State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Supervising Special Investigator (Medical Examiner) (7768AR)

$47.70-$61.20 Hourly / $3,815.33-$4,895.68 BiWeekly /
$99,580.00-$127,777.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner this class is accountable for supervising the staff of a Medicolegal Death Investigation unit conducting investigations under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner and of sudden and unexpected deaths.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner or an employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises Lead Special Investigators (Medical Examiner), Special Investigators (Medical Examiner), Laboratory Assistants, and other staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Serves in a supervisory role within Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), working closely with agency leadership; 
  • Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of staff;
  • Provides staff training and assistance;
  • Conducts performance evaluations;
  • Determines priorities and plans unit work;
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
  • Develops or makes recommendations on development of policies, procedures and standards;
  • Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
  • Prepares reports and correspondence;
  • Supervises the coordination and oversight of all death investigations to aid the Medical Examiner in the determination of cause and manner of death in cases under the jurisdiction of the OCME;  
  • Supervises the work activities of Special Investigators and Laboratory Assistants which includes staff scheduling (investigations and telecommunications) and maintenance of adequate shift coverage for a 24/7/365 staff;   
  • Participates in interviewing for vacancies and trains new staff in the technique of death investigation;
  • Oversees, develops, and maintains investigation files and databases including unclaimed and unidentified remains;
  • Maintains relationships with funeral directors to facilitate cremation review processes;
  • Assists in the development and coordination of OCME response to mass fatality incidents;
  • Provides data for and attends various mortality review meetings as they pertain to particular state agencies / subgroups (examples include Developmental Services, Department of Transportation, Suicide Awareness);
  • Coordinates with information technology teams on Case Management / Electronic Medical Records systems for process improvements and interoperability;    
  • Supervises the Investigations Graduate Student Internship (for university credit) program, from application through to evaluation of interns;
  • Assists in statistical reporting on causes and manners of death, timeliness and accuracy;
  • Assists with accreditation reporting to the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME);
  • Oversees mileage reporting and fleet needs for state owned vehicles;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • investigatory methods and techniques; 
    • relevant agency policies and procedures;
    • relevant state laws and regulations;
  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to respond to mass fatality incidents;
    • photographic knowledge;
    • medical terminology;
  • Considerable skills
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
    • interviewing skills;
    • analytical skills as they relate to the forensic investigation process;
  • Ability to
    • train and teach staff; 
    • utilize computer software to compile data and run statistical reports; 
    • review medical records; 
    • operate laptop computer; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of investigatory experience in a medicolegal investigative agency, police or military setting involving sudden and/or unexplained deaths.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been at the working lead level.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Lead Special Investigator (Medical Examiner).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training in forensic science may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
  • A Master’s degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class will be required to travel statewide in response to scenes of death.
  • Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation (ABMDI) certification.
  • Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.  
  • Incumbents in this class will be required to be available to respond to agency inquiries while off-site / off-hours.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and facts stated in the application a thorough background investigation may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class will be exposed to disagreeable conditions, including odors and communicating with individuals in emotional situations and will be required to move and occasionally lift deceased human remains and occasionally collect samples of blood or body fluids or other evidence.  

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(14)-Inspection-Investigation

BARGAINING UNIT

(16)-ADMIN & RESID (P-5)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

AR 27

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

New job class. Item No. 26-040R2

EFFECTIVE DATE

06/26/2026
CLASS: 7768AR; EST: 6/26/2026; REV: 7/20/2026;