Coroner's Investigator- PT

The Coroner’s Investigator will assist with the daily operations of the Coroner’s office for both Administrative and Operations functions of the office.

This position requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  This is an Essential Employee position.  Essential employees are obligated to report to work as scheduled or remain at work during emergencies.  Following is the Duty Statement for Essential Employees: “Carries out essential job functions or assigned emergency duties which may involve assignments within the Coroner’s Office, deployment to a field location to participate in emergency management activities, or other duties as required during periods of emergency.  If received, emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions and continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks”. 

A criminal background check is required.

• Act in place of the Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner as needed and directed when both are not available
• Respond to dispatches, determine case jurisdiction, respond to jurisdictional death scenes, conduct investigations including interviews, secure medical and other records, take photographs, arrange transport of the deceased, write reports as per department SOPs, conduct searches for next of kin, and carry out other duties/tasks as may be assigned by the Coroner/Chief Deputy Coroner
• Assist in following up investigations for other investigators, including finalizing cases and preparing death certificates
• Provide back-up support for office staff to include competency of basic office procedures
• Assist with preparation of the monthly department schedule including distribution, filling of open shifts and entry into the Emergency Services program
• Assist in peer review of investigators’ reports, issuance of cremation authorizations, letters of lateness, and evidence/records request forms.
• Assist as assigned with community outreach, including presentations to medical and educational organizations and participation on relevant Task Forces (e.g. Suicide Prevention, Overdose Prevention)
• Assist in providing training and mentoring, as necessary, to other staff members
• Testify in criminal and civil proceedings
• Assist in obtaining and maintaining the National Accreditation of the Coroner's Office
• Facilitate and/or provide transportation of human remains, as necessary
• Perform other duties, tasks and office functions as determined and assigned by the Coroner or Chief Deputy Coroner.

Qualifications / Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a major relevant to the position
• Experience in a coroner or medical examiner office or experience in a medical or pre-hospital setting or at least 1 year of law enforcement experience or mortuary or funeral home experience
• Obtain and maintain certification as an investigator through the Pennsylvania Coroner’s Education Board within 12 months of start of employment and obtain ABMDI-certification within the first 18 months of employment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working with the public.
• Strong supervisory skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work any shift, sometimes on short notice
• Must reside in Chester County

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience: 

• D-ABMDI certification or eligible within 6 months
• Experience as a Medicolegal Death Investigator
• Knowledge of County policies and procedures
• Excellent ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision
• Accurate and detail-oriented
• Excellent time management and organizational skills

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have: 

• Basic to Intermediate Microsoft Office skills including Intermediate PowerPoint skills
• Strong knowledge of QuincyTech or other death investigation case management software
• Basic skills to use the Internet for research purposes