Forensic Investigative Supervisor

Cobb County Government•Medical Examiner Marietta, GA

About The Position

The Forensic Investigative Supervisor manages Forensic Investigators at the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office and supplements investigations as needed. The role oversees work assignments, resources, progress, and quality; supports staff with complex situations; reports to the Operations Manager; and helps maintain procedure manuals. It develops and implements work methods, policies, and standard operating procedures, monitors compliance, updates guidelines as needed, and conducts staff training. The supervisor manages Investigative Division personnel functions, including evaluations, personnel actions, complaints, payroll, insurance, and workers’ compensation records. The role also assists with the divisional budget by identifying and prioritizing needs and making recommendations to the Operations Manager. It coordinates with professional, judicial, investigative, insurance, health, public, and private agencies, responds to citizen inquiries and complaints, provides educational instruction, and represents the Medical Examiner’s Office on panels and committees. The position also performs forensic investigative work, including reviewing death notifications, determining jurisdiction, investigating assigned deaths, coordinating with law enforcement, and managing a caseload. It secures and examines death scenes; documents, photographs, collects, evaluates, preserves, and transports evidence while maintaining chain of custody; interviews witnesses and others; prepares reports and investigative summaries; and obtains records as needed. It locates and notifies next of kin and may assist with funeral services, County burial, death certificates, and related arrangements. Customer service is provided in person and by telephone. On-call work, weekends, and holidays are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science, Law Enforcement, or a related field.
Three years of experience in death investigations and two years of supervisory or managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must possess and maintain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators ABMDI-D (Diplomate) Certification.
Must be available for on-call work, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, including stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and potentially lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects and materials weighing up to 250 pounds.
Ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades, sounds, odors, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals; some tasks require oral communication.
May be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, including dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, hazardous materials, toxic agents, water hazards, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude or irate customers.

Responsibilities

Organize, prioritize, and assign work; schedule activities, ensure staff have necessary resources, monitor progress, inspect completed work, provide technical assistance, report progress to the Operations Manager, and assist with procedure manual revisions.
Help develop and implement work methods, practices, policies, and standard operating procedures; monitor and enforce rules and regulations; update guidelines as needed; conduct staff training; and maintain documentation.
Manage Investigative Division human resource functions, including personnel documentation, employee evaluations, complaint investigations, payroll, insurance, workers’ compensation, and related records.
Assist in developing and administering the divisional budget by prioritizing annual needs and making recommendations to the Operations Manager.
Coordinate and exchange information with professional, judicial, investigative, insurance, health, public, and private agencies in support of investigations.
Respond to citizen inquiries and complaints.
Provide lectures and educational instruction to law enforcement, medical personnel, school groups, and civic organizations; represent the Medical Examiner’s Office on panels and committees.
Review death notifications, gather incident information, determine jurisdiction, and maintain related documentation.
Investigate assigned deaths, coordinate activities with law enforcement agencies, and manage an assigned caseload.
Secure death scenes; examine bodies and scenes; photograph and collect, evaluate, preserve, handle, pack, and transport evidence; maintain chain of custody; and coordinate transportation of bodies.
Interview witnesses, law enforcement, medical personnel, and family members; gather personal, medical, and social histories; take statements and verify their accuracy.
Prepare detailed case reports and records, generate investigative summaries, and subpoena police reports and medical records as needed.
Locate and notify next of kin using available records and resources; assist with funeral services, County burial, death certificates, and related details as needed.
Provide in-person and telephone customer service, answer questions, research problems, initiate resolutions, and refer issues to appropriate personnel.
Perform other related duties as assigned.