Coroner's Officer

KONG Amsterdam; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading police organization in the UK is seeking a Coroners Officer in Sunderland to investigate unnatural and violent deaths while ensuring compliance with legal standards. This role requires effective communication and teamwork to manage sensitive information. The successful candidate will enjoy benefits, including 26 days of leave, flexible working options, and a public sector pension scheme. This position operates on a fixed-term basis with an initial probation period. A commitment to community wellbeing is also expected.

Benefits

26 days leave

NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme

Enhanced maternity leave

Flexible working options

Public sector pension scheme

Private healthcare

Paid sick leave

Access to gyms

Qualifications

• Ability to deliver timely investigations under the direction of the coroner.
• Skill to communicate effectively and compassionately with all contacts.

Responsibilities

• Ensure legal compliance with coronial law following Chief Coroner guidance.
• Gather and assess evidence to support judicial decisions.
• Investigate and document case details for inquests.

Skills

Proficiency in computer programmes

Understanding of coronial work

Planning and prioritizing investigations

Problem identification and solution development

Teamworking capability

Compassionate communication skills

Job description

Vacancy Type Police Staff Area Command / Department Crime Location Sunderland Contract Type Secondment/Fixed Term Hours Full Time Salary Range £36,066 - £41,028 Closing Date 08/01/2026

Role

Salary: Band 8, £36,066 - £41,028 (Northumbria Police policy: appointment at the bottom)

Location: Agile, Sunderland City Hall and some homeworking

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, 12‑month fixed term / secondment (maternity cover)

About Team NP

Our purpose is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. We rely on a team of 2,000 police staff and 200 volunteers who support officers in a wide range of specialisms.

As one of the top 50 UK inclusive employers and a disability‑confident employer we promote a culture of respect and support health and wellbeing through year‑round events, a 24/7 welfare hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity.

Open Opportunity – Coroners Officer

Join our Crime Department as a Coroners Officer, investigating deaths that are unnatural, violent, occur in state detention, or where the cause is unknown.

What You’ll Do

• Ensure legal compliance with coronial law and relevant legislation (Coroners and Justice Act 2009, Investigations Regulations 2013, Inquests Rules 2013, Notification of Deaths Regulations 2019, Human Tissue Act 2004) following Chief Coroner guidance.
• Manage death reports: receive and review referrals, confirm cause of death, and ensure formal identification is completed ethically and with empathy.
• Gather and assess evidence: collect and evaluate information to support judicial decisions such as ordering a post‑mortem, opening an investigation/inquest, or notifying the registrar.
• Investigate and document: analyse and record case details, attend post‑mortems when required, provide pathologists with relevant information, and maintain integrity of samples and exhibits. Support Coroners’ inquests and court proceedings.
• Liaise and communicate: keep families and interested persons updated, and coordinate with pathologists, clinicians, insurers, HSE, prison authorities, and legal representatives.

What You’ll Bring

• Proficiency in a variety of computer programmes to support your work.
• Understanding of the work conducted by the Coroner.
• Ability to plan, prioritise, and deliver timely investigations under the direction of the coroner.
• Skill to identify problems and develop alternative options and solutions.
• Teamworking capability to deliver an outstanding service.
• Effective and compassionate communication skills with all contacts, including delivering difficult and sensitive messages.

What We Offer

• 26 days leave (increasing to 30 days for 5+ years of service) plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
• Flexi‑time and compressed hours options
• Agile working: work from home, team zone, or other force sites
• Public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
• Corporate travel schemes (local rail, bus services, metro discounts)
• Private healthcare and eye test vouchers
• Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets discounts
• Paid sick leave, on‑site mental health first aiders, employee advice service
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Sports & Social Club membership and exclusive travel discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

Terms of Appointment

Fixed‑term / secondment subject to a six‑month probationary period. Successful candidates will not be eligible for other internal or external posts during probation.

Application Process

Initial application form followed by a face‑to‑face interview. You may save your application and return to it until the closing date. We are a Disability Confident Leader; we offer adjusted support for disabled applicants.

Use of AI in applications is accepted with the expectation that submissions reflect personal qualifications and experiences. All applications will undergo thorough vetting; residency in the UK for at least 3 years is required.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if applications are sufficient.

Contact

For further information, please contact Steve Brown, D/Inspector Major Investigation Team, by email: [e-mail].