Position Description Mission The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity. Vision * To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community. * To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings. * To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science. Brief Forensic Investigator Overview: The Forensic Investigator responds to death scenes to document, recover and identify human remains, and collect and preserve physical and biological evidence. Answers and records death calls and prepares written and verbal reports in accordance with Sec. 49.25, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Consults other HCIFS Divisions (i.e. anthropology, trace) as requested or required by the circumstances of a case. Duties & Responsibilities: * Responds to death scenes to document, recover and identify human remains, and collect and preserve physical and biological evidence. * While on scene, responsible for directing decedent transport staff in helping with manipulation of the decedent, property collection, and evidence collection at scenes. * Locates and notifies family of death, responds to inquiries from families and law enforcement agencies, and provides for complete transition of information from shift to shift and team to team. * Prepares and submits to all designated parties reports covering operations and jurisdictions. * Supervises the admission and release of bodies to ensure procedural compliance, protects the integrity of specimens and evidence, and ensures proper identification and storage. * This includes supervision of decedent transport staff both at scenes and in the office. * Coordination with Forensic Transporters and Forensic Transporter II's for scene response and decedent recovery from hospitals/scenes. * Testifies in court proceedings regarding investigation, observations, and documentation procedures at the scene. * Notifies the Supervisor, Director of Forensic Investigations, and/or Assistant Deputy Chief Medical Examiner of special problems or interests. * Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Director of Forensic Investigations and/or Assistant Deputy Chief Medical Examiner. * Other duties as assigned. Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate. Requirements A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS MAY BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW; AN OFFICIAL CERTIFIED ORIGINAL WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY JOB OFFER. Education: * Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Anthropology, Biological Sciences, or an equivalent field. Licensure: * Valid driver's license is required (Texas within two weeks of employment) Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: * Knowledge of crime scene investigation, photography, fingerprints and basic human anatomy. * Good written and oral communication skills. * Effective organizational and time management skills are all essential to satisfactory job performance. * Basic computer skills including computer systems using Microsoft Office and standard applications. * Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously. * Natural ambulation and manual dexterity are required due to the essential physical demands of manipulating bodies as part of the investigation and in loading/unloading bodies, including the ability to climb stairs, industrial and commercial structures; ability to board ships; and the ability to spend whatever time necessary on one's feet to investigate and/or recover human remains NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications. Preferences Education: * Graduate degrees in a related field Experience: * Experience (previous employment or internships) in a medical examiner's office * Experience with exposure to human remains at some point during schooling or prior work experience Licensure: * Current registry (diplomate) level certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) General Information Location: * Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences - 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054 Work Environment: * Work involves possible exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. * May come in contact with blood and/or blood-borne pathogens and will require training in Universal Precautions. Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department. BENEFITS Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan. The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions: * Medical Coverage * Dental Coverage * Vision Coverage * Wellness Plan * Life Insurance * Long-term disability * Employee Assistance Program * Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service * Accrual rates increase based on years of service * Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday * Professional development opportunities * Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan * Healthcare Reimbursement Account * 457 Deferred Compensation Plan The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees: * Retirement Pension (TCDRS) * Flexible schedule (varies by department) * Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program) In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed. For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website: https://benefitsathctx.com/ 01 Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application. * High School or GED diploma * Associate Degree * Bachelor's Degree * Master's Degree or higher * None of the above 02 If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major? * Criminal Justice * Forensic Sciences * Anthropology * Biological Sciences * Other Related Field * Unrelated Field * N/A; No Degree 03 Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs. 04 Do you have experience (previous employment or internships) in a medical examiner's office? * Yes * No 05 Please provide details about your verifiable experience (previous employment or internships) in a medical examiner's office. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided. 06 Do you have experience with exposure to human remains at some point during schooling or prior work experience? * Yes * No 07 Please provide details about your verifiable experience with exposure to human remains at some point during schooling or prior work experience. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided. 08 Do you have current registry (diplomate) level certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)? * Yes * No 09 Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check. * Advanced * Intermediate * Basic * Entry Level * Not proficient 10 This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Driver's License? * Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License * Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date * No, I'm not interested 11 An unofficial copy of your college transcript is required along with your application. (Please scan your transcripts and attach to this application before submitting). * Yes, I have attached a copy of my complete transcripts. * No, I have not attached the required transcript. I understand that this may result in disqualification from the employment process. * N/A (not applicable) Required Question Agency Harris County Address 1111 Fannin St Ste. 600 Houston, Texas, 77002 Phone 713-274-5445 Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx