Job Description

Summary

Under general supervision, performs work of moderate difficulty investigating unattended or unnatural deaths, performs other work as assigned. This position reports to the Senior Medico-Legal Death Investigator.

Essential Job Functions

(Essential function, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Gather confidential information, maintain records, and prepare reports in a timely manner.
• Will need to establish and maintain an effective working relationship between several different agencies such as Law Enforcement, hospital staff, Federal and State agents, other staff members, and the public.
• Collects toxicological specimens and submits them for analysis.
• Assist with the processing of death certificates, property, and body handling records.
• Catalogs evidentiary materials. Ensures evidence is obtained and stored properly while following appropriate chain of custody.
• Ensures quality of all forensic photography.
• May include crawling into tight spaces such as under houses, attics, vehicles, and in water. This may include up and down stairs and rough outdoor terrain.
• Will conduct decedent removal such as: rolling, carrying and transporting to funeral homes/morgue facilities.
• May conduct training on death investigation procedures.
• Incumbent must pass a background investigation, drug screen, fingerprint clearance and CVSA polygraph. Periodic background and drug screens may be conducted after employment.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and techniques of investigative work.
• Knowledge of basic laws of evidence (Arizona Revised Statutes) and relevant laws pertaining to death investigations.
• Skills in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating facts and evidence of a death scene.
• Skills in acting quickly and calmly with proper judgement in emergency situations.
• Skilled in effective communication verbally and in writing.
• Incumbents must be able to deal with death; deceased person(s) and decomposed remains.
• Incumbents may traverse; climb and hike rough terrain (land and water) in extreme weather (including heat and cold) to reach the scene of deceased person(s) and work irregular shifts, including 24-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to work independently and follow directions. Works with families of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in a respectful and compassionate manner.
• Incumbent will be exposed to graphic scenes that can be classified as a crime, suicide, vehicle accidents, etc., which can be very graphic and violent in nature. Incumbent must be able to keep composure and professionalism to complete your job requirements.
• Incumbent may be at risk of exposure to disease, hazardous materials, chemicals and/or biological agents.

Desirable Qualifications

Bachelors or Associates degree in a related field; OR an equivalent combination of training/education and /or experience; AND able to lift a minimum of 150 lbs alone and up to 500 lbs with assistance; AND pass a background check, criminal history checks and CVSA polygraph; AND possess a valid Arizona Driver License.

American Board of Medico-Legal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certificate is preferred, otherwise must be obtained within 18 months if budget allows.

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