POSITION SUMMARY:

The duty of the Deputy Investigator Coroner is to determine the cause and manner of death of all individuals within the confines of his/her jurisdiction. The Deputy Investigator responds to "routine" calls and completes all required investigations, interviews, paperwork, and follow-up regarding the call.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

• Responsible for handling of routine calls during the work shift and for contacting the On-Duty Supervisor for non-routine calls.
• Receive calls for service from Berks County Dispatcher, Coroner's office telephones or supervisors.  Complete a report of death either by taking the information over the telephone or responding to the scene, hospital, nursing home, care giving facility, place of business or a personal residence.
• Complete the required paperwork for any such calls while on duty in a complete, concise, and professional manner as dictated by protocols and procedures of the office.
• While at the scene, conduct a thorough investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the death.
• Conduct a complete investigation of the body and the scene.
• Make determinations of suspicious and non-suspicious deaths,
• time of death due to circumstances of the body such as rigor mortis,
• livor mortis, body decomposition, etc.
• Preserve, collect, and interpret evidence for the office, police, or the courts.  Work with other agencies at the scene such as law enforcement, fire, ambulance personnel, etc.
• Conduct an in-depth interview with family member(s) to determine past medical history, habits, medications, recent problems, or falls, etc.  If family members are not present, conduct an in-depth search of the premises for information leading to finding next of kin. 
• Advise and assist families with the process of interment of the deceased, advising and assisting with funeral homes and removals.
• In the event the body must be removed for further investigation (i.e. homicides, vehicle crashes, accidents) or further testing (i.e. autopsies, toxicological exams, odontology) the deputy is responsible for transporting the body to the morgue or other testing facility.  The deputy is responsible for chain of custody for the body during this type of event.
• Obtain, identify, and preserve body fluids (blood, urine, vitreous, bile) for toxicological examinations and transport same to the appropriate laboratory when necessary.
• Handle requests for information and to assist in routine office duties while on duty and refer all other matters to the on-duty Supervisor.

Non-Essential Functions

• Deputies (on or off duty) are required to respond to any emergency situation or mass disaster which may occur in this County or any other county which is listed in the Mutual Aid Agreement, at the discretion of the Coroner or the supervisor.
• Deputies may be called in early is assist in the office on extremely busy shifts or called out to assist on duty deputies with a larger type call (on overtime basis).
• Testify at hearing or in court when subpoenaed or requested to do so.
• Assist other deputies with their investigation such as make family notifications, complete certain forms, serve subpoenas and any other assistance as needed. 
• Assist with body transports as needed.
• Complete other appropriate duties that the Coroner or supervisors may assign

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Background in law enforcement, fire investigation services, emergency medical technician/paramedic or related fields or prior experience in a 
• Coroner/Medical Examiner's office.
• Full time deputies are required to attend and pass a 40-hour course and test presented by The Coroner's Education Board and complete 8 C.E.U. credits to maintain Coroner Certification annually.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to communi ate well with people, be compassionate, and caring.
• Basic knowledge in the related fields of law enforcement, fire investigation, and emergency medical or be willing to become familiar with those fields.
• Basic knowledge in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position requires lifting human bodies, moving heavy objects, bending, kneeling, stooping, crawling, walking, talking, and smelling.  Work also requires walking up or down steep inclines, going into rivers, lakes, woodland, and rocky terrain, crawling into tight spaces, climb ladders, trees, etc.  Incumbent must be able to wear heavy/hot protective gear (suits, gloves, masks, shoes).

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment includes attending autopsies, using needles, syringes, and drawing bloods, vitreous, bile and urine samples.  Duties are performed both inside and outside, in varying conditions including extreme heat, extreme cold, and wet conditions.  Duties may also be performed in high precarious places or small confined spaces.  The incumbent may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, toxic/caustic chemicals, bodily fluids, etc.  Incumbent must be able to withstand odors associated with bodies in varying stages of decay.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.