Job Listing for Coroner Supervisor at Forensic Center-2080 Spring Valley Road, Lancaster, PA

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

*Investigations Supervisor/Training Officer/Morgue Oversight

• 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 and indigent cremains repository.

• 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 vehicles, supervision of the transport staff and autopsy technicians, 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 incumbent reports to the Chief Deputy Corner/Administrator The position supervises the full-time and part-time transport staff and full-time and part-time autopsy assistants’. 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

• Supervise full-time, part-time transport and autopsy technicians.

• 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.

• Work coroner investigator and transporter shifts as needed

• Organize, catalog and store Histology cassettes/slides, FTA cards, digital fingerprints and Indigent Cremains in secure room.

• Review budget periodically to ensure office remains within yearly budget while submitting supply/equipment orders.

• Leads trainings and seminars presented by the Coroner’s Office.

• 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.

• Assist the First Deputy in maintaining the Coroner’s Office National Accreditation.

Examinations:

• Maintain the autopsy suite ready for examinations

• Assist and aide pathologists during examinations with paperwork, evisceration, and photography as needed.

• Collect toxicology and other specimens at examination including but not limited to DNA, histology, and fingerprints

• Perform/supervise radiology studies approved by the coroner or chief.

• Coordinate the release of decedents to funeral homes after examinations

• Assist forensic experts such as anthropologists, odonatologists, entomologists, etc.

• 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.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Attend the PSCA Basic Coroner’s Education Course and maintain minimum continuing education annual requirements.

• 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 autopsy and forensic photography skills

• 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 histology

• 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 database programs; the department currently uses QuincyTech

• Possess excellent interpersonal skills and empathy

• Ability to work in emotionally charged and sensitive circumstances

• Exposure to secondary trauma related stressors.

• Ability to work extended hours and holidays with little to no notice, as required.

• Ability to work in various weather and hazardous environments to complete examinations.

• Ability to work in emotionally charged and sensitive circumstances.

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.

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