Public Health Seattle and King County is looking for people who are interested in becoming Forensic Medicolegal Death Investigators with the Medical Examiner's Office. If you have not heard of this type of position before, but are intrigued – please keep reading! This position will work in the Investigations section, a dynamic and growing group of 16 dedicated individuals who work 24/7/365. The positions will perform field and office activities related to the investigation of sudden, unexpected, and suspicious deaths.

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 

• Respond to and investigate death scenes; photograph, collect, and document evidence;
• Lift and transport human remains, weighing an average of 175 lbs, in various stages of mutilation and decomposition;
• Adhere to county mandated protocols regarding control and documentation of personal property;
• Document chain of evidence, and adhere to KCMEO process and protocols pertaining to collection and security of evidence;
• Effectively interview family members, witnesses, and notify next of kin of a death;
• Effectively gather and interpret medical records;
• Conduct investigations-typically by phone-to locate next of kin and arrange disposition of remains;
• Complete detailed investigative reports;
• Use KCMEO-specific software;
• Work closely with law enforcement, medical providers, and legal agencies;
• Release human remains and property to funeral homes. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS A DEATH INVESTIGATOR:
Being an investigator calls on a broad range of personal attributes from the physical, to the intellectual, to the emotional—and an investigator needs to be good at all of them.

• The ability to talk to and get information from a wide range of people about uncomfortable topics, in stressful situations.
• The ability to think on your feet – assess a situation and determine what needs to be done and how.
• While staff are not expected to have in depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and legal and medical terminology before being hired, it is essential that staff have some grounding in the subjects, learn quickly, and constantly update their knowledge. 
• The ability to lift and maneuver a human body out of often tight spaces, and remove them with appropriate strength, leverage, respect and dignity.
• While the “in-the-field” aspect of this job is important, investigators spend the majority of their time in the office calling families and notifying them of death, researching to find next of kin, etc.

• A basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiological functions
• Ability to gain legal and medical terminology, and health and safety requirements relating to decomposed bodies during the first months of employment
• Ability to investigate and photograph death scenes, gather evidence; transport human remains, and secure, document, and control personal property and evidence
• Ability to lift, maneuver, and handle human remains averaging 175lbs, in various stages of mutilation and decomposition
• Ability to interview witnesses and family members, often in the midst of trauma, accurately document chain of evidence, gather information, and maintain detailed and accurate records
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and work with clients of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in a respectful and compassionate manner
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, co-workers, law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys and members of the public of different cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work reliably as a member of a multi-faceted professional team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times 

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.

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.

• NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line or paper application
• Supplemental Questions with complete, thorough answers. Answers that say "see resume" will be considered incomplete.

• The selected candidate will be required to pass a background investigation.
• The selected candidate will be required to pass a Pre-Employment Physical
• 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 their mandatory trainings on time.