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Form of workYour job in the department is to . . .
Conduct death investigations in cooperation with law enforcement and work closely with the County Medical Examiner.
Death Investigation Functions:
- Conduct investigations of all manner of deaths; examine human remains, and work with law enforcement and funeral homes to take custody of the body, the personal effects of the deceased, and any weapons, instruments, vehicles, buildings, or premises which are believed to be involved in the death.
- Conduct a forensic examination of the body; assist with recognition/protection/ collection of evidence including recovery and identification of human remains, acquire/interpret medical records, preserve evidence relating to the cause and manner of death, obtain blood and other body fluids.
- Interview relatives of the decedent, medical care provider interviews, and provide necessary technical expertise in the investigation of violent or suspicious deaths.
- Receive and respond to phone calls from law enforcement, hospitals, and care facilities about deaths occurring under those jurisdictions.
- Prepare, maintain and provide state mandated death investigation reports including recording death certificate information.
Criminal Case Functions:
- Prepare and provide expert witness documentation for use in court trials and hearings, may be required to testify in criminal and civil proceedings related to the cause and manner of death.
- Provide consultation, examination and, if needed, testimony in criminal cases.
Other Functions:
- May represent the Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator and/or act on their behalf in their absence.
- Follows all safety rules and procedures established for work areas.
- Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Education Level
High School Diploma / GED
Certifications:
Certification(s) required
Specifics: OCMDI, NAME, or NIJ certified 40-hour course in death investigation must be completed within 3 months of hire.
Driver's License:
Oregon Driver's License required
Specifics: Must obtain within 30 days of hire.
Desirable Qualifications: Prior experience has a nurse or paramedic preferred. Bilingual and/or bicultural competencies for Latino population.
Knowledge of:
- Human anatomy.
- Advanced course work in biology, physiology, or chemistry.
Skill or ability to:
- Strong writing skills with an understanding of complex and detailed medical and legal terminology.
- Draw biological specimens as required; accurately describe remains; examine mutilated, decomposed, and partial remains.
- Effectively communicate with the county Physician Medical Examiner and the State Medical Examiner Pathologists in relaying concerns of the family or the medical community ensuring adequate follow-up with any of those parties.
- Effectively and empathetically communicate information regarding policies, science, medicine, and state statutes while in emotionally charged situations with a variety of public and professional individuals.
- Effectively communicate through grand jury, inquest and/or courtroom testimony.
- Represent the Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator and/or act on their behalf in their absence when called upon.
- Convey information, ideas, and facts both orally and in writing to supervisors, colleagues, and individuals, inside and outside the County, using language and a format the audience will best understand.
- Utilize computers and other technology to communicate in written and verbal forms (e.g., word processing, texts, emails, spreadsheets, department-specific software).
- Effectively relate well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the County. Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and working to maintain constructive working relationships.
- Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Show up to work on time, and follows instructions, policies, and procedures. Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Job Conditions: The Medicolegal Death Investigator is an on-call 24/7 position including weekends and holidays. The work is performed both indoors and outdoors in a variety of environments and in all weather conditions. Duties may involve strenuous physical activity, extensive driving or computer time, as well as exposure to unpleasant elements at death scenes. Frequent exposure to biological hazards. Commonly encounters grieving and/or volatile individuals at scenes, during the course of investigation, and subsequent to investigation.
Work Location: Lincoln County. This position will be based in Newport; however, it requires the ability to work at any of our locations and to respond throughout the County at death scenes.
Travel: Local travel to County facilities and to attend community meetings will be required frequently. Frequent travel throughout the County for investigations at death scenes. Occasionally will be required to travel out of the local area for various meetings, conferences, and trainings.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands are typical of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical capability to handle high mobility demands and complex personal interactions.
- Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light to heavy work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate to heavy weight (50-100 pounds).
- Sensory Requirements: Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Most tasks require oral communications ability. Most tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
- Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Lincoln County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Employment Type: Part-Time No Benefits
