Deputy Coroner

Pay Range:

$36 per 12-hour on-call shift / $125 for call outs / $60 for phone calls 

MONTROSE COUNTY BENEFIT INFORMATION:

General Statement of Duties: Responds to the scene, or take phone reports if response not indicated, of all reportable deaths that occur in Montrose County, obtains information concerning the circumstances surrounding the death, examines the decedent for postmortem changes and trauma, documents and safeguards personal effects until released to next of kin, establishes positive identification of the decedent, locates and notifies next of kin in a timely compassionate professional manner, obtains identifying information about the decedent, obtains medical history of the decedent when appropriate, determines the necessity for an autopsy in conjunction with the coroner, ensures the protection of trace evidence on the decedent until it can be properly evaluated, documented and collected: assists with autopsies as needed.

Supervision Received: The Deputy Coroner On-Call is directly accountable to the Coroner for implementation of all duties and direction concerning the Coroner’s Office.

Supervision Exercised: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class. 

While on-call, be available by pager or phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week for a timely response to the scene of all reportable deaths that occur in Montrose County. Estimate date and time of death, pronounce death, obtain medical records, interview witnesses, family members, physicians, professionals, and others associated with the deceased, write accurate unbiased reports, and document findings on Coroner’s Office of Medical Investigations investigative form. Ensures positive identification of the decedent is made and the immediate next of kin is notified of the death in a timely compassionate and professional manner. Interacts and communicates with family members and friends in a comforting compassionate manner. Proficient time management skills, ability to work with minimal supervision, to ensure timely response, notification of next of kin, and the completion of all required reports and documents. Evaluates observations of the scene, and the examination of the decedent with the history provided. Interacts with federal, state and local agencies involved in the death investigation. Interacts with other professionals to ensure the timely completion of required reports and forms to ensure final disposition of the decedent. Identifies, properly preserves and documents evidence. Keeps current on scientific technology and investigative techniques. Attends autopsies, as needed or required as well as quarterly training meetings. Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education:High School graduate or equivalent; experience in medical field (RN, paramedic, EMT, etc.); prior or current P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officer or equivalent; Certification with the Colorado Coroners Association; Death Investigators Certification (may be obtained after hire); complete FEMA Incident Command System courses – 100.b and 100.a (may be completed after hire); must have a valid Colorado Driver’s License.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years experience in death investigation is preferred - medical background and/or law enforcement investigative experience is preferred.

Required Knowledge: Knowledge of modern methods of death investigations; knowledge of fingerprinting; knowledge of human anatomy; ability to work with deceased bodies under various conditions; ability to conduct research, data collection and analysis.

Language Skills: Must have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and the skill to organize materials and present information clearly and concisely in verbal and written form. Must be able to read, understand, and interpret complex documents. Must understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Must have proficient knowledge of the English language, proper grammar, punctuation and spelling in other oral and written communication and have understanding of current technical report and business correspondence writing techniques and methods. Must be able to read, comprehend and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and standard operating procedures required for this position, as well as, technical reports, procedure documents and manuals. Must be able to make effective and persuasive presentation on complex topics to a wide variety of audiences.

Interpersonal Skills: Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Have strong customer service orientation and work collaboratively within a team environment. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Must have the skill to organize work flow and accomplish established objectives. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must maintain appropriate professional boundaries in relationships with customer/clients and the general public.

Mathematical Skill: Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. 

Reasoning Skills: Must be able to apply principles of logic and reasoning or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems and work independently with minimal direction. Must be able to prioritize work and simultaneously manage multiple responsibilities at times under pressure of tight deadlines and emotional situations. Must have the skill to solve problems involving concrete and abstract variables in a variety of situations within established guidelines.

Office Technology/Computer Skills: Must be able to effectively use modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must have fundamental experience with word processing, database manipulation, spread sheets, email, and the knowledge to save and retrieve documents from a variety of destinations and sources. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects. The employee must frequently assist to lift and/or move objects ranging from 25 pounds to 75 pounds, depending upon assignment. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to smell to distinguish between normal odors or controlled substances. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings as required. Ability to navigate uneven terrain. Ability to work extended shifts with rotation and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations. May be exposed to communicable diseases, infections disease, blood and/or body fluids. These immunizations are required within six months of hire unless medically contraindicated: Hepatitis A and B; MMR and TDAP, flu shot, and Pneumovax.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed primarily in vehicle, homes, outdoor and occasionally hospital and office settings; in all weather conditions including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hazards associated with investigating a scene where a death has occurred. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, body fluids, feces, blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties.

Special Requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record. Licenses and Certifications with the Colorado Coroner’s Association and/or American Board of Medico-legal Death Investigators are desired after hire.

Required Equipment: Possess a cell phone and vehicle (4-wheel preferred) for scene response.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

---