The Real Time Overdose Surveillance Coordinator (RTOSC) is part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to investigating hundreds of overdose deaths each year, and providing real-time data to the state, the county, and other partners. The RTOSM recruits and maintains relationships with coroners and medical examiners in counties across the state, collects data from them, analyzes and compiles data and produces publications. They coordinate rapid testing and data collection through supervising and training interns. This position is funded through the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Formula Grant. This assignment is expected to last until September 31, 2023.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: 
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
  
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
  
 To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity 
 

• Collect data regarding fatal drug overdoses throughout Washington from coroners, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies
• Enter data using Red Cap, and make adjustments/enhancements to the database as needed.
• Analyze the data
• Prepare data visualizations and narratives 
• Prepare two separate regular publications for different audiences and send them
• Maintain and regularly revise email lists of those receiving these publications 
• Interview families and friends of decedents and provide follow up
• Coordinate the work of multiple student interns
• Teach student interns KCME protocols, including chain of custody 
• Teach student interns how to test blood, urine, and drug evidence
• Teach student interns how do enter data, analyze data, and produce publications.
• Teach student interns how to interview families/close contacts
• Create and maintain relationships with coroners and medical examiners across the state to interest them in the project, gain/continue/enhance their participation in the project
• Interacting with our partners in Public Health regarding response measures based on statewide trends
• Present program findings and processes to statewide, multi county, and national training conferences
• Write and report on parts of the grant which funds this project

• Demonstrated knowledge of disease surveillance and death investigation methods; health care systems structure and function; communication strategies; and adult learning and health care education.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise student interns: scheduling, training, supervision and providing guidance. 
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills that are culturally appropriate, respectful and non-judgmental.
• Demonstrated proficiency in data entry, data management and analysis, and ability to pivot between multiple databases.
• Detail oriented. 
• Understanding of basic laboratory, medical, and anatomy terminology.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out assignments and responsibilities reliably in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of protected health information at all times.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate orally and in writing with supervisor, co-workers, healthcare providers, and the general public.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word and Excel).
• Demonstrated ability to work well on a team. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction; excellent problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to work well under pressure with multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to present material to an audience

• Experience working in and knowledge of the overdose epidemic in King County and Washington State.
• Experience working in the VertiQ and REDCap databases
• Experience with multiple programs such as SQL Server, Access, PowerBI, Python, and/or Tableau

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

(New) Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement 
As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th.   People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.  Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs.  Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.  

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply
This position is open to all qualified candidates. We are currently recruiting for:
 1 full time Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temporary Position

Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last for one (1) year. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.  
 
The TLT vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity:

For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employees in King County who have completed their initial County probation and are applying to a higher job classification. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.



Work Schedule
This position works Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 4pm. Schedule variation may be required to address business needs. This position is not eligible for remote work.
 
 
Work Location: 

The home base for this position is the Medical Examiners Office located at Harborview Medical Center 908 Jefferson Street, Seattle WA 98104, and respond to scenes throughout the county.
 

• An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
• Responses to supplemental questions.
• Copy of publication which include narrative descriptions and visualizations of data

• The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.

• The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation.
• KCMEO staff are considered Mission Critical employees, and our office continues to operate at full capacity in inclement weather, public health emergencies, etc.
  These positions are not eligible for remote work.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
• KCMEO staff are considered Mission Critical employees, and our office continues to operate at full capacity in inclement weather, public health emergencies, etc.
  These positions are not eligible for remote work.