Medicolegal Death Investigator - Temporary

Medicolegal Death Investigator - Temporary

Salary

$36.36 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Extra Hire

Job Number

26-00605

Department

Medical Examiner

Division

Medical Examiner-Operations

Opening Date

05/15/2026

Closing Date

5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

• This temporary position is not eligible for County benefits.
• This is an on-site position and does not have remote work options.
• This position will be up to 40 hours per week for up to 5 months of employment.

Summary

Why Its a Great Opportunity:

This is a rare opportunity to work as a Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) temporary (Extra-Hire) in the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO). You may be responsible for receiving reports of death, determining statutory jurisdiction, and performing scene investigations. You will be assisting MDI staff with phone calls, follow-up, taking reports of death, and gathering information to perform thorough, consistent, and impartial, medicolegal death investigations.

Why Its a Great Department:

We serve the living through professional death investigations and forensic postmortem examinations, up to and including autopsy. We work together both within and across teams to provide forensic pathology and death investigation services that are timely, accurate, thorough, and independent from outside influences. You will assist this close-knit staff that performs a critical role for Pierce County.

PCMEO is a stand-alone, secure forensic autopsy facility accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). The office currently has a Lodox full-body radiography machine and is undergoing a facility improvement to incorporate advanced imaging computed tomography (CT) into the daily workflow. PCMEO is a modern, moderate-volume, well-equipped four-autopsy station facility with four full-time forensic pathologists, including the Chief Medical Examiner. The office is at the forefront of applying advanced imaging technology and electronic case management systems to streamline workflows and optimize efficiency. A facility renovation project is underway and designed with an eye toward future growth. Your office is fully equipped with modern technology and furnishings. Parking is secure, free, and on-site.

For more information about our great organization, please visit by clicking here.

How to be Successful in the Role:

We are looking for individuals with forensic science knowledge and experience in medicolegal death investigations who are motivated, detail-oriented, and bring a positive approach. Successful candidates will uphold professionalism, discretion, and respect for our mission. You should be able to prioritize tasks, collaborate effectively, manage stress, and demonstrate compassion within a death investigation setting. Strong communication skills are vital for interacting with law enforcement, medical professionals, families, and others.

Your Future in this Role:

You will be trained by and will be helping a team of skilled and knowledgeable medicolegal death investigators. You will be given a great deal of responsibility for managing the caseload and making independent decisions.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Answer telephones to receive reports of deaths.
• Perform case follow-up and search for next-of-kin.
• Analyze information to make preliminary determinations concerning medical examiner jurisdiction in accordance with RCW 68.50.010.
• If assigned, examine death scenes and decedents and confer with appropriate parties, which include witnesses, family, friends, co-workers, law enforcement officials, and medical/health care personnel to gather information about deaths and ascertain circumstances, medical history, and probable cause of death.
• If assigned, take photographs, prepare diagrams, and describe death scenes.
• If assigned, transport human remains and associated physical evidence.
• Write complete and comprehensive statements/reports of investigation and other reports to support the establishment of cause and manner of death.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience and education may substitute for the recruiting requirements
• Education and/or training equivalent to two years of college, community college, university, law enforcement, or military in the fields of nursing, natural science, forensic science, paramedical, or criminal justice
• Possession of a valid Washington State drivers license is required
• Please attach a copy of your cover letter and resume. Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in death investigation
• A four-year degree in a natural sciences discipline or a death investigation or health sciences-related field (e.g., nursing, forensic science, or criminal justice) is highly desirable

Special Requirements:

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and follow State driving laws
• An employee in this position is subject to 24-hour availability and must be willing to work non-standard hours, as required

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process, or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the Countys needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County place people are proud to call home?

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Our benefits:

Sick Leave

Extra hires are eligible to receive sick leave in accordance with the WA State Minimum Wage Act. Extra hires are not eligible for other County benefits.

Social Security

All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Pro-tem Judges in District Court, Pro-tem Superior Court Commissioners, Extra Hires with Retirement, and Work Study Students with Retirement are eligible for Retirement and Deferred Compensation and Social Security.

Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washingtons Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment may be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

ORCA Passport Program

Pierce County employees may participate in the Countys ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.

To participate once hired the employee will need to contact the Planning and Public Works Commute team.

01

How many years of education and/or training in the fields of nursing, natural science, forensic science, paramedical or criminal justice do you have?

• None
• Some to less than 1 years
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 10 years
• More than 10 years

02

Have you attached a cover letter and resume? Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application.

• Yes
• No

03

Are you willing to work weekends, holidays or other irregular hours?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Pierce County

Address Pierce County Human Resources

1501 Market Street, Suite 410

Tacoma, Washington, 98402

Phone (253) 798-7480

For Sheriffs Office positions: 253-798-6250

Website http://www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs