Salary: $5,914.07 – $7,067.86 Monthly
Position Summary:
Under supervision to investigate and report on cases of death which fall within the jurisdiction of the Coroner’s Office.
Essential Functions:
- Conducts investigations to determine mode, manner, cause of death and identity of decedents; checks medical records and other sources to gather information necessary to ascertain cause of death; requests various specialists such as toxicologists, bacteriologists and other skilled persons to aid in arriving at cause of death within defined procedural limits; cooperates with all law enforcement agencies in obtaining evidence in cases of violent death.
- Orders and attends autopsies performed by professional staff and prepares investigative reports on cases handled; arrange for x-rays to be taken on homicide and sudden infant death cases.
- Answers calls where there is a death by violence or a death for which a licensed physician will not sign the death certificate; prepare and sign death certificates and amendments.
- Locates and notifies relatives; releases bodies to funeral homes; processes county cremations.
- Interviews witnesses; generates and serves subpoenas; receives and processes requests for investigative/autopsy reports; responds to inquiries from the public/agencies over the phone and in person; prepares news releases.
- Takes photographs and prepares fingerprints of decedents.
- Obtains possession of, and releases the personal property of decedents.
- Prepares reports of investigations and related activities; maintains and compiles statistical reports; prepares, updates, and closes out investigation case files.
Requirements:
- Physical Examination: A rigid medical examination by the County Physician is required.
- Minimum Age: 21 years of age by the final filing date.
- Character: Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Felony CONVICTIONS will be disqualifying. Misdemeanor CONVICTIONS may be disqualifying. Prior to appointment, candidates will be subject to a thorough background check.
- Working Conditions: Applicants must be willing to deal with death, dead bodies, at times decomposed remains; trauma involved with notification of next of kin; traveling rough terrain to reach death scene; adverse weather conditions; and, to accept call back and stand-by assignments, and work shifts on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week as needed.
- Knowledge of: criminal, civil and probate laws; California Government Code, Health Safety Code; rules of evidence; interviewing techniques; medicine and its subspecialties and techniques; prescribed drugs and name brands; recognition, collection, preservation and analysis of medicolegal and/or criminal evidence and data.
- Ability to: analyze situations and take effective action; work effectively under unpleasant conditions and deal effectively with attorneys, medical doctors, law enforcement officers, distraught persons and others; prepare clear, concise reports and correspondence; answer questions of law pertaining to death and dead bodies; converse with professional medical personnel on a technical level; recognize post mortem changes and their relationship to modes of death.
