Forensic Autopsy Technician

Full Job Description

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO) is an interesting and challenging place to work. We deal with all sudden, unexpected, and unnatural deaths in the 12th most populous county in the nation. Everyone works hard, but they also appreciate and respect one another.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office is looking for a Forensic Autopsy Technician. Technicians work alongside Forensic Pathologists to help them determine cause and manner of death. They conduct evisceration, take photographs and x-rays, collect samples for toxicology and histology and a range of other activities. There are 6 technicians along with one lead.

Temporary opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last through September 2026. However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels. As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity.

For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation.

You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world.

It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities.

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups.

Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Requirements

• Assist pathologists in opening, eviscerating, and closing bodies and collecting toxicological samples during autopsies.
• Perform photographic documentation of bodies, wounds and associated evidentiary aspects of the case.
• Operate and maintain photographic equipment and digital images.
• Clean and prepare bodies for autopsy and subsequent release to funeral homes.
• Collect, catalog, and maintain evidence from autopsy to release to appropriate investigating agency.
• Perform custodial maintenance for autopsy room, storage areas and coolers, and arrange decedents.
• Wash and dry laundry used in autopsies.
• Order and inventory supplies and materials.
• Perform radiography (CT, dental, fluoroscopy X-rays) and determine X-ray placement and composition.
• Transport specimens to labs.
• Wash and bag sample tissue and store for future reference by pathologist. Take toxicology and histology samples to external laboratories for processing and label and distribute slides to pathologist.
• Compile data in the electronic case management system as well as complete and file forms.
• Assist or perform procedures as indicated for the identification of remains.
• Assist in field investigations as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology beyond high school level
• Knowledge of skeletal biology, including individual bone identification
• Knowledge of trace evidence and chain of custody
• Knowledge of basic firearm safety
• Knowledge in operating standard office equipment
• Skill in time management, organization, and attention to detail
• Skill in problem solving
• Ability to take direction, work independently, prioritizing own work and meeting deadlines
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to lift 175lbs
• Skill in handling several tasks simultaneously
• Skill in following written directions and protocols
• Skill in dealing with death and with human remains in various stages of decomposition, disease, and trauma
• Skill in handling the psychological effect of death for a spectrum of individuals in the community
• Skill in treating human remains with sensitivity and respect
• Skill in maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of information
• Skill in handling stress associated with work duties
• Skill in handling crisis and emergency situations
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Valid WA State Driver's license or ability to obtain upon hire

Desired:

• Experience conducting medicolegal autopsies
• Experience in a large urban Medical Examiner Office
  

Additional Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)

Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• Pre-employment Physical.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description.

This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Work Schedule

Technicians work 5 days per week (8 hours per day), 5:30am to 2pm (this schedule is open to change based on program needs). Technician work takes place 6 days per week (Sunday through Friday).

Working Sundays is shared among all technicians, and schedules are rotated monthly to accommodate this. Each Technician works approximately 1/3 of the Sundays in a year.

Work Location

This position is located at 908 Jefferson, 2nd Floor Seattle, WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership

This position is represented by WSCCCE 1652 Labor Union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov).