This position oversees the administrative functions of the Coroner’s Office to ensure efficient operations. The Chief Deputy Coroner has the authority to supervise staff, assist with fiscal and clerical functions, and assume duties of the Skagit County Coroner in his or her absence. Duties include screening reported deaths, body, scene investigation, identifying locating and notifying next-of-kin, interviewing witnesses, assisting at autopsies, preparing and certifying the death certificate with approval of the Coroner, and performing other duties as assigned including clerical functions to support the effective operation of the office. The incumbent will investigate all deaths within the County to determine the cause and manner of death.

COMPLEXITY/RESPONSIBILITY:

Work is characterized by assisting the Coroner in administration and management of the office as a whole. The Chief Deputy Coroner 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 reliable, organized, self-motivated, adaptable, detail oriented, highly efficient, and able to work under heightened emotional situations and unpleasant conditions while maintaining a professional and positive attitude.

- Salary upon hire is $39.89 to $42.73 per hour (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.

- Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 10 (top step is $53.05/hr.). The Chief Deputy Coroner is Range 29 of the Non-rep salary schedule.

• Works in coordination with the Coroner in the administration and management of the office.
• Performs designated essential functions of the Coroner in their absence.
• Assigns cases, advises investigators on procedures to be followed, and answers their questions regarding problems that develop during investigations.
• Reviews, approves, and gives feedback on casework, reports, and photography and oversees the case finalization process.
• Directs, assigns, supervises, and monitors the work performance of the staff in the absence of the Coroner.
• Responds to inquiries from law enforcement agencies, media, legal personnel, and the general public, as appropriate in the Coroner’s absence.
• Required to carry and respond to a county-issued cellphone at all times in order to assist in management of the office and provide guidance of staff, coordinate the investigation of death, or when necessary, respond to deaths scenes in Skagit County.
• Performs investigations to determine cause and manner of death.
• Establishes and/or confirms the identity of decedents.
• Locates and notifies next of kin.
• Confers with organ procurement organizations, police, doctors, hospital staff, families of the deceased, insurance investigators, lawyers, and the media.
• Assists forensic pathologist with autopsy.
• Prepares and submits toxicological and histological specimens for further analysis.
• Coordinates medical and other specialist’s services or consultation required to assist in the investigation and autopsy.
• Helps set policy for investigative practices, determines course and level of investigation and type of post-mortem examination in accordance with NAME standards.
• Manages accounts for clinical labs, DNA labs, forensic labs, histology labs, radiation monitoring, toxicology labs, waste management.
• Updates Coroner on the status of cases and related investigations and consults with Coroner on cases.
• Prepares, signs, and certifies Death Certificates as directed.
• Provides direction and training to the investigative staff in obtaining ABMDI certification.
• Responsible for the recruitment, selection, hiring, and onboarding of personnel.
• Responsible for staff evaluation processes and disciplinary actions.
• Composes, prepares, transcribes, processes and/or reviews a variety of written documents and correspondence at the direction of the Coroner. Documents include grants, legal documents, contracts, sensitive written correspondence, and MOU’s.
• Assists the Coroner in seeking office accreditation and maintaining accreditation standards and quality assurance.
• Provides input for analysis of expenditures and future needs.
• Required to attend internal and external meetings and or other functions outside of normal business hours either by direct involvement or at the request of the Coroner.
• May be required to perform the essential duties of a medicolegal death investigator during peak periods or mass fatality incidents.
• Represents the county and the department at local, state, federal agencies, and other organizations regarding matters of interest to Skagit County.
• Provide death investigation or staff supervision services on a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week rotating on-call basis.
• May be re-assigned in emergency situations.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May be tasked with performing related duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Problem solves situations which may develop, based on experience and policies of the Coroner’s Office. This includes but is not limited to complex case and next of kin situations, personnel matters, autopsy scheduling, agency concerns, and office equipment and facility issues.

SUPERVISORY:

This position has direct supervisory responsibility over the staff of the Coroner’s Office.

• A Bachelor's degree with a concentration in a human science field from a nationally accredited College or University AND at least 5 years of combined related experience (such as, death/scene investigation, autopsy/surgical assisting, law enforcement, nursing, emergency medical services, organ/tissue procurement), and minimum of 2 years of Supervisor/Managerial experience.
  1. Human science field such as Biology, Criminalistics, Forensic Science, Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, Forensic Anthropology, Anatomy and Physiology.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Applicable laws and standard practices related to the duties of the Coroner’s Office.
• Investigational principles and practices commonly employed in the determination of the cause and manner of death.
• Procedures involved in detecting, analyzing, and interpreting signs and symptoms of trauma and other physical conditions.
• Interpersonal and customer service skills to effectively deal with grieving families, and others requiring services.
• Develop and maintain good working relations with dept. staff, other county employees, other agencies, the public, and the media.
• Skilled in modern supervision practices and techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, in a professional business-like manner.
• Skilled at preparing thorough, organized, and clearly presented technical reports. Convey medical and technical information in a manner that is understandable to the audience.
• Work well independently as well as in a cooperative environment.
• Multi-task work environment with deadlines.
• Possess research skills, ability to analyze data, and arrive at conclusions. Able to make recommendations and propose plans of action, even with controversial issues.
• Able to exercise judgment and discretion of sensitive or confidential matters.
• Thorough knowledge of standard laboratory procedures, methods, and equipment applicable to field.
• Thorough knowledge of occupational safety requirements and procedures, especially regarding hazardous materials and blood borne pathogens.
• Considerable knowledge of administrative, managerial, and supervisory principles and practices including budgeting, planning, program evaluation, and employee supervision.

REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO:

• Perform job functions of all the other Deputy Coroners.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to deal compassionately with survivors of the decedent.
• Establish and maintain effective working and public relationships.
• Secure facts through objective, independent, and thorough investigations and inspections, analyze and interpret evidence and data; and make appropriate determinations.
• Plan, organize, and effectively present ideas, concepts, recommendations, and reports.
• Direct, plan, coordinate, and evaluate the work of the staff.
• Deal with issues of death and dying on a daily basis, often in unpleasant circumstances.
• Perform work in the field in varying types of terrain and weather conditions.
• Possess interpersonal and customer service skills to effectively deal with grieving families, and others requiring services.
• Develop and maintain good working relations with office staff, other county employees, other agencies, the public and the media.
• Attend autopsy(s), conduct investigations, and assist in determining the cause, manner, and mechanism of death. Maintain accurate and organized records.
• Convey medical and technical information in a manner that is understandable to the audience.
• Able to exercise judgment and discretion of sensitive or confidential matters.
• Able to lift, carry, drag, or push an average body weight of 150-200 pounds, alone or with assistance.
• Possess the ability to make sound decisions and request assistance, clearance and/or guidance for unusual or difficult matters.

LICENSES and/or CERTIFICATIONS:

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

May require work hours in excess of 7.5 hours per day or 5 days per week. On-call status 24 hours per day and/or 7 days per week. Must be able to workdays, nights, graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays, and maintain on-call availably. May require travel for training, commute to other agencies, investigation sites, which may include remote areas. Observe, abide, and set example, of all county and department policies, goals, and objectives. Able to work well and complete duties under stress, and deadlines, while attending to multiple duties simultaneously. Tolerate prolonged computer related exposure. Ability to sit/stand at a workstation for long periods.

HAZARDS:

May be exposed to the elements or weather conditions during a scene investigation, and other physical hazards or obstacles to reach the death scenes. May have exposure at death scenes to decomposed bodies, contagious diseases, vermin, and other difficult exposures common to death scenes. May have exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination with regard to race, color religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status and/or physical or mental disability in its employment practices.