Description
Boulder County Coroner's Department is seeking to hire a
Forensic Investigator/Deputy Coroner. The Forensic Investigator is the journey level classification in the Coroner Specialist series. The Forensic Investigator is responsible for death investigations, case management and day-to-day administrative duties of the Coroner’s Office. This position performs a variety of administrative, forensic, and analytical duties in the field of death investigation.
Work is characterized by conducting investigations of death under the coroner’s jurisdiction, case management and the day-to-day administrative duties of the Coroner’s Office. The Forensic Investigator must pay strict attention to detail, be able to multi-task, and take initiative. Work involves a variety of sensitive and highly confidential material. The ideal candidate is organized, self-motivated, adaptable, detail oriented, and able to work under heightened emotional situations and unpleasant conditions while maintaining a positive and professional attitude.
This is a
full-time, benefited position. The investigator's schedule includes
three to four schedules shifts per week. Additionally, the investigator will participate in the on-call schedule which includes an average of one on-call shift per week.
Investigations operations are scheduled 24/7/365. This position will work out of 5610 Flatiron Parkway in
Boulder, CO. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is
non- exempt.
Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.
Hiring Salary Range: $72,360.00 - $82,719.00 Annually
Tentative Hiring Timeline
- Phone Screening: June 27th
- First Round Interviews: July 2nd
- Second Round Interviews: July 8th
- Language Proficiency Test: July 9th
- Reference Check: July 10th
New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month (Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify). Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.
Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.
Examples of Duties
The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The Boulder County Coroner reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.
Working Under The Direct Supervision Of The Investigations Supervisor
- Responds to death scenes. Takes custody of the deceased and transports the deceased to the Coroner’s Office.
- Conducts thorough scene and death investigations into the manner and cause of death, including interviewing those involved.
- Composes, prepares, transcribes, and/or reviews a variety of documents, independently or at the direction of the Coroner. Documents include, but are not limited to, scene reports, medical/psychological records, legal documents, police/EMS records, toxicology records, autopsy reports, etc.
- Identifies, locates and notifies the decedent’s next-of-kin.
- Maintains and inventories investigative equipment/supplies.
- Releases deceased individuals for final disposition.
- Collects, secures, transports, and documents evidence, medications, and property.
- Coordinates with law enforcement agencies in the maintenance of chain-of-custody, and processing of the death scene.
- Prepares outgoing deliveries and accepts incoming deliveries, including supplies, toxicology, histology, property, evidence, and specimens.
- Conducts or assists with the intake, maintenance, and disposition of biohazardous materials/waste, property, evidence, toxicology, histology, medication, bodies, and/or specimens.
- Photographs death scenes and the deceased.
- Performs external examinations of the deceased.
- Performs radiographs.
- Acts as a liaison to the bereaved: answers questions, advises, makes referrals, provides support, etc.
- Obtains fingerprints, toxicology, specimen samples, and DNA samples.
- Answers telephones, greets the public, and performs clerical tasks as needed.
- Maintains and cleans office, garage areas and vehicles.
- Assists with autopsies, setup, and cleanup as needed.
- Operates county response vehicles and equipment.
- Transports bodies, materials, and specimens to outside agencies.
- Represents office at meetings or on committees with other offices, departments, or agencies.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- May be re-assigned in emergency situations.
Required Qualifications
PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications andwill not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.
Education & Experience
Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of
A bachelor’s degree with a concentration in a human science field* from a nationally accredited College or University.
~OR~
An associate degree with a concentration in a human science field* from a nationally accredited College or University AND at least 2 years of death investigation experience or combined related experience (such as, death/scene investigation, autopsy/surgical assisting, law enforcement, nursing, emergency medical services, organ/tissue procurement).
~OR~
A high school diploma or GED equivalent AND at least 4 years of death investigation experience or combined related experience (such as, death/scene investigation, autopsy/surgical assisting, law enforcement, nursing, emergency medical services, organ/tissue procurement).
- Human science field such as Biology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Forensic Anthropology, Anatomy and Physiology or related field.
Driver's License & Reliable Vehicle
- Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
- Access to reliable transportation that is readily available for business use
- For more information regarding a clean driving record, please click here.
- Applicants invited to an interview will be required to bring a non-certified Colorado full driver record (Colorado DMV allows individuals to access their driving history record Motor Vehicle Record | Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle The cost is $9.00 to the individual.)
Background Check & Fingerprinting
- A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation with fingerprinting
Special Requirements
The Investigator spends significant time in a field environment, with associated conditions, hazards and/or biohazards. The Investigator spends time in a morgue/laboratory/autopsy environment, with associated conditions, hazards and/or biohazards. Formalin fixative is commonly used in the laboratory, precluding individuals who have a known allergy to this chemical.
Applicants must pass a pre-employment physical and drug test
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must pass a pre-employment polygraph examination.
Must be able to workdays, nights, graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays and maintain on-call availability as assigned by the Investigations Supervisor
Must have the ability to workdays, nights, graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays, and maintain on-call availability with a commute fewer than 45 minutes to the Coroner's Office, and
reliable cell phone coverage from that location
Supplemental Information
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Additional compensation will be provided based on the use of bilingual skills.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working with or for a coroner or medical examiner's office, or other related experience such as a mortuary, law enforcement, health care, etc.
- Experience working with bereaved families in the loss of a loved one.
- ABMDI certified death investigator or able to obtain certification within one year.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Knowledge of medicolegal practices and Colorado Revised Statues pertaining to the Coroner.
- Knowledge of forensic investigation and interviewing techniques and practices, chain of custody, death certificate processes, and probable causes of death under a wide variety of circumstances.
- Skill in providing comfort and assistance to those grieving a loss.
- Skill in professionally and effectively engaging in difficult conversations and conflict resolution, effective communication in stressful situations.
- Skill in basic document preparation, formal report writing, and business letter writing.
- Ability to maintain professional composure and communicate and work effectively with County staff, bereaved families, law enforcement officials, pathologists, physicians, lawyers, emergency room personnel, and the general public.
- Ability to function successfully in high stress situations and implement effective courses of action and draw appropriate conclusions.
- Ability to use modern office equipment including computer equipment, and operate computer programs such as Microsoft Office 365, to include Microsoft Word, Access Database, Excel, Power Point, and other software applications.
Physical Requirements
Physical work varies from sedentary to requiring ability to lift over 100 pounds; occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing; frequent hand/eye coordination to operate computer keyboard and office equipment; vision for reading, recording and interpreting information; speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and members of the public.
The following are some of the physical activities commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.
- Frequently sits.
- Frequently stoops, kneels, balances, climbs, and crouches to perform job tasks.
- Frequently required to lift, push, or pull burdens of over 100 pounds, including bodies.
- Frequently stands and walks to complete duties requiring mobility.
- Constantly involved in auditory and oral interactions; interpersonally and through communication devices such as telephones.
- Constantly utilizes full scope of visual capacity to perform job tasks.
- Constantly utilizes eye, hand, and finger coordination to perform job tasks.
Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Benefits
As well as offering competitive pay and a caring work environment, Boulder County offers employees an array of benefits. For all FTE and Term employees, we provide:
- Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage. Information can be found HERE.
- Additional Benefits can be found HERE.
- Including:
- Family-forming benefits- infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements
- 12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave
- Breast feeding friendly-work environment
- Sick child care, an infants-at-work policy
- Access to LifeMart discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more!
- Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program
- Employee Assistance Program
- PERA 401k
- Social Security retirement plans
- Additional Life and Disability Insurance
- Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance
- County-paid tuition assistance
- Eligible for PSLF- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Free EcoPass
- Hospital Indemnity
- ID Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- 8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave
- Generous paid time off
- Holidays
- New Year's Day January 1
- Martin Luther King's Birthday January
- Presidents' Day February
- Memorial Day May
- Juneteenth June 19
- Independence Day July 4
- Labor Day September
- Indigenous People's Day
- General Election Day November (first Tuesday after the first Monday, even years)
- Veterans' Day November 11
- Thanksgiving Day November
- Friday after Thanksgiving*
- Christmas Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
- Christmas Day December 25
- New Year’s Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
- Vacation**
- 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire
- Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service, then accrue twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
- Medical**
- Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
- PERA- The County and all employees pay into both Social Security and PERA
- Employer contribution to Social Security: 7.65% of salary
- Employer contribution to PERA (Local Government Division- most county employees: 14.76%
- The District Attorney’s Office observe Francis Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October and omit the Friday after Thanksgiving
- Vacation and Medical leave are based off of full time FTE accruals. Part-time FTE/term employees accrue leave based on the percentage of time they work.
01
A requirement of this position is that you meet one of the following: 1. A Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in a human science field* (such as, death/scene investigation, autopsy/surgical assisting, law enforcement, nursing, emergency medical services, organ/tissue procurement); 2. An Associate’s Degree with a concentration in a human science field* AND at least 2 years of death investigation experience or combined related experience; 3. A high school diploma or GED AND at least 4 years of death investigation experience or combined related experience. *A Human science field such as Biology, Criminalistics, Forensic Science, Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Forensic Anthropology, Anatomy and Physiology or related field. Please indicate which one you meet.
- Bachelor's degree with a concentration in a human science field
- Associate degree with a concentration in a human science field AND at least 2 years of death investigation experience or combined related experience
- High school diploma or GED AND at least 4 years of death investigation experience or combined related experience
- None of the above
02
If you have related experience such as death investigation experience or death/scene investigation, autopsy/surgical assisting, law enforcement, nursing, emergency medical services, organ/tissue procurement – please explain in detail where you obtained your experience and the length of time you worked there. If you do not possess related experience, please list N/A below.
03
If you have conducted scene and death investigations including interviewing those involved – please explain in detail where you obtained your experience. If you do not possess related experience, please list N/A below.
04
If you have worked in an environment where you had to conduct or assist with the intake, maintenance and disposition of bio-hazardous materials/waste, property, evidence, toxicology, histology, medication, bodies, and other specimens – please explain in detail where you obtained your experience and the length of time you worked there. If you do not possess related experience, please list N/A below.
05
If you have worked in an environment where you had to interact with the bereaved, including fulfilling requests, providing referrals, releasing personal effects, etc. – please explain in detail where you obtained your experience and the length of time you worked there. If you do not possess related experience, please list N/A below.
06
If you have corresponded with funeral home establishments on death certificates, burial permits and/or autopsy reports – please explain in detail where you obtained your experience and the length of time you worked there. If you do not possess related experience, please list N/A below.
07
Are you ABMDI Certified?
- Yes
- Yes, but certification is currently expired
- No
08
A requirement of this position is that you must be able to workdays, nights, graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays and maintain on-call availability as assigned by the Investigations Supervisor. Are you able to meet this requirement?
09
A requirement of this position is that you possess a valid driver’s license. Do you meet this requirement?
10
A requirement of this position is that you have a less than 45-minute commute to the office, and that you have reliable cell phone coverage from that location. Do you meet this requirement?
11
If you answered no to the question above, how much time will you need for relocating?
12
Other than marijuana or hashish, have you ever used any form of illegal drugs or narcotics (drugs not prescribed to you by a physician)? If you answered “YES”, please indicate what illegal drugs were used, how many times, and the last time used.
13
Other than illegal drugs or narcotics, have you used prescription medications outside the scope of their intended use (opioids, Adderall, Xanax, etc.)? If you answered “YES” please indicate the medication used, how many times, and the last time used.
14
Have you ever been accused of or committed an act of embezzlement, theft of property or discharged for a violation of workplace policies or rules? If you answered “YES”, please indicate the details of the event.
15
A requirement of this position is that you can pass a background check. If you have ever been arrested, accused of breaking a law, or a suspect in a criminal investigation, or fingerprinted as part of a criminal investigation, either as an adult or juvenile, please give the following information: (Exclude traffic citations). Failure to report this information shall disqualify you from further consideration. Date: Police Agency: Charges: Disposition:
16
What kinds of experiences have you had working with others with different backgrounds than your own?
17
What efforts have you made, or been involved with, to foster diversity concordance and cultural understanding?