What are the responsibilities and job description for the Coroner's Office Intern position at Charleston County, SC?
Salary : $0.00 Hourly
Location : North Charleston, SC
Job Type : Temporary
Job Number : CORINTERN
Department : Coroner
Opening Date : 01 / 12 / 2025
Description
THE CHARLESTON COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE
The Charleston County Coroner's Office is a state-of-the-art agency dedicated to conducting independent investigations of various types of deaths and serving as a representative to decedents and their survivors. The Coroner's Office conducts thorough medicolegal death investigations with compassion and specialized expertise. The Coroner's Office also has an in-house autopsy suite that allows for timely, yet thorough post-mortem examinations.
Duties and Responsibilities
THE OPPORTUNITY
Duties may vary, depending upon current project needs of the division and the intern's assigned section. Examples of duties include investigative assistance which may involve speaking with families of decedents, medical and law enforcement personnel, and mortuary staff; observation and support of forensic assistants during autopsies and in processing remains and evidence; and records / administration tasks related to specialized projects pertaining to data collection and processing, and records.
Assignments may provide experience related to the following activities :
- Assist at death scene investigations under the direct supervision of a Deputy Coroner
- Observe and provide support during autopsies under the direct supervision of the Supervisor of Forensic Services or the Forensic Pathologist.
- Assist with data collection and / or analysis
- Records management
- Screen incoming calls
- Review records to identify details relevant to a death investigation
- Process evidence on non-criminal cases
Interns will be expected to present to the staff on a medicolegal death investigation related topic of their choice at the conclusion of the internship.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Those applying for an internship with the Coroner's Office are expected to have completed their first year at an accredited college or university prior to the start date of the internship and must be pursuing or have completed a bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, anthropology, criminal justice or a closely related field.
Minimum GPA of 2.8 is required . (Be sure your GPA is highlighted on your unofficial transcripts)
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must be familiar with basic death investigation principles and / or physiology / anatomy; must be comfortable while interacting with the public both in person and via phone; and must have demonstrated experience in customer service. Specific skill requirements will vary depending upon available projects and your assigned section. Basic computer skills are required. Applicants must be able to work independently on projects as assigned.
TIME COMMITMENT
Internships are offered year round and require 8 or more hours per week (up to 20 hours per week) for 3 months, with the possibility to extend up to 6 months, at the discretion of the Coroner. Schedules may vary, depending on specific tasks and intern availability. Hours will be scheduled Monday - Friday 8 : 30am to 4 : 30pm.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INTERN
Although this is an unpaid internship that does not include employee benefits, the position offers participants an excellent experience in working within a large county Coroner's Office. It also provides an opportunity for interns to explore career options, gain knowledge and skills that complement their academic studies, build resumes and network with professionals in the medicolegal death investigation environment.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Candidates will need to upload a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts to be considered. Selected candidates will be interviewed by the project(s) leader and intern coordinator.
Once an application is made, the selection process includes a review of application materials, an interview and a thorough background investigation. Applicants who have been selected for an interview will be contacted to schedule that interview.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Background investigations will be conducted on applicants who have successfully interviewed for the internship and wish to pursue placement.
The following documents will be completed by qualified applicants during the background investigation :
As part of the background investigation, applicants will be required to provide three references along with original copies of the following documents (NOTE : Do NOT attach these documents to your application) :
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMAIL NOTIFICATION :
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
This is a temporary position and no benefits are associated with it.
