Medical-Legal Death Investigator

About the Position

The District Attorney’s Office strives to improve public safety and quality of life to Lane County citizens by prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, securing the appropriate support for children and families, as well as determining the cause and manner of death in all cases of traumatic or unattended death.

We are currently seeking an organized and detail-oriented individual to join our office as a Medical-Legal Death Investigator. This position involves a variety of duties related to death investigation under the direction of the District Attorney and Deputy State Medical Examiner as prescribed by ORS 146.090.

Responsibilities:

• Gathering information at scenes and examining bodies for evidence of medical disease and/or injury.
• Taking quality photos of scenes and bodies for routine documentation.
• Interviewing relatives of the deceased as well as any witnesses to obtain pertinent information regarding the investigation.
• Collecting body fluid samples and preserving physical evidence.
• Preparing detailed and grammatically sound reports concerning deaths investigated.
• Authorizing and coordinating removal of bodies to/from locations as appropriate by the funeral home or designated transport service contracted for this purpose.
• Taking temporary custody of personal effects of deceased individuals when applicable and, after making a thorough inventory, turning them over to a responsible person such as a funeral director, relative or law enforcement officer.
• Assisting in the coordination of death notification or performing death notification to the legal next-of-kin.
• Being the conduit between families, medical personnel, funeral directors, law enforcement, etc., and the Deputy State Medical Examiner during all phases of the investigation.
• Assisting at postmortem examinations during training and when regular technicians are unavailable.
• Reviewing police reports, video/audio recordings, medical/dental charts, etc., related to the death/deceased individual and summarizing that information in the investigative reports.
• Updating and maintaining the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office file system.
• Occasionally providing testimony for grand jury, criminal or civil trials.
• Representing the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office before the media and occasionally make presentations to the general public.
• Answering inquiries and correspondence from insurance companies, attorneys, law enforcement, physicians and families.
• Understanding and applying the laws, rules and regulations prescribed by ORS 146 and other statutes that may relate to death investigations.

About the Division

Christopher J. Parosa is Lane County's elected district attorney. His office is responsible for the prosecution of all crimes in Lane County Circuit Court.

Divisions in the District Attorney's Office include Criminal; Juvenile; Family Law (Child Support Enforcement); Victim Services and Death Investigations.

Our Mission: Strive to improve public safety and quality of life by prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, securing the appropriate support for children and families, and determining the cause and manner of death in all cases of traumatic or unattended death.

Schedule: Shift Work

This is an AFSCME represented position

QUALIFICATIONS:

Training and Experience:

• Five years of medical investigative, similar investigation experience, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or a related field;
• Or an equivalent combination sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Training and experience in paramedicine (EMT or paramedic) or nursing.
• Familiarity with basic anatomy, common medical conditions, and general medical terminology.
• Effective communication with and between diverse organizations and individuals such as law enforcement, medical personnel, and family members.
• Ability to independently analyze and prioritize multiple complex or critical tasks, often occurring simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Familiarity with modern office procedures, methods and computer technology.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, medical facilities/providers, and local law enforcement agencies in the usual course of work.
• Oregon Medicolegal Death Investigator (OMLDI) Training Certification: A 40-hour in person course provided in Clackamas at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office with written and practical examinations on completion. Certification at time of appointment or obtained within one year of employment satisfies the requirement.
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Basic Certification: Relevant experience, training, and documentation are obtained on-the-job to qualify for sitting for the proctored examination. Certification at time of appointment or obtained within one year of employment satisfies the requirement.

Special Requirements:

• Must have valid Oregon driver license by time of appointment.
• Must be able to respond to scene of investigation within one hour.

Notes:

• This position is subject to a full criminal offender record check.

Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The county will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

CLASSIFICATION DETAILS:

Medical-Legal Death Investigator Classification Details

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Selection Process

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace.  All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

Strategic Plan

In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors: Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.

The 2022 -2024 Strategic Plan (Download PDF reader) focuses on the areas that Lane County will pursue as a way to deliver on our vision for the residents of Lane County. To meet these challenges, we know that the basis of our efforts lies in leveraging our people and partnerships to achieve our Strategic Priorities. We also recognize that the quality and commitment of our staff is essential to a shared future where Lane County is the best place in which to live, work, and play.

Veteran Preference Information