Medical Examiner Investigator

Salary: $24.34 - $41.35 Hourly
Location : Salt Lake County, UT
Job Type: Part Time
Job Number: 44034
Agency: 250 Health & Human Services
Unit: 1501 DHHS MEDICAL EXAMINER
Opening Date: 03/03/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Recruiter: Taylor Dallinga - tdallinga@utah.gov
# of Openings: 2
Location: Office of the Medical Examiner4451 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, UT 84129
Benefits: This position is not eligible for benefits.
Background Check: You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
Schedule Code: IN - This is a career service exempt at will position. Employees in this schedule may not work more than 30 hours per week.
Driver License Requirements: Employees hired for this recruitment will be subject to the Driver Eligibility standards found at the following link: https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/search/driver%20eligibility/Current%2...
EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, dial 711 or TTY: 800-346-4128.

Job Description
Do you have investigation experience? The Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) seeks you as a Medicolegal Death Investigator. In this role you will be responsible to provide scene and telephonic response to deaths reported to the OME. The Investigations section is responsible for the investigation of all deaths falling under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Medical Examiner under Utah Code 26B-8-205, including initial scene response as well as coordinating transportation of decedents, processing evidence, identifying decedents, and follow-up on investigations to aid in the determination of cause and manner of death. Due to the nature of this position, compliance to the Utah Department of Health Employee Immunization policy is required. Travel is required.

Why You Should Join Our Team

• This is an opportunity to to be part of a dynamic team and positively impact your community by dedicating your skills and passion to serving the state of Utah.

The Agency

• To learn more about the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Medical Examiner, click here. If offered this position, your continued employment will be contingent upon passing a fingerprint background check.

Responsibilities:

As a Medicolegal Death Investigator you will:

• Handle phone calls reporting deaths, responding to death scenes, conducting investigations which include researching and gathering information, interviewing witnesses, real time database direct entry, preparing investigative reports, handling evidence, moving remains, and determining jurisdiction of deaths reported to the OME.
• Assist medical examiners/forensic pathologists with complete documentation of evidence collected and recorded chain of custody, reports, and records gathering and review, and other requests as needed.
• Be familiar with laws and regulations regarding death investigation in Utah.
• Respond to incoming questions and complaints, provide information as allowed by law, explain policies and procedures, and facilitate resolution of issues as they arise.
• Facilitate information exchange between investigators and organ and tissue donation coordinators to allow for timely donation of organs and tissues.
• Coordinate information exchanges with law enforcement entities, treating physicians, attorneys and families.
• Other duties, tasks and responsibilities may be assigned at any time.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be located in Salt Lake County
• Has experience as a medicolegal death investigator.
• Has scene investigative experience (CSI, detective, law enforcement officer, etc.)
• Has a certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI).
• Has strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Has a medical degree or training (PA, NP, RN, paramedic, EMT, etc.) and current certification.
• Has a Bachelor's or Master's degree in forensic science, medical/nursing, or science.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check
• Bachelor's degree in forensic science, nursing, a biological science, criminal justice or a related field AND one (1) year of directly related, experience in medical or criminal or death investigation;

OR,

• Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the above stated requirements.

Example of Duties

• Conducts investigations into allegations of a variety of inappropriate activities, rules infractions, illegal actions, or cause of death.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and/or state laws, regulations, and/or agency rules, standards and guidelines, etc.
• Receives, researches, and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Maintains detailed inspection or investigation records, prepares reports, and attends to other related administrative requirements.
• Coordinates program activities, services, and/or program implementation with private providers, other governmental entities, program users, etc.
• Acts as an expert witness. Gives testimony and /or recommendations in court cases and/or hearings.

Working Conditions:

• The OME operates 24 hours per day / 7 days per week. This position will be staffed for two 12 hour shifts a week that include days, nights, weekends and holidays to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g. working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
• The working conditions vary based on the time of year, weather, and location of the investigation scene. This position requires the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment.
• Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA53-3-202(1)(a).

Physical Requirements:

• Work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, hiking, walking over rough terrain or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) or similar activities.

Qualifications

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Knowledge of applications and programming.
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Teaching others how to do something.
• Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Actively looking for ways to help people.
• The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:

• The OME operates 24 hours per day / 7 days per week. This position will be staffed for two 12 hour shifts a week that include days, nights, weekends and holidays to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g. working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
• The working conditions vary based on the time of year, weather, and location of the investigation scene. This position requires the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment.
• Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA53-3-202(1)(a).

Physical Requirements:

• Work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, hiking, walking over rough terrain or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) or similar activities.

Benefits:
The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for a detailed information page: To access a Total Compensation Calculator in Excel format click

FMLA General Notice:
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01

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. The interview selection process is based on your answers to the application questions. Your answers to the questions on this application should be specific to the question that was asked and must be supported by your resume or work history otherwise you may not receive credit. Failure to answer the application questions completely and appropriately may result in disqualification, this includes copy/pasting your resume instead of answering the question. "See resume" or "see work history" are not acceptable answers to any question. Do you understand and agree to follow the above statement?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you willing to travel for work?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid Utah Driver License or will be able to obtain one within a reasonable time frame before employment?

• Yes
• Will be able to obtain one
• No

04

Are you able to work Saturdays, holidays, and evening shifts?

• Yes
• No

05

This position requires physical exertion and the ability to stand, bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, and lift and pull up to 50 pounds in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time. Can you perform these physical requirements?

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of medical experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 3 years
• 3-5 years
• 5 or more years

07

How would you rate your experience level in conducting investigations?

• Beginner - Limited or no experience
• Intermediate - Some experience with investigations
• Advanced - Extensive experience conducting investigations

08

Have you received any formal training or certification related to forensic investigations or medical examiner procedures?

• Yes, I have completed formal training and/or hold relevant certifications
• No, but I have relevant experience in the field
• No, I do not have formal training or certifications in this area

09

How comfortable are you with responding to calls and conducting investigations in potentially sensitive or distressing situations?

• Very comfortable - I am able to remain composed and professional in challenging situations
• Moderately comfortable - I may feel some discomfort but can handle it effectively
• Not comfortable - I may struggle with maintaining composure in distressing situations

10

Please indicate how you heard about this specific job posting.

• State of Utah job site (www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah)
• Referred by a Friend or Family
• Indeed
• Other External Job Board or Site
• LinkedIn
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• DWS job website (www.jobs.utah.gov)
• Advertisement (Digital Ad, Billboard, Print, etc.)
• Professional Network (Association, Membership, Work Colleague)
• University Network (Handshake, School Job Board, Career Center, etc.)
• Contacted by a Recruiter
• Career or Job Fair
• Internship
• Interviewed for different position
• Internal communications (Agency/Division, etc.)
• Other (not listed above)

Required Question