Deputy Coroner Investigator I/II/III

County of Shasta (CA)•Redding, CA

56d

About The Position

Deputy Coroner Investigator I: Under direct supervision, to investigate and report on deaths which fall within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff-Coroner and to take custody of the deceased when required; to establish the identity of the deceased; to locate and deliver notification of death to next of kin; to safeguard the property of the deceased; to inter the indigent and/or unclaimed dead and to perform other related duties as assigned. Deputy Coroner Investigator II: Under limited supervision, to investigate and report on deaths which fall within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff-Coroner and to take custody of the deceased when required; to establish the identity of the deceased; to locate and deliver notification of death to next of kin; to safeguard the property of the deceased; to inter the indigent and/or unclaimed dead and to perform other related duties as assigned. Deputy Coroner Investigator III: Under direction of the Chief Deputy Coroner, the Deputy Coroner Investigator III will oversee the work of subordinate personnel as assigned by the Chief Deputy Coroner; investigate and report on deaths which fall within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff-Coroner; take custody of the deceased when required; establish the identity of the deceased; locate and deliver notification of death to next of kin; safeguard the property of the deceased; inter the indigent and/or unclaimed dead and perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:
Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of death and criminal investigation, including interviewing methods and techniques; techniques for gathering and preserving evidence; medical and scientific terminology common to death and criminal investigations; basic toxicology, physiology, human anatomy, medical terminology, standard abbreviations and basic pathology of death; procedures involved in assisting a physician/pathologist in post-mortem examinations; hygienic methods and practices as applicable; techniques involved in the handling and examination of bodies for trace evidence; rules of evidence; basic laws and regulations governing the activities of the Sheriff-Coroner's Office; basic functions of a Coroner's Office.
Ability to: Discover, collect and evaluate evidence; interview witnesses and obtain reliable information; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; safely and skillfully lift, remove and transport corpses with slight to obese frames; perform heavy lifting; walk over rough terrain; work under unpleasant or stressful conditions; perform postmortem external examinations and obtain tissue and fluid samples from bodies; safely handle infectious materials; compose accurate, comprehensive and objective reports; testify in court; read and understand maps; use good judgement in choosing among available alternatives; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; compassionately work with the public and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, allied agencies and the public.
Deputy Coroner Investigator I: Two (2) years of law enforcement experience, coroner's experience, or other investigative work involving the locating and interviewing of witnesses and preparing reports of findings.
Deputy Coroner Investigator II: Three (3) years of law enforcement experience, coroner's experience, or other investigative work involving the locating and interviewing of witnesses and preparing reports of findings.
Deputy Coroner Investigator III: Four (4) years of law enforcement experience, coroner's experience, or other investigative work involving the locating and interviewing of witnesses and preparing reports of findings, including at least two (2) years of experience in a coroner's office.
Additionally, successful completion of a supervisory course must be completed within one (1) year of employment.
Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Successful completion of the PC 832 Arrest and Firearms Course within one (1) year of appointment.
Successful completion of the 80-hour POST Death Investigations Course within one (1) year of appointment.

Responsibilities

Answers, responds to, and sufficiently investigates calls involving deaths of human beings
Works regular assigned hours of coverage and provides standby coverage after normal hours of work when assigned
Lifts, moves and transports the deceased
Collects relevant information in the course of an investigation so to make determinations as to the cause, mode and manner of death
Ensures scene photography when necessary
Secures, collects and preserves the property of the deceased then releases it to the next of kin
Documents all relevant information respective to the death investigation
Obtains relevant medical information, evidence and specimens
Interviews witnesses
Cooperates with the law enforcement community, the funeral chapel/cemetery community, and the medical community
Provides testimony in court or when deposed through a legal process
Establishes the identity of the deceased through the searching for and obtaining of any and all available information relevant to their identity, and by obtaining fingerprints and by documenting their distinguishing physical characteristics and specimens
Cleans morgue facility and equipment
Provides indigent burial/cremation application forms to those who may qualify for indigent burial/cremation benefits
Receives and retains completed indigent burial/crem
Identifies individuals who are responsible for the custody and final disposition of the deceased, assists in arranging autopsies and helps arrange for services of forensic or medicolegal specialists
Assists the forensic pathologist or pathologist with autopsies
May arrange for the testing and safe transportation or storage of toxicology samples, application forms, ensures that the benefit requests are valid, then reports to the chief deputy coroner or his/her designee for approval or denial of the burial/cremation benefits
Coordinates indigent burial/cremation with the contract funeral chapel
Complies with all applicable California laws governing cemeteries, funeral directors and coroners
Acts as a liaison between the Sheriff-Coroner and the Public Administrator to ensure the transference of the decedent's assets to the Public Administrator, or back to the Sheriff-Coroner from the Public Administrators
Assists in maintaining the inventory of property belonging to the County and performs other related duties as assigned
Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of the Coroner's Office personnel (Deputy Coroner Investigator III)
Assists in selection, trains, instructs, and evaluates subordinate staff (Deputy Coroner Investigator III)
May assist in the training of new and existing staff (Deputy Coroner Investigator III)