OCME Field Investigator II (Temporary): Death Scene Ops

State of West Virginia; West Virginia; On-site; USD 41,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, part of the West Virginia Department of Health, is seeking a Temporary Investigator 2 in Kanawha County to investigate reported deaths and ensure proper classification, providing 24/7 coverage.

You will supervise CoMEs during death scene investigations, coordinate with law enforcement and funeral homes, manage case records, and assist autopsy pathologists with background information to guide case handling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in law enforcement or investigative work.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and the availability of an automobile is required.
• Qualification to possess and use firearms may be required.
• Experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required training.

Responsibilities

• Field Operations & Regional Coordination: supervise and coordinate County Medical Examiners during death scene investigations and liaise with law enforcement, first responders, 911 dispatch centers, funeral homes, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, VA medical centers, and decedent transport vendors.
• Case Management & Forensic Reporting: initiate new cases in the case management database by gathering comprehensive case intelligence, including circumstances surrounding the death, decedent identification, records, social service agency records, and legal next-of-kin details.
• Facility & Evidence Operations: oversee the 24/7/365 intake and release of decedents and personal property at the OCME facility with chain-of-custody protocols.
• Pathology Consultation & Leadership: consult with forensic pathologists during case triage and translate findings into actionable guidance for CoMEs.

Education

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Job description

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, part of the West Virginia Department of Health, is seeking a Temporary Investigator 2 in Kanawha County to investigate reported deaths and ensure proper classification, providing 24/7 coverage.

You will supervise CoMEs during death scene investigations, coordinate with law enforcement and funeral homes, manage case records, and assist autopsy pathologists with background information to guide case handling.