Temporary Investigator 2-Office of Shared Administration-Kanawha Co.

State of West Virginia; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 41,000 - 71,000; Part time

Job summary

State of West Virginia seeks a Temporary Investigator 2 in Kanawha County to investigate reported deaths for the OCME, coordinating with law enforcement and other agencies to classify cases and ensure proper processes.

The role supports 24/7 operations, oversees case intake and evidence custody, and facilitates collaboration with forensic pathologists to provide actionable guidance before autopsies. Requires a valid driver’s license and travel across counties.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Field Operations & Regional Coordination: supervise, assist, and coordinate County Medical Examiners during death scene investigations; serve as the central point of contact across all 55 West Virginia counties; 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, medical, law enforcement, and first responder records, and social service agency records.
• Facility & Evidence Operations: oversee 24/7 intake and release of decedents and personal property at the OCME facility; maintain chain-of-custody protocols at every step.
• Pathology Consultation & Leadership: consult with forensic pathologists during case triage, translating findings into actionable guidance for CoMEs on how to proceed.

Education

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university

Job description

Nature of Work

TEMPORARY INVESTIGATOR 2

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER
WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

LOCATION: KANAWHA COUNTY

SALARY: $41,194 - $71,189 per year

Position Overview

Investigate reported deaths to ensure proper classification under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), maintaining 24/7/365 coverage through the Forensic Investigations Unit (FIU).

Key Responsibilities

• Field Operations & Regional Coordination: Under the direction of the Chief Investigator, supervise, assist, and coordinate County Medical Examiners (CoMEs) during death scene investigations. Serve as the central point of contact across all 55 West Virginia counties, liaising directly 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 and decedent identification
  • Medical, law enforcement, and first responder records
  • Social service agency records (e.g., Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services)
  • Legal next-of-kin details, scene evidence, and personal effects
• Facility & Evidence Operations: Oversee the 24/7/365 intake and release of decedents and personal property at the OCME facility for authorized funeral homes and transport vendors, maintaining rigorous chain-of-custody protocols at every step.
• Pathology Consultation & Leadership: Consult directly with forensic pathologists during case triage, translating findings into actionable guidance and instructions for CoMEs on how to proceed according to specific case requirements.

Synthesize this information into preliminary narratives to accurately classify cases and arm forensic pathologists with vital background context prior to autopsies.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Job not in the classified service. See the hiring agency for a description of benefits.