General Statement
The SPRAC Chief Investigator, under limited supervision, provides leadership and regional oversight of medico-legal death investigation operations across a multi-county area. Ensures consistent investigative practices, supports Local Medical Examiners and investigative staff, and coordinates case management, on-call response, and complex investigations. Serves as a key liaison between agencies, families, and the public, ensuring accurate, professional, and compassionate communication. Oversees records management, policy development, training initiatives, and continuous quality improvement efforts while supporting operational readiness, technical systems, and long-term program development.
Essential Functions
Provides regional oversight and operational support for medico-legal death investigation services across a multi-county area. Monitors the activities of approximately 50 Local Medical Examiners, offering professional guidance and promoting consistency in investigative practices. Addresses operational issues as they arise and supports Local Medical Examiners with questions related to case handling and procedures. Assists with long-range planning to support service delivery and regional growth. Directly supervises investigative staff and participates in recruitment, candidate evaluation, and interview processes. May assume expanded responsibilities in accordance with legislative changes, including supporting the selection, training, oversight, and performance management of Local Medical Examiners.
Performs investigative and case management functions, including serving on an on-call rotation to receive and manage death notifications across multiple counties when Local Medical Examiners are unavailable. Gathers preliminary case information, provides guidance on next steps, and coordinates appropriate response actions and notifications. May respond to death scenes in complex or high-priority cases and conducts case triage, including determining acceptance or declination for autopsy in accordance with established criteria.
Facilitates communication with decedents’ families and the public by providing clear, accurate, and compassionate explanations of autopsy findings, medical conclusions, and toxicology results. Ensures all communications adhere to legal, ethical, and professional standards, and responds to public inquiries following established protocols.
Oversees records and systems management by monitoring data entry in state-mandated and internal case management systems. Ensures accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of case documentation, reporting, and data validation.
Supports policy development and continuous quality improvement initiatives by analyzing workflows and operational processes to identify gaps and implement enhancements. Assists in updating investigative policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current practices, legal requirements, and organizational needs.
Participates in training and preparedness efforts, including mass fatality planning and response. Assists in the development and delivery of training programs for new employees and Local Medical Examiners to ensure competency and consistency in operations.
Provides technical and operational support by serving as a liaison for communications systems, including radio, telecommunications, and information technology. Coordinates resources and logistics to maintain uninterrupted service delivery and operational effectiveness.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Biology, Microbiology, Public Health, Police Science, or closely related field, and eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in medico-legal death investigation, forensic operations, or a closely related field with one (1) or more years of supervisory experience overseeing investigative or forensic staff; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses Or Certifications
Must have a valid Driver’s License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.
Possession of an American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators certification (ABMDI) or the ability to obtain within (2) years of hire.
Special Requirements
Must be available approximately fifteen (15) days monthly for assignments after normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays.
Preferred Qualifications
Licenses or Certifications:
Appointed as a Medical Examiner.
Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be physically able to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions including computers, digital cameras for scene documentation, stretchers, body bags, evidence collection kits, radios, phone, etc. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert 50 pounds or less of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an environment where errors on their part can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for them or others. The employee will be exposed to risks involved at death scenes, including blood borne pathogens.
INSURANCE PROGRAMS
HEALTH INSURANCE
All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period. Preventative Care Coverage Prescription Coverage
Health & Wellness Center available exclusively to Union County employees, spouses and dependents covered under the health plan.
DENTAL INSURANCE
All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period.
LIFE INSURANCE
Basic Term life Insurance in the amount of one times the annual salary is provided for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Additional coverage for Life Insurance (Accident, Cancer, Long Term and Short Term) is available for purchase through payroll deduction for the employee and eligible dependents.
FINANCIAL PROGRAMS
RETIREMENT
Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have five (5) years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.
NC401(k)
The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a five percent (5%) contribution based on biweekly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.
457 Deferred Compensation
The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to all employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Options are available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Debit Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.
Health Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.
Dependent Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.
TRUIST
No Overdraft Fees
$100 Negative Balance Buffer
Online and Mobile Banking with Bill Pay
LEAVE PROGRAMS
VACATION LEAVE
Vacation leave is accrued based on creditable years of service in the Local Government Employees Retirement System.
SICK LEAVE
For full-time County employees, sick leave accrues at eight (8.0) hours per month. Benefitted part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time rate. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.
Sick Leave Transfer From Other Agencies
Unused sick leave earned from another North Carolina Governmental Agency and/or entity, will be accepted and transferred to the County as follows: twelve (12) sick leave days will be transferred and added to the employees active sick leave balance after completion of six (6) months of employment. The remaining balance of sick leave documented for transfer at the time of employment will be recorded in the employees permanent personnel file. On the fifth anniversary of employment with the County, the remaining balance of transferred sick leave will be added to the employees active sick leave balance.
HOLIDAYS
There are 13 County recognized holidays (includes 3 days for Christmas) per year with 1 floating holiday available.
MILITARY LEAVE
Annual Training - 10 paid workdays granted.
Active Duty - 20 paid workdays granted.
CIVIL LEAVE
Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.
FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE
Parental Leave provides the employee paid leave for the first eight weeks of approved FML for the birth of a son or daughter, or placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE
Educational Leave is available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees when participating in a job-related, short course, such as an update, not to exceed ten (10) consecutive working days.
VOLUNTEER TIME OFF
Volunteer Time Off will provide employees with 16 hours of paid time per calendar year to volunteer at approved Union County community partner agencies.
Other Programs
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.
AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER
We believe that staying healthy is more than just exercising regularly and eating well. Individual and family discount membership and monthly dues are available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees through payroll deduction.
NATIONAL COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM
The National College Savings Program is open to all employees. The Program is designed to provide certain tax advantages, encourage and facilitate saving to pay the costs of attending eligible institutions.
01
Do you have eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in medico-legal death investigation, forensic operations, or a closely related field?
02
Are you available to work after normal work hours, including nights, weekends and holidays?
03
Do you have one (1) or more years of supervisory experience overseeing investigative or forensic staff?
04
Are you currently ABMDI certified?
05
Are you currently an appointed Medical Examiner in North Carolina?
