What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator position at Tillamook County?
Union Affiliation: None
Work Schedule: Regular Full Time/On Call
Hours Per Week: 40/Variable
INTRODUCTION
Death investigations are a necessary function under Oregon law and fall under the direction of the district medical examiner and the district attorney. The Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) is responsible for conducting death investigations as well as coordinating the Tillamook County MDI program. The position requires a person who can respond to scenes throughout Tillamook County and follow medical guidelines as well as criminal procedure in the event of a homicide investigation. As a secondary role, the Chief MDI will assist as a District Attorney investigator. This position is designed for someone who can work independently in a collaborative environment. While the position falls under the District Attorney’s office, it affords great latitude. It requires exceptional time management, organization, and communication skills. If you are a curious person with an eye for detail and a desire to have control over your schedule, this may be the right job for you!
(Duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following examples. Any one position may not perform all listed tasks.)
- Conduct death investigations pursuant to ORS Chapter 146.
- Coordinate Tillamook County MDI program, to include recruiting, scheduling, and supervising part-time MDIs.
- Respond to scenes of death investigation when necessary/as directed by Medical Examiner and/or respond to location where body was transported following initial on-scene investigation (may occur at any hour). Examine body, assist with recognition/protection/collection of evidence including recovery and identification of human remains, preserve evidence relating to the cause and manner of death, obtain blood and body fluids.
- Interview relatives of the decedent, medical care provider interviews, acquire/interpret medical records, and provide necessary technical expertise in the investigation of violent or suspicious deaths; refer relatives of the decedent to victim services staff as needed.
- Prepare, maintain and provide state mandated death investigation reports, record death certificate information, create and maintain database of county medical examiner cases, maintain state mandated documentation of medical examiner cases, prepare and maintain statistical data.
- Initiate and update policies as directed by the county medical examiner or as the state requires.
- Perform investigative functions as directed by the District Attorney, including but not limited to follow up investigations, search warrant applications, witness/victim interviews, trial preparation, and discovery assistance.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, criminal justice, or other similar field to provide sufficient education to satisfy the job requirements; OR
- Five or more years of increasingly responsible, professional experience in areas of medical practice, law enforcement, corrections, or similar field that provided the candidate with relevant experience to meet the job requirements.
- Within 6 months of hire: become registered member of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators and complete a course in death investigation as required by the District Attorney.
- Valid Oregon driver’s license
ABILITIES
- Meet physical demands of position to include walking in sometimes difficult terrain in all weather conditions, driving in all lighting/weather conditions, sitting for long periods in front of computer screen.
- Respond to calls after business hours and on holidays/weekends.
- Draw biological specimens as required; accurately describe remains; examine mutilated, decomposed and partial remains.
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Proficiently operate computer software programs as used by DA’s Office and State Medical Examiner’s Office
- Effectively manage time and caseload
- Collaborate multiple agencies/parties
- Maintain professionalism during stressful events and when working with others, to include sometimes hostile or emotional individuals
- Maintain CJIS clearance
- Follow DA and Tillamook County Policy and Procedures
- Walking, stepping, squatting, bending, balancing, fine motor control.
- Ability to withstand exposure to confined spaces, working at heights, slippery and/or uneven surfaces, adverse weather conditions, environmental, biological, and/or health hazards, and unpleasant elements at death scenes.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The position coordinates the MDI Program. This includes ensuring part-time MDIs are compliant with legal requirements for death investigations as well as the Tillamook County MDI Program policies and procedures. Responsible for maintaining schedule for part-time MDIs to ensure 24/7 coverage is available.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Tillamook County covers costs of required training.Salary : $71,436 - $97,776
