Medicolegal Death Investigator I

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Public Health Job Classification Title Medicolegal Death Investigator I (S) Position Number 65034703 Grade MH13 About Us The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence. Description of Work The Medicolegal Death Investigator I position supports the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) by conducting medicolegal death investigations and assisting with postmortem examinations to determine cause and manner of death. The role involves communicating with law enforcement, hospitals, funeral homes, and families to gather case information and ensure proper evidence handling. Work includes attending death scenes, collecting and documenting evidence, performing radiography and fingerprinting for identification, and submitting biometric samples to appropriate agencies. This position also contributes to training initiatives and may participate in emergency responses, including massfatality events. Key Duties Include: - Conduct death scene investigations and collect evidence to support medicolegal determinations. - Perform postmortem procedures such as radiographic imaging, fingerprinting, and skeletal analysis to assist with identification. - Submit DNA and fingerprint samples to state and federal agencies for processing and comparison. - Communicate with law enforcement, medical providers, and other agencies to gather case information and coordinate investigative activities. - Receive and document incoming death reports, determine jurisdiction, and enter case data into the medical examiner system. - Assist with external examinations through photography, evidence documentation, and collection of toxicology specimens. - Support training efforts for interns and professionals in medicolegal death investigation and forensic identification. - Manage cold case investigations by researching historical data and applying updated forensic methods. - Provide testimony in court regarding investigative findings and evidence handling when required. - Participate in massfatality operations, including scene coordination and multiagency communication. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Grade Range: $55,490.00 - $83,235.00 Recruitment Range: $55,490.00 - $55,490.00 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: Demonstrated experience conducting death scene investigations, including evidence collection, detailed documentation, and coordination with law enforcement under established chainofcustody requirements. Proven skill performing postmortem identification tasks such as radiographic imaging, fingerprinting, and skeletal analysis, with consistent application of forensic procedures to support case findings. Intermediate proficiency using electronic case management systems to enter, track, and maintain investigative data in a highvolume medicolegal environment. Documented experience preparing investigative reports and supporting case determinations through accurate photography, injury documentation, and collection of toxicology and biometric specimens. Demonstrated skill delivering training or guidance in medicolegal investigation topics, including jurisdictional principles, identification techniques, and scene documentation practices. The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date Physical Requirements: The duties of this position require periods of sitting, viewing computer monitors, reading, and interpreting hand-written reports, and repetitive hand and wrist motion entering data. This position responds to active death scenes, must have the ability to withstand, and work in, all types of weather conditions for a long period of time. Ability to climb, kneel, crawl, reach, walk, stand, push, pull and lift medium to heavy weight. About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH): The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state. About the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME): The North Carolina Medical Examiner System is a network of medical doctors and allied health professionals throughout North Carolina who voluntarily devote their time, energy, and medical expertise to see that deaths of a suspicious, unusual or unnatural nature are adequately investigated. The OCME investigates all deaths in North Carolina due to injury or violence, as well as natural deaths that are suspicious, unusual, or unattended by a medical professional. Please visit our website for more info: https://www.ocme.dhhs.nc.gov/ Campus Amenities and Benefits at the OCME: We are located in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S. 220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility Plentiful Free Parking Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke) Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities Weekly Food Trucks Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling Library of academic journals and materials on-site Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities NC OCME Employee Recognition Programs State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits Compensation and Benefits: The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website forState Benefits. Supplemental Contact Information: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federallaws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governors Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Application Process Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date. Applicantsmaybe subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust"will besubject to a criminal background check. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. Degree/College Credit Verification Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Veterans and National Guard Preference Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. ADA Accommodations Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. CONTACT INFORMATION If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition attalentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelors degree in science (biology, chemistry, nursing, anthropology, forensic sciences, biochemistry, or related sciences field), or criminal justice from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of medicolegal death investigation experience or specialized (e.g., unidentified decedent, etc.) experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience. EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Recruiter: Tresha Walker Email: talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov North Carolina State Government is one of the states largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today! State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. 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