Job Listing for Chief Medical Investigator (Manager IV) at Medical Examiner Office for Johnson County (KS)

Johnson County Health & Environment department is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of the Chief Medical Investigator for the Medical Examiner Office for Johnson County.  We are in the process of building a new facility and operation that will allow us to conduct autopsies internally rather than outsourcing this service.  Therefore, this position is located at 11875 South Sunset, Suite 300, Olathe, KS 66061.  This position provides excellent benefits, including health insurance, wellness programs and discounts, retirement programs, and various other discount programs.  First review of applications will begin on February 15, 2019.

Primary functions of the job are to investigate the medically relevant circumstances surrounding deaths reported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Johnson County, KS and prepare written reports documenting the investigative findings. This position will report to the Chief Medical Examiner.

Other Essential Duties Include:

• Respond to death scenes of various types, including traffic deaths, suicides, homicides, industrial deaths and infant deaths; conduct on-scene investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the death: take photos, interviews families, law enforcement and witnesses; fingerprint bodies, conducts preliminary body examination at the scene and processes evidence; perform external examinations on decedents, including documentation of injuries, scars, marks, tattoos, and post mortem artifacts and collection of body fluid for toxicology testing; gather additional data as requested by the Chief Medical Examiner or Deputy Medical Examiner; release remains and property to funeral homes; write complete, accurate and comprehensive report of the investigation to support the Medical Examiner's examination; meet with families of deceased to explain death and to assist with initial grieving process; assist with answering death reports during peak times; identify deceased individual and provide notification to next of kin; monitor the investigative work of other investigators and assure 24/7 coverage of death investigators to respond to death scenes.
• Recruit, hires, trains and coaches other death investigators, including on-call investigators to respond to after-hours death scenes; maintain schedule for on-call staff to assure 24/7 coverage; follow all Johnson County Human Resource Policies; maintain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) training, registry, and/or certification of investigators and participate in advanced training of staff and outside agencies.
• Develop investigative protocol and procedures for investigators; assist the Chief Medical Examiner with development of the budget; control and maintains evidence and departmental supplies; assists in developing mass fatality plans; coordinate vehicle repairs and maintenance with Johnson County Fleet Manager; track and analyzes death statistics as needed for reporting purposes and practice safety, environmental, and/or infection control methods.
• Assist the Chief Medical Examiner in building an efficient Medical Examiner team and building a culture of high performance; embrace Johnson County's Pillars of Performance and demonstrates the County's values; participate in DHE Leadership Team; build a positive working relationship with local law enforcement and Johnson County Crime Lab and attend Meetings and planning sessions in the community representing the Medical Examiner's Office.

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Biological Science, Nursing or other related field.

Five (5) years of experience of forensic medical investigative practices and techniques; proper handling and processing of evidentiary material; medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and working with human remains.

One (1) year leading, directing, supervising, or coordinating the work of others required.

Registered or Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator; preferred at hire or must be obtained within 12 months of employment.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to maintain emotional stability and prior experience in digital photography, dealing with distraught, upset and violent family members, friends, or witnesses.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment thorough background check.  Candidate is required to possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.  Johnson County is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:
All County employees may be called upon to assist other departments/agencies in a declared emergency situation.