Coroner's Investigator

County of Chester•Government Services Center - Westtown, PA

25d

About The Position

The Coroner’s Investigator assists with the daily administrative and operational functions of the Coroner’s Office, including investigations, case management, death certificate processing, evidence handling, decedent transportation, and support for office staff. The role may involve assisting with examinations and transportation of decedents, and requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This is an Essential Employee position; employees must report as scheduled or remain at work during emergencies and may be assigned to office or field duties under adverse conditions for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks. The investigator may act in place of the Coroner, Chief Deputy Coroner, and First Deputy Coroner when directed and when both are unavailable. The position includes investigations and reporting, next-of-kin notification, records and evidence collection, case follow-up and review, cremation authorizations, coordination with funeral homes and organ procurement teams, testimony, accreditation support, and liaison and training activities. The investigator also provides backup for office functions such as reception, databases, records, releases, inventory, and coordination of unclaimed remains and cremains. Optional cross-training as an autopsy technician may include scheduling examinations, assisting with evisceration and photography, documenting evidence and personal effects, maintaining chain of custody, coordinating decedent releases, cleaning and maintaining morgue equipment, handling specimens and testing, and reviewing autopsy and laboratory reports.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a major relevant to the position.
Obtain ABMDI certification within the first 18 months of employment.
Experience in a coroner or medical examiner office, a medical or pre-hospital setting, or at least one 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 six months of starting employment.
Be over age 21 and have a valid driver’s license and current insurance; must be able to drive a county vehicle and personal vehicle for county business.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experience working with the public.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
Ability to work any shift, sometimes on short notice, including overnights, weekends, and holidays.
Follow office standard operating procedures.
Intermediate Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook (email and calendar) skills.
Advanced internet skills for research purposes.
Frequently stand, walk, sit, bend at the waist, and talk or hear; occasionally reach or work with arms above shoulder height, kneel, stoop, crouch or squat, crawl, climb stairs, climb or work on a ladder, and twist or rotate at the waist.
Ability to turn, lift, or carry decedents weighing up to 100 pounds for 150 feet, with assistance if necessary due to weight, and to drive a vehicle.
Vision adequate to drive and read written or computer records.
Maintain confidentiality and professionalism, remain courteous and composed under stress, and interact professionally with law enforcement, EMS, next of kin and other family members, and first responders.
Ability to work extended hours with little or no notice, work holidays as needed for a 24/7/365 schedule, adapt to change, and deal with various personalities and emotionally charged and sensitive circumstances.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a major relevant to the position.
D-ABMDI certification or eligibility within six months.
Strong knowledge of QuincyTech or other death investigation case-management software.
Knowledge of County policies and procedures.
Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Strong time-management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

Act in place of the Coroner, Chief Deputy Coroner, and First Deputy Coroner as needed and directed when both are unavailable.
Investigate assigned cases, including scene and phone investigations, and complete written narrative reports.
Update case data and case-management systems, and verify that electronic files are created for new cases.
Issue pending death certificates in the electronic death registration system (EDRS).
Locate and notify next of kin, including conducting interviews to collect data.
Secure records from hospitals, physicians, specialists, and other sources; subpoenas may be required.
Collect, photograph, and log evidence, personal effects, and medications while maintaining chain of custody; coordinate proper medication disposal with the District Attorney’s Office.
Follow up on investigations for own cases and other investigators’ cases.
Review records and reports to finalize cases and issue amendments to final death certificates.
Review and oversee the monthly department schedule and help fill open shifts.
Assist with peer review of investigators’ reports.
Issue cremation authorizations for cremation requests occurring in Chester County.
Arrange transport and cremation of unclaimed bodies and fetuses with funeral homes or cremation services.
Communicate with organ procurement teams; review case information with a supervisor for harvest approvals or declinations, arrange transportation, and order photographs, diagnostic testing, and ME kits.
Assist with liaison duties for the Department of Emergency Services, county hospitals, long-term care facilities, and funeral homes on training, death certificates, or investigation issues.
Help assess staffing needs, fill staffing gaps, and provide training and mentoring as needed.
Assist interns by providing shadowing opportunities in the office and on scenes.
Testify in criminal and civil proceedings.
Assist with obtaining and maintaining national accreditation of the Coroner’s Office.
Represent the office in available task forces.
Facilitate or provide transportation of human remains as needed.
Assist with collection of toxicological and microbiology specimens for testing as needed.
Perform other duties and office functions assigned by the Coroner, Chief Deputy Coroner, or First Deputy Coroner.
Provide backup support for office staff, including answering and directing calls, making outgoing calls, greeting visitors, and performing receptionist duties.
Maintain databases, logs, and spreadsheets.
Release personal effects to next of kin, law enforcement, and funeral homes, and release evidence to law enforcement, documenting and maintaining chain of custody.
Communicate with funeral homes on jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional cases, releases of remains, death certificate issuance, and cremation authorizations.
Maintain a spreadsheet and organize unclaimed cremains in the evidence room; coordinate their release to appropriate persons while documenting chain of custody.
Coordinate burial of veteran and non-veteran unclaimed decedents.
Maintain inventory of investigator supplies in the office, gear bag, and investigator vehicles, and request replenishment when supplies fall below threshold.
Coordinate courier services for package pickup and delivery.
If cross-trained as an autopsy technician, schedule examinations; assist with evisceration and photography; document personal effects and evidence; maintain chain-of-custody documentation; coordinate decedent releases; clean the morgue and instruments; maintain morgue and autopsy equipment; assist with autopsy-suite inventory; collect and ship specimens; order additional testing such as radiology; receive and review autopsy and laboratory reports; and perform other assigned duties.
Fulfill mandatory training requirements within three months of hire.