Supervising Medical Examiner Investigator

This recruitment is being conducted to fill one full-time vacancy in the San Joaquin County Office of the Medical Examiner and to establish an eligible list which may be used to fill future vacancies.

The following incentives and bonuses may be available for eligible new hires. Incentives and bonuses are subject to approval by Human Resources:

• Vacation Accrual Rate: San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidate's total years of public service. 

• Sick Leave: Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours (up to 160 hours) from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin County's minimum sick leave cash out provisions.

• New Hire Retention Bonus:

$2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2,080 hours)

$1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6,240 hours)

$3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12,480 hours)

 

• Performs full-scope supervision to include planning, reviewing, and directing the work of staff responsible for conducting death investigations.

• Assigns cases and provides technical and procedural guidance in the field and office regarding problems that develop during investigations.

• Trains and coordinates training for subordinates in regard to investigative standards, methods and techniques, and departmental policies and procedures.

• Reviews and monitors reports and records of investigative findings and on-going cases for accuracy and completeness; reviews and signs death certificates, amendments, and related documents.

• Personally performs death investigations; prepares investigative, analytical, and statistical reports and correspondence.

• Communicates and coordinates with other departments and agencies, service providers and involved parties as required; provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public; acts as community liaison on behalf of the Medical Examiner’s Office.

• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; remains abreast of current regulations and best practices regarding death investigations; ensures appropriate resources are available to the work unit as needed.

• Assists in the development and administration of the department budget; submits budget recommendations; and monitors expenditures for the unit.

Principles of supervision and training; the organization and function of the Medical Examiner’s Office; criminal investigative principles and techniques; rules of evidence and court procedures; toxicology, physiology, anatomy, medical terminology and pathology of death; methods to preserve and safeguard evidence; office computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and email software; legal provisions regarding death investigation in California; and department policy and procedures.

Plan, organize, direct, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of staff performing work related to death investigations; independently perform skilled investigations, including the most difficult and specialized work; work closely with physicians when investigating cause, manner, and circumstance of unattended or traumatic death; read and understand medical charts; deal tactfully with persons especially under emergency and emotional situations; exercise appropriate judgment in communications and release of information; establish and maintain effective working relationships; write and type accurate and comprehensive reports on the findings of an investigation; gather and evaluate evidence; demonstrate effective interpersonal and communication skills; work alone and independently without direct supervision in unpleasant or stressful conditions; effective oral and written communications.

Mobility – frequent operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting, standing, walking for extended periods; driving; frequent pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing. Lifting - frequently 5 to 75lbs; occasional lifting/turning of heavy objects or people; Visual - constant good overall vision, reading/close-up work; color perception and use eye/hand coordination; frequent use of depth perception and field/peripheral vision; Dexterity - frequent reaching; grasping; repetitive motion; writing; Hearing/Talking - frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone/radio, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological – constant decision making, concentration, and public contact; public speaking; frequent working alone; occasional exposure to trauma, grief, death, and hazardous materials; Special Requirements – wear assigned safety equipment; may work different shifts, weekends, holidays, nights, and/or extended hours; Environmental – frequent exposure to noise and varied weather conditions; frequent exposure to unpleasant conditions, such as decomposed bodies, bodies with extensive physical injuries, and other similar conditions.

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.

Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to Equal Employment Opportunity Division (sjgov.org).

Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021. 

For current benefits options, please visit the HR Benefits page - Click here.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

• Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format.  If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
• Oral Exam:   The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise.   The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview.   A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list.  Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews.  If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list. 
  
• Written & Oral Exam:  If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
  
• Rate-out:  A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process. 

 Note:  The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.   

Veteran’s Points:  Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service.  Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration.  Note:  A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

Acceptable wartime service dates:

• September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946

• June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

• August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975

• Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Eligible Lists:   Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.  Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.

Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

• Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews.  The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher.  When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
• Rule of Five:  The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews.  This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.
• Rule of the List: For classifications designated by the Director of Human Resources, the entire eligible list will be referred to the department.

Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

• They are related to the Appointing Authority or

• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

 

Apply Online:       

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:  

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202                                  

 

Office hours:               
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

 

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.