MADERA COUNTY DEPUTY CORONER

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to investigate and report on causes of death; positively identify deceased individuals; assist with autopsies and post mortem examinations; remove bodies from the scene of death and deliver them to the Coroner facility; maintain the morgue and autopsy room in sanitary and orderly condition; and to perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Deputy Coroner is a PC 830.35 (c) class that is utilized in the Office of the Sheriff to investigate and report on cases of death that fall within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff-Coroner. This class differs from Senior Deputy Coroner in that the Senior functions as a lead supervisor by reviewing, coordinating and assigning the work of the Deputy Coroner. Although the Senior Deputy Coroner functions in a lead capacity, the incumbents of this class will report directly to the supervisor (Sergeant) or manager (Lieutenant or Commander) assigned to the Investigative Services Division.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises no supervision.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Receives calls from law enforcement agencies, doctors, and others reporting possible Coroner’s cases; makes initial determination, subject to review, if a death is within the jurisdiction of the Coroner and if an autopsy or post mortem examination is required; responds to the location of the decedent; investigates deaths and gathers information relating to the method, manner, and location of death as well as the identity of the decedent; takes possession of the body and appropriate evidence and/or personal property and transports the body to the Coroner facility; inventories, packages, and stores personal property and/or seals real property of the decedent; locates and notifies next of kin of the death and informs them of arrangements for disposition of the decedent, including coordination with funeral homes, investigators, and organ donor organizations; provides information regarding indigent burial and bereavement assistance; assists with identification procedures including dental charts, fingerprinting, DNA, or other means; prepares decedent for post mortem examinations and pathological study; obtains toxicology samples; assists the pathologist by preparing instruments, providing suction or flushing of body fluids, and holding or retracting tissue as needed; cleans and closes the body after completion of the autopsy; interviews family members or associates of the decedent for information pertinent to the cause and manner of death; completes documentation necessary for the Coroner’s report, death certificate, and other records; signs death certificates; may confer with forensic pathologists, toxicologists, bacteriologists, and other experts to arrive at an exact cause of death within defined procedural limits; prepares bodies for release to funeral homes; cleans autopsy room, refrigeration and storage rooms, and maintains Coroner equipment in sanitary condition; maintains inventory of supplies needed for the morgue; may testify in court or other legal proceedings in regards to death investigations.

Madera County Deputy Coroner (Continued)

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Operating procedures, policies, and functions of the Madera County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to the duties and operations of a Coroner. Autopsy and post mortem equipment and examination procedures. Sanitation procedures in a morgue environment. Basic anatomy and medical terminology. Interviewing techniques. Techniques used in cause-of-death investigations. Techniques and resources for identifying and locating people. Basic medical and laboratory procedures related to death investigations. Basic principles and procedures of record keeping. Basic principles and practices used in dealing with the public. Recognition and preservation of evidence. Methods and tools utilized for effective report and correspondence writing.

Skill to:

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment. Operate equipment utilized in a morgue environment to successfully perform job duties. Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

Maintain confidential information in accordance with State and local legal requirements and regulations. Meet and deal with the public tactfully and effectively, including those individuals who are distraught. Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs. Accurately observe and record information relating to deaths. Answer questions of law pertaining to death and dead bodies. Research and analyze data or information. Prepare accurate, clear and concise reports and investigative findings. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Madera County Deputy Coroner (Continued)

Ability to (Continued):

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Work around dead bodies and handle the remains of deceased people under gruesome and aesthetically unpleasant conditions.

Experience and Training Guidelines: Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience: One (1) year of experience in one of the following capacities: Assisting in autopsies or embalming; employment in the medical field as a Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, or Certified Nursing Assistant; or providing technical investigatory assistance in a medical or law enforcement function; AND

Education: Completion of at least fifteen (15) semester units from an accredited college, university or technical school in physiology, anatomy, biological science, health science, nursing, kinesiology, criminology, or a closely related field that would provide the knowledge and skills associated with the primary functions of this class.

Substitution: Six (6) months of additional qualifying experience can substitute for the required educational pattern.

License or Certificate: Successful completion of a Basic Coroner’s Course approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, within one (1) year of the date of appointment.

Successful completion of a PC 832 course approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, within one (1) year of the date of appointment.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, by date of appointment, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Special Requirements: Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 75 lbs.; exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards, and infectious diseases; ability to travel to different sites and locations; availability for shift work, weekend work and on-call/stand-by duty. Madera County Deputy Coroner (Continued)

Special Requirements (Continued):

Must meet physical, background, and job related standards as established by the State of California and Madera County to ensure safety of department personnel and the general public.

Candidates must successfully pass a basic medical screening, a psychological evaluation and a thorough background investigation, which may include fingerprinting.

Effective Date: February, 2014 November 2016: Amendments to the essential functions and the minimum qualifications