Summary

Public Health Seattle and King County are looking for applicants interested in becoming a Forensic Autopsy Technician with the Medical Examiner’s Office. Forensic Autopsy Technicians work alongside Forensic Pathologists to help them determine cause and manner of death. Technicians conduct evisceration, take photographs and x-rays, collect samples for toxicology, as well as a range of other activities.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional career service, term limited temporary (TLT), short-term temporary (STT), or special duty assignment (SDA) vacancies over the next 6 months.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity

Job Duties

• Assist pathologists in opening, eviscerating, and closing bodies and collecting toxicological samples during autopsies.
• Perform photographic documentation of bodies, wounds and associated evidentiary aspects of the case.
• Operate and maintain photographic equipment and digital images.
• Clean and prepare bodies for autopsy and subsequent release to funeral homes.
• Collect, catalog, and maintain evidence from autopsy to release to appropriate investigating agency.
• Perform custodial maintenance for autopsy room, storage areas and coolers, and arrange decedents.
• Wash and dry laundry used in autopsies.
• Order and inventory supplies and materials.
• Take full body, dental and fluoroscopy X-rays and determine X-ray placement and composition.
• Wash and bag sample tissue and store for future reference by pathologist. Take toxicology and histology samples to external laboratories for processing and label and distribute slides to pathologist.
• Compile data in the electronic case management system as well as complete and file forms.
• Assist or perform procedures as indicated for the identification of remains.
• Assist in field investigations as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

• 
  Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology
• Knowledge of trace evidence and chain of custody
• Knowledge of basic firearm safety
• Skill in time management, organization, and attention to detail
• Skill in problem solving
• Able to take direction, work independently, prioritizing own work and meeting deadlines
• Able to work as part of a team
• Skill in handling several tasks simultaneously
• Skill in following written directions and protocols
• Skill in dealing with death and with human remains in various stages of decomposition, disease, and trauma
• Skill in handling the psychological effect of death for a spectrum of individuals in the community
• Skill in treating human remains with sensitivity and respect
• Skill in maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of information
• Skill in handling stress associated with work duties
• Skill in handling crisis and emergency situations
• Knowledge of skeletal biology, including individual bone identification
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge in operating standard office equipment
• Ability to safely maneuver, to chest height, bodies weighing an average of 175 pounds unassisted

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the “Apply” link), or paper application (see note below).
• Responses to the supplemental questions.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

• The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• KCMEO staff are considered Mission Critical employees, and our office continues to operate at full capacity in inclement weather, public health emergencies, etc.
  These positions are not eligible for remote work
• The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
• The selected candidate will be required to pass a Pre-Employment Physical.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination, or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Work Schedule: This position has a regular schedule of Monday through Friday, 6:00 am – 2:30pm, with some Saturday hours. At Seattle/King County Public Health we strive to be accessible to those we serve. This position may require flexibility to accommodate different work schedules and work locations. This position is overtime eligible.

Work Location: This position will primarily work at the Harborview Medical Center, Medical Examiner's Office located at 908 Jefferson St. Seattle WA 98104. As needed, the position may be deployed to other sites throughout King County.

UNION AFFILIATION: This position is represented by WSCCCE L1652- Medical Examiner

CONTACT: For more information about the application process, please contact Sarah Dunkinson at sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov.