Job Description

Compensation Range:

$67,516.80 - $101,254.40

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• Investigations Supervisor
• Training Officer
• Laboratory/Morgue Coordination
• Functions as supervisor of death investigation on the assigned shift and during assigned on-call hours.
• Serves as Training and Education Officer for the agency. Manages the morgue with regard to admitting, discharging and maintaining jurisdiction of decedents as well as all morgue related specimens, evidence, and personal effects in a highly organized fashion.
• Oversees contracted cleaning staff to assure cleanliness and organization of the laboratories, maintains supply and equipment inventory.
• The incumbent must have knowledge of and the ability to safely operate all equipment used within the laboratory and morgue setting including radiology equipment. This position requires working directly with deceased individuals in all states of decomposition, dismemberment, and skeletal remains.
• The incumbent will function as a primary field investigator as needed to fill open shifts in collaboration with the First Deputy.
• Management of the transport function and supervision of the transport staff, including training, and performance reviews.
• This is an Essential Employee position.This position requires availability 24 hours a day. Essential employees are obligated to report to work as scheduled or remain at work during emergencies. Following is the Duty Statement for Essential Employees:
• “Carries out essential job functions or assigned emergency duties which may involve assignments within the Coroner’s Office, deployment to a field location to participate in emergency management activities, or other duties as required during periods of emergency. If received, emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions and continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks”.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• The incumbant reports to the Chief Deputy Corner/Administrator
• The position supervises the full-time and part-time transport staff and full-time Investigators. The position supervises field investigators during the work shift and assigned on-call shifts in collaboration with the Chief Deputy.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Supervisor/Morgue Management:

• Act in place of the Coroner as needed and directed and in accordance with state statutes
• During Supervisor on-call shifts, be available for questions and phone calls from coroner investigators (deputy coroners) and other staff
• Respond to scenes as Supervisor on-call based on current standard operating procedures
• Review resumes and interview potential transport and Investigator candidates.
• On-board and off-board hires with Human Resources.
• Supervise full time, part time transport staff and assigned investigators.
• Mentor and discipline assigned staff, as necessary
• Assist with the development and maintenance of Mass Fatality plan for the Coroner’s Office with regards to examinations, positive identification, reunification, and chain of custody of the evidence, personal effects, and human remains.
• Create Annual/Monthly/Holiday schedules for assigned staff
• Work coroner investigator shifts in the Investigator schedule, as needed
• Work transporter shifts in the Transporter schedule, as needed
• Maintain records of retention/disposal of short-term and long-term storage of specimens.
• Organize, catalog and store Histology specimens and slides in secure room.
• Organize, catalog and store FTA cards in secure room.
• Organize, catalog and store Fingerprints in digital formate
• Organize, catalog and store Indigent Cremains.
• Supervise direct reports and complete performance reviews annually.
• Assist the Chief Deputy Coroner in budgeting for autopsy and lab related material and services.
• Leads trainings and seminars presented by the Coroner’s Office. Function as Agency Training Officer.
• Develop, implement, and refine guidelines and standard operating procedures of the Coroner’s Office with regards to transport, autopsy and morgue operations as directed by the Chief.
• Maintain chain of custody and jurisdiction of all decedents in the morgue, funeral home release paperwork, decedent release paperwork and data entry into case management system.
• Assist the First Deputy in maintaining the Coroner’s Office National Accreditation.

Examinations:

• Maintain the autopsy suite ready for examinations
• Collect toxicology and other specimens at examination including but not limited to DNA,and fingerprints
• Perform/supervise radiology studies approved by the coroner or chief.
• Maintain the coolers and laboratories in orderly and clean condition.
• Coordinate the release of decedents to funeral homes on assigned shift.
• Enter all necessary data into the case management system after examination
• Submit all specimens for testing to appropriate laboratories
• Maintain databases, logs and spreadsheets related to the morgue/Lab.
• Properly dispose of specimens that have reached the current retention policy
• Coordinate with organ procurement team for specimen collection and release chain of custody in coordination with Chief.
• Release personal effects to next of kin, law enforcement and funeral homes, maintaining and documenting chain of custody.
• Release evidence to law enforcement, maintaining and documenting chain of custody.
• Perform other tasks as directed by the Coroner or Chief Deputy Coroner.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Ability to complete job tasks as listed in Job Description for Deputy Coroner/Lab Technician.
• Attend the PSCA Basic Coroner’s Education Course and maintain minimum continuing education annual requirements.
• Maintain and update department social media sites as needed.
• Submit and approve Cremation Permits as needed.
• Department representative to task forces, councils, and other agencies as deemed necessary by the chief, assist with collecting and presenting data.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Four (4) years experience as a death investigator
• Minimum 2 years supervisory experience including direct staff supervision
• Proven forensic photography skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills required.
• Knowledge of county policies and procedure and applicable state law.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be proficient in specimen collection for toxicology, DNA, and fingerprints
• Master’s Degree in related field preferred (Biology, Forensics, Nursing, etc)
• Valid PA driver’s license
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug test.
• High level skills with digital camera photography
• Be familiar with the use of computers, scanners, printers
• Be familiar with the use of Microsoft Office® and related programs
• Be familiar with the use of database programs; the department currently uses QuincyTech
• Be able to work with bodies and materials weighing up to 250 pounds
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills and empathy
• Ability to work in various weather conditions and hazardous environments.
• Ability to work in emotionally charged and sensitive circumstances
• The noise level in the work environment will vary by department from quiet to noisy.
• Exposure to secondary trauma related stressors.
• Ability to work extended hours, with little to no notice, as required.
• Ability to work holidays, as needed.
• Ability to work in various weather and hazardous environments to complete examinations.
• Ability to work in emotionally charged and sensitive circumstances.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• This position requires confidentiality

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Certification through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators, D-ABMDI required
• Fellowship required within 2 years.
• IAI -Certified Crime Scene Analyst required within 3 years.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Exposure to blood borne pathogens, biohazardous materials and noxious odors.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend at the waist, and talk or hear.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 250 pounds, with assistance for a distance of 150 feet.
• Occasionally, the employee will need to reach or work with arms above shoulder height, kneel, stoop, crouch or squat, crawl, climb stairs, climb or work on a ladder, twist or rotate at the waist while working; push, lift or carry items, work with office machinery; and drive a vehicle. Excellent coordination and visual acuity required for handling sharp instruments including scalpels and saws.
• On rare occasions, the employee will need to work with an uncommon level of noise. Vision adequate to drive and to read written or computer records.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.