Medicolegal Death Investigations Supervisor

This position is an on-site position and does not have remote work options.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

This is an exciting new opportunity to be the first Medicolegal Death Investigations (MDI) Supervisor in the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office (PCMEO). PCMEO investigates sudden, unexplained, suspicious, unnatural, unlawful, and violent deaths across a diverse county of nearly one million residents, spanning urban, rural, remote, mountainous, and marine environments. This position requires a high level of independent judgment and plays a critical role in fulfilling the office’s public service mission to the people of Pierce County. In this working-supervisor role, you will provide oversight of a 24/7 unit and supervise a team of 10 investigators. You will be responsible for personnel management, training, budget, policy, and conducting and directing medicolegal death investigations.

Why It's a Great Department:

We serve the living through professional death investigations and forensic postmortem examinations, up to and including autopsy. We work together both within and across teams to provide forensic pathology and death investigation services that are timely, accurate, thorough, and independent from outside influences. You will assist this close-knit staff that performs a critical role for Pierce County.

PCMEO is a stand-alone, secure forensic autopsy facility accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). The office currently has a Lodox™ full-body radiography machine and is undergoing a facility improvement to incorporate advanced imaging computed tomography (CT) into the daily workflow. PCMEO is a modern, moderate-volume, well-equipped four-autopsy station facility with four full-time forensic pathologists, including the Chief Medical Examiner. The office is at the forefront of applying advanced imaging technology and electronic case management systems to streamline workflows and optimize efficiency. A facility renovation project is underway and designed with an eye toward future growth. Your office is fully equipped with modern technology and furnishings. Parking is secure, free, and on-site.

For more information about our great organization, please visit by clicking here.

How to be Successful in the Role:

Bring your knowledge of forensic science and your experience performing medicolegal death investigations, along with motivation, attention to detail, and a positive attitude, and you are sure to succeed. You will have a high level of professionalism, discretion, and respect for our mission. Having the skills to manage stress and be able to maintain a professional and compassionate demeanor while working at death scenes. Be able to make independent decisions as you will assign and monitor the work of your team and ensure its quality. You will communicate professionally with law enforcement, medical personnel, and other professionals, as well as family members who have lost loved ones.

Your Future in this Role:

As the first MDI Supervisor, you will have the opportunity to build this new position based on your expertise and implement department goals. You will be working closely with a team of dedicated managers and forensic pathologists who are skilled and knowledgeable in medicolegal death investigations. You will play a critical role in developing and implementing our policies and procedures, and managing mass disaster response. Additionally, Pierce County is committed to your growth, providing access to robust online learning and professional development programs to help you thrive and advance in your career.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Manage, supervise and coordinate activities of the Unit; determine work procedures, prepare work schedules to ensure 24/7/365 coverage, and determine methods for expediting workflow; assign, review and approve the work of subordinate staff.
• Oversee professional and technical work in medicolegal death investigations.
• Assist in family-physician communications, conduct death notifications as needed, and serve as the first point of escalation for complex issues within the Investigations Unit.
• Effectively manages employees in a represented environment.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

• Six years of progressively responsible professional experience in medicolegal death investigations or a closely related field, including work in policy development
• One year of experience supervising complex investigations and one year of lead or supervisory experience
• Postsecondary education in criminal justice, forensic science, or other related fields may substitute for up to four years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis
• A valid driver's license is required
• Please attach a current resume and cover letter with your application. Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application

Special Requirements/Qualifications

• Registry Certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation (ABMDI) is required within one year of employment. Certification must be maintained for the duration of employment in this classification

• An employee in this position is subject to 24-hour availability and must be willing to work non-standard hours as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a senior or lead medicolegal death investigator
• Experience in other areas (e.g., work equivalent to that performed by the Technical or Administrative Units)

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community.Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?