Field Investigator/Lab Assistant

The Field Investigator will be assigned specific areas of the community where they will serve as the first call Deputy. In addition they will be assigned specific duties as the on call deputy serving local Hospitals. He or she will also assist other Deputy Coroners when assigned by supervisors. The field investigator will be required to travel throughout the County to respond to a Coroner call when no other Deputy is available. The person holding this position will attend autopsies when requested and assist in maintaining the Morgue and Autopsy room in an organized and clean manner. This position requires a nontraditional, unpredictable schedule, both in terms of hours and days of the week.

• Be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless specifically allowed by the Coroner to be absent.
• Reside in Luzerne County or be within a twenty five minute drive to the population center of the Wyoming Valley.
• Obtain blood and urine samples from deceased, complete necessary paperwork and submit the sample to appropriate testing facility.
• Respond to death scene when required and determine the scope of the investigation and coordinate with the necessary investigative agencies.
• Must be able to physically assist with the transportation of deceased.
• Notify the next of kin.
• Complete and file all reports on a timely basis in order to avoid delays to other interested parties and undue embarrassment to the Coroner Office.

• An aptitude for dealing with people who have been affected by the death of a loved one.
• Ability to establish a working relationship with associates, County, Court, and State Agencies.
• The Field Investigator must obtain, within one year of employment, certification from the Pennsylvania Coroner Education Board.

• Completion of an Associate Degree from an accredited college or University.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in death investigations and/or handling of dead bodies.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training and work experience that provided the knowledge and skills listed above.
• The successful candidate must possess the physical ability to remove a deceased from the place of death.

The County of Luzerne is an EEO/ADA employer