Deputy Civilian Coroner

JOB POSTING FOR LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY

Position Title: Deputy Civilian Coroner

Organization: Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office

Pay Rate: $27.84 per hour to $29.47 per hour

Position Type/Status: Regular, Full-time, Non-exempt

Closing Date: May 8, 2025

Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office is recruiting for a Deputy Civilian Coroner. Under direction of the Sheriff-Coroner, the deputy civilian coroner will perform examinations and investigations into determining the cause, manner, and circumstances related to the death of deceased persons.

Who We Are

The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office is the chief Law Enforcement agency in Lewis & Clark County, Montana. It is comprised of over 120 employees including sworn officers, detention officers and professional support staff. The Sheriff's Office provides general law enforcement, detention functions, rural fire support and search and rescue operations for the citizens of Lewis & Clark County in a service area of over two million acres. Additionally, this agency provides specialized regional services to the entire county and contract law enforcement to specific areas.

The Sheriff, who is elected by the residents of Lewis & Clark County, is the chief executive officer of the agency. He and his command staff manage the day-to-day investigations, evidence management, civil process and a number of support operations necessary to provide full law enforcement coverage and services for Lewis & Clark County.

Currently, the Sheriff's Office provides regional/resident law enforcement services in Lincoln and Augusta as well as contract law enforcement services at Canyon Ferry Lake during the summer. These services include general patrol services and the D.A.R.E. program, as well as any necessary investigative services.

Mission Statement

Dedicated to providing professional law enforcement services in partnership with the community.

Vision Statement

To enhance the quality of life in Lewis & Clark County through progressive law enforcement, quality personnel, innovative training and incorporating the latest technology.

Benefits

Lewis and Clark County offers a competitive benefits package!

Includes:

• Health Coverage – 2 Types of Health Plans which includes medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy coverage.
• Traditional Plan - cost for employee only is $50 per month and with the Wellness incentive, the cost may be reduced to $0 per month for full-time employees.
• High Deductible Health Plan – cost for employee is $0 per month and a additional $1200 per year to a Health Savings Account for full time employees.
• PureView Health Center – preferred clinic provider and no cost to the employee and his/her dependents
• Retirement plans
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays
• Employees are provided with $25,000.00 of Life Insurance and $25, 000.00 of AD&D insurance as a new employee.
• Wellness Screening Incentive
• Gym Membership Reimbursement
• Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the County may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF. Look here to learn more and see if you may qualify!
• https://fed-pro.org/public-service/

Other Benefits

Includes:

• Working in a fast-paced environment
• Opportunity to serve on a variety of different committees
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Cost of living increases
• Market adjustments
• Step based wage increases
• Paid parental leave

Duties

• Performs examinations and may request autopsies of deceased persons;
• Conducts preliminary examinations of deceased persons;
• Locates signs of trauma;
• Identifies factors that would indicate time of death;
• Inquiries into the cause, manner, and circumstances of human deaths;
• Establishes the identities of deceased persons;
• Completes death certificates;
• Observes, records, and preserves objects and personal property related to deaths, including but not limited to medication containers and suicide notes;
• Notifies next of kin;
• Provides notice of human deaths to county attorney and law enforcement agencies;
• Completes reports and forms required to finalize cases;
• Provides information concerning the circumstances of death to relatives;
• Inventories personal effects recovered from bodies, including but not limited to jewelry or wallets;
• Coordinates the release of personal effects to authorized persons;
• Removes or supervises removal of bodies from death scenes;
• Facilitates the disposition of unclaimed corpses and personal effects;
• Testifies at inquests, hearings, and court trials;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and tasks may change with or without notice.

Examples of Knowledge

• Knowledge of Montana Code Annotated related to duties and responsibilities of Coroner, Coroner’s Office procedures;
• County policies and procedures;
• Crime scene protocols;
• Medications, firearms;
• Record-keeping associated with storing and safeguarding evidence;
• Policies, procedures and protocols for maintaining evidence;
• Basic law enforcement terminology;
• Administrative and clerical procedures and systems.

Examples of Skills & Abilities

• Ability to use physical and chemical methods to process evidence according to prescribed standards;
• Apply rules, regulations, and policies according to applicable standards;
• Operate computer hardware and related software, including word processing, spreadsheet software;
• Use photographic equipment according to prescribed standards;
• Use office equipment;
• Apply rules, regulations, and policies according to office standards;
• Generate written reports according to prescribed standards;
• Maintain records according to prescribed standards;
• Maintain detailed logs and records;
• Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions;
• Arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules;
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Establish effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, and citizens.

Qualifications

The knowledge, skills and abilities for this position are acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and one (1) year experience working with evidence, inventory control, inventory management, or related. Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or Human Anatomy and Physiology and Inventory management/control, paramedic or other relevant, experience preferred. Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Successful applicant must attend Coroner Basic Course within six (6) months of appointment.

Special Requirements

Successful applicants must attend Coroner Basic Course within six (6) months of appointment and complete 16 hours of continuing education every 2 years thereafter per Montana Code Annotated. Must have a valid driver’s license and pass a background check and pre-employment drug screening.

Physical Demands

Duties are generally performed in an office environment where hazards and discomforts are controlled and modifiable. Must be able to access off-site locations in various weather conditions. This position requires the ability to bend at the waist, kneel, reach over the head, talk, hear, and see. Must be able to lift, carry, drag, or push/pull an average body weight of 100 to 200 lbs. or more, both alone and with help. Position requires knowledge and use of typical office equipment (copy machines, telephone, computer and transcription machine), evidence collection kits, and cameras. This position requires frequent contact with fellow employees and citizens.

Application Instructions

Applications for this position are accepted online only through our career portal. Job Opportunities - Lewis & Clark County (lccountymt.gov)

www.lccountymt.gov/Government/Human-Resources/Job

The following items are required along with the on-line application:

• Resume - Attach resume to online application in designated section
• Cover Letter - Attach cover letter to online application in resume upload section as well. More than one document can be uploaded.

For questions on this position or on the application process, please call (406) 447-8316 or e-mail kgrose@lccountymt.gov.

Disclaimer: Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.84 - $29.47 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Helena, MT 59601 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Helena, MT 59601: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $1,200