Deputy Coroner Investigator I/II

County of Shasta•Redding, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Deputy Coroner Investigator I/II to investigate and report on deaths that fall within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff-Coroner. This role involves taking custody of the deceased, establishing their identity, notifying next of kin, and safeguarding their property. The position also includes interring the indigent and/or unclaimed dead. The Deputy Coroner Investigator I is an entry-level position requiring direct supervision, while the Deputy Coroner Investigator II is a journey to advanced journey level position requiring limited supervision and handling more complex duties. Both roles require the ability to work regular assigned hours of coverage and provide standby coverage after normal hours when assigned. The position has limited peace officer status as described in Section 830.35(c) of the California Penal Code, and requires successful completion of specific courses within one year of employment.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Knowledge of principles and techniques of death and criminal investigation, including interviewing methods and techniques.
Knowledge of techniques for gathering and preserving evidence.
Knowledge of medical and scientific terminology common to death and criminal investigations.
Knowledge of basic toxicology, physiology, human anatomy, medical terminology, standard abbreviations and basic pathology of death.
Knowledge of procedures involved in assisting a physician/pathologist in post-mortem examinations.
Knowledge of hygienic methods and practices as applicable.
Knowledge of techniques involved in the handling and examination of bodies for trace evidence.
Knowledge of rules of evidence.
Knowledge of basic laws and regulations governing the activities of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.
Knowledge of basic functions of a Coroner’s Office.
Ability to discover, collect and evaluate evidence.
Ability to interview witnesses and obtain reliable information.
Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Ability to safely and skillfully lift, remove and transport corpses with slight to obese frames.
Ability to perform heavy lifting.
Ability to walk over rough terrain.
Ability to work under unpleasant or stressful conditions.
Ability to perform postmortem external examinations and obtain tissue and fluid samples from bodies.
Ability to safely handle infectious materials.
Ability to compose accurate, comprehensive and objective reports.
Ability to testify in court.
Ability to read and understand maps.
Ability to use good judgment in choosing among available alternatives.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to compassionately work with the public and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, allied agencies and the public.
Two (2) years of experience in a medical, nursing, medical examiner, coroner, mortuary, law enforcement, or investigative field (for Deputy Coroner Investigator I).
Three (3) years of experience in a medical, nursing, medical examiner, coroner, mortuary, law enforcement, or investigative field (for Deputy Coroner Investigator II).
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.

Nice To Haves

The Deputy Coroner Investigator I may receive training from Deputy Corner Investigator II.
The Deputy Coroner Investigator II may be responsible to train less experienced Deputy Coroner Investigators.

Responsibilities

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.
Answer, respond to, and sufficiently investigate calls involving deaths of human beings.
Work regular assigned hours of coverage and provide standby coverage after normal hours of work when assigned.
Lift, move and transport the deceased.
Collect relevant information in the course of an investigation to make determinations as to the cause, mode and manner of death.
Ensure scene photography when necessary.
Secure, collect and preserve the property of the deceased then release it to the next of kin.
Document all relevant information respective to the death investigation.
Obtain relevant medical information, evidence and specimens.
Interview witnesses.
Cooperate with the law enforcement community, the funeral chapel/cemetery community, and the medical community.
Provide testimony in court or when deposed through a legal process.
Establish the identity of the deceased through 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.
Identify individuals who are responsible for the custody and final disposition of the deceased.
Assist in arranging autopsies and help arrange for services of forensic or medicolegal specialists.
Assist the forensic pathologist or pathologist with autopsies.
Arrange for the testing and safe transportation or storage of toxicology samples and specimens.
Clean morgue facility and equipment.
Provide indigent burial/cremation application forms to those who may qualify for indigent burial/cremation benefits.
Receive and retain completed indigent burial/cremation application forms, ensure that the benefit requests are valid, then report to the chief deputy coroner or his/her designee for approval or denial of the burial/cremation benefits.
Coordinate indigent burial/cremation with the contract funeral chapel.
Comply with all applicable California laws governing cemeteries, funeral directors and coroners.
Act 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.
Assist in maintaining the inventory of property belonging to the County.
Perform other related duties as assigned.