Deputy Coroner Level I/II

Duties

• Under general supervision, the Deputy Coroner Level I/II conducts investigations to determine the jurisdiction, circumstances, manner and cause of deaths which occur within the jurisdiction of the Sacramento County's Coroner's Office.

Knowledge of

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Principles, methods and techniques of investigation and interviewing with emphasis on investigation of deaths to determine cause and manner
• Techniques and sources for identifying and locating persons
• Rules of evidence and standard techniques for gathering and preserving evidence
• Basic anatomy and medical terminology
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and databases
• Medical and laboratory procedures related to death investigation
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Ability to

• Understand and follow oral instructions and Coroner's Office procedures and laws
• Accurately observe and record information relating to deaths
• Deal tactfully and effectively with the public and other governmental agencies in situations that are highly stressful
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with department personnel, law enforcement agencies, other coroner's offices, medical offices, the media, and others
• Interpret laws and regulations
• Write clear and concise reports, field notes, and correspondence and maintain accurate records using modern office equipment
• Analyze and interpret medical and other technical reports relating to investigations and assess them for completeness and accuracy
• Learn the use and care of small firearms

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Successful completion of 60 semester (90 quarter) units from an accredited college or university with at least 9 semester (13 quarter) units of coursework in criminal justice, life science, health science, or other closely related field.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, life science, health science or other closely related field from an accredited college or university is desirable, but not required.

Criminal History and Background Checks:

• The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedures, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.
• The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

Compliance with California Government Code: Each employee of this class shall meet the minimum standards pursuant to California Government Code, Section 1031, as may be amended from time to time.

• Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship. Any permanent resident alien shall be disqualified from holding a position if his or her application for citizenship is denied.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record. In addition, a classifiable set of fingerprints shall be furnished to the Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
• Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer. For purposes of this section, a medical examination, including psychological screening, shall be required prior to appointment.

License Requirement:

• Some positions may require possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, prior to appointment to this class. Failure to maintain a valid license may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules and/or the applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certificate Requirement:

• Deputy Coroner Level I: Successful completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified PC 832 Arrest and Firearms course and a POST certified Coroner's Death Investigation Course must be successfully completed within one year of appointment.
• Deputy Coroner Level II: Successful completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified PC 832 Arrest and Firearms course is required at the time of appointment. A POST certified Coroner's Death Investigation Course must be successfully completed within one year of appointment.

Physical Requirements: Positions in this class require the incumbent to be able to:

• Lift and move bodies weighing up to 150 pounds with assistance
• Assist with carrying dead bodies up and down stairs and steep levees, and in confined areas
• Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions: Positions in this class require the incumbent to be able to:

• Handle death in a mature and respectful manner
• Tolerate unpleasant aspects associated with traumatic death, bodies of deceased persons in various stages of decomposition, odors and larva
• Travel when necessary to conduct business
• Make tactful and empathetic death notifications
• Work in all weather conditions
• Work on-call as necessary including nights, weekends and holidays

Probationary Period

• The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months.

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