Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator

• Note : This job will be posted through 11:59 PM of the day prior to the end date listed.
• Current Washington County Employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Job Type

Regular

Pay Range

$113,190.84 - $137,545.92 Salary

Department

Health and Human Services

FLSA Exemption Status

Exempt

About the Opportunity

Washington County Health and Human Services Department is currently hiring for a Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator position at Medical Examiner’s Office within Public Health Division.

The Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator plans, organizes, supervises, and coordinates the work of Medicolegal Death Investigators and assigned program and administrative staff. This position also conducts and supervises death investigations occurring under violent, questionable, or unexplained circumstances (as described in ORS Chapter 146); prepares detailed reports related to the deceased person; and coordinates death-related activities with appropriate medical and law enforcement personnel.

The Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator serves as the lead ABMDI‑certified investigator for the Medical Examiner’s Office, providing expert-level casework, team leadership, and program oversight. This role requires exceptional investigative skills, professionalism, and consistent, positive engagement with staff, partner agencies, and the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform full-duty medicolegal death investigations and set the standard for investigative excellence.
• Lead with enthusiasm, professionalism, and consistency to build trust and confidence within the team.
• Establish clear expectations, communicate effectively, and assign tasks based on staff strengths.
• Maintain accountability for team performance, program operations, and the quality of all case investigations.
• Provide training, mentoring, and skills development for new and current investigators to ensure advanced competency. Complete performance reviews on time and uphold all Medical Examiner’s Office and county policies. Manage employee disciplinary discussions in accordance with county procedures.
• Be available for consultation during assigned work hours and assist with MEO phone coverage.
• Respond to inquiries timely and be engaged to all inquiries and meetings during scheduled shifts.
• Conduct monthly in-person meetings with direct reports, including agendas and documented notes.
• Review all investigations for completeness and accuracy and deliver constructive feedback.
• Ensure staff remain engaged and productive throughout each shift.
• Represent the Medical Examiner’s Office at regional and national meetings, task forces, and department workgroups.
• Maintain clear, timely communication with the supervisor and staff regarding all significant issues and important updates.
• Maintain strong visibility and collaborative relationships with partner agencies, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, and dispatch centers.
• Promote recognition of the MDI team within the department and support positive, solutions‑focused change.

The Medicolegal Death Investigators (MDI) receive general administrative support from the Program Specialist and general program supervision from the Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator. These positions partner with the law enforcement offices, the District Attorney’s Office, and the State Medical Examiner’s Office by conducting death investigations. The MDIs act as the eyes and ears of the forensic pathologists while investigating the circumstances of deaths, providing the pathologist with the data and evidence to determine the cause and manner of death.

Work Schedule

Due to the nature of the duties, the work is expected to be performed in-person only and is not eligible for remote work. Work locations may vary: primarily at Public Services Building, Hillsboro, OR, frequently travel to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Clackamas, OR, Regional hospitals, and death scenes within Washington County jurisdiction as needed.

Ideal Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Effective communication skills and sound judgment.
• The ability to collaborate with families, medical personnel, and partner agencies are essential.
• Be initiative and have integrity, leadership skills, and emotional intelligence.
• Have 5 years of experience as an American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certified Chief MDI is highly desired.

To review the complete classification, including the full list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with this position, use this link: Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator Classification Specification

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree closely related to medicolegal death investigation, such as criminal justice, forensics, crime scene investigation, anthropology, law enforcement, biology, anatomy, and medical; AND three (3) years of experience working as a medicolegal death investigator or coroner investigator. Experience must include two (2) years in the lead or supervision of Medicolegal Death Investigative staff;

OR

• An Associate Degree closely related to medicolegal death investigation, such as criminal justice, forensics, crime scene investigation, anthropology, law enforcement, biology, anatomy, and medical; AND five (5) years of experience working as a medicolegal death investigator or coroner investigator. Experience must include two (2) years in the lead or supervision of Medicolegal Death Investigative staff;

OR

• HS Diploma or equivalent; AND seven (7) years of experience working as a medicolegal death investigator or coroner investigator. Experience must include two (2) years in the lead or supervision of Medicolegal Death Investigative staff.

A Certification closely related to medicolegal death investigation, such as criminal justice, forensics, crime scene investigation, anthropology, law enforcement, biology, anatomy, and medical from an accredited college/university may substitute one (1) year of experience.

Additional Requirements

• Must be registered as a Diplomate level by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) at the time of appointment and maintain certification.
• Must be able to perform moderately strenuous physical activity and withstand exposure to unpleasant elements at death scenes.
• Must be able to safely lift 100 pounds from the floor to the waist level.
• Must pass the respiratory mask fit test.
• Must possess a driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and have an acceptable driving record.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history check in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules, to include a national fingerprint records check.
• Must be willing to work unscheduled 16-hour shifts. Requires on-call availability beyond assigned shifts.
• Must successfully complete basic incident management courses and participate in emergency response trainings as requested.
• Must adhere to Federal and State OSHA guidelines, including but not limited to timely completion of mandatory trainings.
• Must possess a driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and have an acceptable driving record. To view the current policy, please refer to the “Vehicles” section of this page: Administrative Policies | Washington County, OR

Selection Process

You can review our standard selection process here .

Our commitment to you

Washington County is an equal opportunity employer committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on knowledge, skills, and abilities. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We promote employee development and offer an award-winning benefits and wellness program as well as an opportunity to serve and support our vibrant community .

Veterans' Preference

If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review the instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points .

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or email: Careers@WashingtonCountyOR.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Status of Your Application

You will be advised by email of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email.

Notice: Washington County is currently undergoing a comprehensive classification and compensation study. The purpose of this project is to create new job descriptions and create new classification and compensation systems. Outcomes of the project will include changes to classification titles, which could impact compensation structures. No one will have their pay rate lowered because of this project. For represented positions, appropriate bargaining processes will be utilized prior to implementation.

Questions?

Recruiter

Yeji Seo

Email Address

[email hidden]