N/A".
06
Please attach a current resume/CV and brief letter describing your interest in this position. Did you include your resume/CV and your letter of interest?
07
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Job Number: 24-00172
Department: Medical Examiner
Division: Medical Examiner-Operations
Opening Date: 02/13/2024
Closing Date: 3/30/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
This position is an on-site position and does not have remote work options.
UPDATE: APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY 3/8/24 WILL RECEIVE FIRST CONSIDERATION. JOB CLOSING ON 3/30/24.
Position Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This is a rare opportunity to work as the Lead Forensic Autopsy Technician at the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO). PCMEO investigates sudden, unexplained, suspicious, unnatural, unlawful, and violent deaths that occur in Pierce County, which has a population of approximately one million. You will be responsible for assisting, and leading other Forensic Autopsy Technicians in assisting the forensic pathologists with photography, x-rays, CT-scanning, fluid draws, evisceration, evidence collection, and other tasks related to the forensic examination of a body. You will make important and skilled observations while providing essential assistance that is critical for the office in carrying out its public service mission to the residents of Pierce County. You will play an active role in advising on process improvement measures.
Why It's a Great Department:
You will join highly motivated and experienced Forensic Autopsy Technicians currently on staff and work under the supervision of a dedicated Postmortem Examination Supervisor. We function as a team to provide professional, thorough, consistent, impartial, and independent forensic examinations and medicolegal death investigations, and postmortem examinations. You will assist this small close-knit staff that performs a critical role for Pierce County.
PCMEO is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and is a stand-alone facility that boasts a Lodox™ full-body radiography machine and will soon be implementing CT (computed tomography) imaging on-site, along with a three-station autopsy suite with a single-station special procedures/isolation room. You will have a shared personal workstation.
For more information about our great organization, please visit by clicking
How to be Successful in the Role:
Bring your knowledge of forensic science and human anatomy along with motivation, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate and lead a small team, and you are sure to succeed. The right person for this position will have a high level of professionalism, discretion, and respect for our mission. Required skills include proficiency with basic and advanced Forensic Autopsy procedures and/or working in an anatomic pathology laboratory, knowledge of chain of custody procedures, and thriving in a busy environment with multiple competing priorities. Understand that you could be requested to work various shifts including some holidays, weekends, and evenings. Employees in this career position are considered essential employees and you may also be requested to report to work to assist with the continuation of operations during fatality surges.
Your Future in this Role:
You will be the team lead of 3 Forensic Autopsy Technicians and 1 Transport Agent with the supervision of a Postmortem Examination Supervisor. In addition to having your own cases, you will help train others on the Technical Team with Forensic Autopsy procedures and ensure the casework is done according to protocol. You will have input in the development of new protocols and improvement of existing protocols. Employees take part in continuing education opportunities.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
- Assign work to a specific work unit and ensure tasks are completed correctly and timely.
- Coordinate facilities work requests and projects in the autopsy area.
- Provide training to new and existing staff.
- Prepare body for autopsy; weigh and measure human remains; incise body; dissect and remove organs; take tissue and fluid samples from the body and forward related information and samples to laboratories for further analysis; restore organs to body; and suture and clean body.
- Assist forensic pathologist in the collecting and handling of trace, physical, and biological evidence and finger and palm prints.
- Operate x-ray equipment; take photographs of human remains; coordinate handling, storage, and transfer of film and photographs; and maintain all related records and files.
Qualifications
- Additional education or related experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
- Two or more years of training in a medical related discipline or related scientific field.
- Two or more years' experience assisting with autopsies and/or pathology laboratory work.
- Experience performing lead worker duties.
- Photography experience with use of DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
- Full competency in using both the Rokitansky and Virchow autopsy procedures without additional training is highly desired.
- Skill in objective observation.
- Effective communication skills - verbal and written.
- Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Washington State driver's license is required. Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and follow State driving laws.
- An employee in this position is subject to 24-hour availability and must be willing to work non-standard hours, as required.
- This recruitment requires a CV and letter of interest highlighting why you're interested in this position. Not including both will result in an incomplete application.
Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity please:
- Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
- Submit a current resume and cover letter with your application.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01
After closely reviewing this job announcement, why do you believe you would be an outstanding candidate for this opportunity?
02
How many years of training in a medical related discipline or related scientific field do you have?
- None
- Some to less than 1 years
- 1 year to less than 2 years
- 2 years to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 5 years
- 5 years to less than 10 years
- More than 10 years
03
How many years of experience do you have assisting with autopsies and/or pathology laboratory work?
- None
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 3 years
- 3 years to less than 6 years
- 6 years to less than less than 10 years
- More than 10 years
04
If you do not meet the minimum experience requirement in previous questions, do you have any additional education or related experience that you wish to substitute for the minimum recruiting requirements?
- Yes
- No
05
If yes to the above, please specifically describe the type of experience, training, and/or education, that you believe would qualify you for this position. If you've already met the minimum requirements in Questions 1. and 2. type "N/A".
06
Please attach a current resume/CV and brief letter describing your interest in this position. Did you include your resume/CV and your letter of interest?
- Yes
- No
07
