Forensic Identification Specialist

This position is located in the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), Office of the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Forensic Identification Unit (ID Unit). The Staff Assistant (Forensic Identification) is the agency's general point of contact for incoming calls and inquiries, coordinates the identification process, facilitates decedent releases, obtains, reviews, and processes decedent medical records and documents, and processes cremation and anatomical donation requests.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Forensic Identification Specialist receives incoming telephone calls, faxes, and walk in inquiries from the public, law enforcement agencies, medical facilities, and funeral home staff, triages these calls, documents, and inquiries appropriately, and ensures requests of the ID Unit are handled appropriately, completely and timely. The incumbent receives payments from family members, funeral directors, and others for cremation requests, proof of death forms and other documents, and documents and forwards such payments to the appropriate department within the agency.

Coordinates the decedent identification process. First, the Incumbent contacts the decedent's family members and friends to schedule visual identifications at the agency and to provide information about the identification process; facilitates the visual identifications occurring at the agency and provides assistance to family members and others in completing documentation required for decedent identification.; acts as an official witness as a photograph is presented for identification of the decedent. Provides family members with resources to seek grief counseling and burial assistance. Updates Medicolegal case information following a positive identification. Submits fingerprints to various agencies for identification. Once fingerprint results are received, update the medicolegal case information. Requests alias lists when discrepancies are encountered between the tentative name and the name associated with the fingerprint results.

Qualifications and Education

Specialized Experience: is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Licensures and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is primarily sedentary but requires some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as books, files, loose papers, and small parcels. The work is performed in an office setting and the documentation areas of the Mortuary Unit.

Other Significant Factors

Tour of Duty: Incumbent works on a variable rotating schedule

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-679-09

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Unit, and you may be required to pay a service fee (dues) through direct payroll deduction. FAI-Local R3-11.

Position Designation: This position as been designated as security-sensitive under the guideline of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, incumbents must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check (as applicable) as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of their tenure.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.