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.

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.

• 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.
  • This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.
  • Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

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.

Education:

Additional Requirements:

• 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, and 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.

Education:

• Previous experience (employment or internships) in a Medical Examiner's Office
• Previous experience (employment or internships) with Exposure to Human Remains

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• 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.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan