The salary for this position is: $5,675.00 - $7,548.00 monthly. Thurston County Coroner's Office is seeking an experienced, motivated, dependable candidate for the position of Lead Forensic Autopsy Technician. This is an exciting opportunity for those with autopsy technician experience seeking to lead a team working in a high-volume environment with excellent benefits. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: * Manage, process, and document incoming and outgoing human remains. * Prepare and oversee the preparation of the examination room for autopsies, including the selection of instruments and setting up scales and specimen containers; assist in clean-up of room, instruments, equipment, and containers. * Prepare bodies for autopsy; weigh and measure human remains; incise bodies; dissect and remove organs; take tissue and fluid samples from bodies and forward related information and samples to laboratories for further analysis; restore organs to the bodies; and suture and clean bodies. Assist forensic pathologists in the collecting and handling of trace, physical, and biological evidence and fingerprints. * Ensure proper handling, transfers, labeling, and storage of fluid specimens and histological specimens (tissues, tissue blocks, and tissue slides). * Perform computer data entry and retrieval; prepare and file medicolegal evidence and procedure forms and records; maintain records and data of work performed. * Clean and maintain work areas, including laundry and related activities; implement safety and biohazard control measures and recordkeeping. Maintain all morgue equipment, including daily calibrations of scales, temperature gauges, and other such equipment. Release bodies to funeral homes and other organizations. Document and transfer personal property and all types of evidence; assist pathologists in the removal, handling, and reconstruction of skeletal remains. Maintain chain of custody and release of evidence to law enforcement for all criminal cases, as well as proper packaging of different types of evidence. May provide testimony in court or other legal proceedings as needed. * Mix, handle, store, and dispose of chemicals; monitor chemical exposure gauges; maintain MSDS chemical information up to federal standards; operate and maintain x-ray equipment and associated digital records; take photographs of human remains; coordinate handling, storage, and transfer of photographs; maintain related records and files. Maintain inventory and order morgue supplies, equipment, tools, instruments, and other supplies. * Maintain regular and punctual attendance; perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position; meet any traveling requirements of the position. * Review, monitor, and schedule the work of assigned staff; provide day-to-day coaching and on-the-job training for work performance, work quality and efficiency; provide input to management for performance reviews. * May assist in development and implementation of policies and procedures. Essential Personnel: Positions in this classification may be considered essential personnel. Essential personnel are defined as staff who are required to report to their designated work location to ensure the operation of essential functions during an emergency or when the county has suspended operations. To view the full job classification, click here: Lead Forensic Autopsy Technician WORKING CONDITIONS: * Work Environment - Duties are mostly performed indoors in a laboratory/morgue environment or in an office. Physical demands include long hours of standing, carrying, walking, reaching, keyboarding, fine manipulation, talking, hearing, seeing, balancing, climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, crouching, dragging, pushing/pulling, and working long hours and occasional sitting and driving. Incumbents in this position are frequently exposed to loud noises, fumes, decomposed human remains, insects, and infectious diseases and occasionally exposed to extreme temperatures. Physical effort is required at the work location due to frequent very heavy lifting and moving of bodies. * Schedule - May work varying schedules, primarily Monday through Friday, but may need to work overtime as needed and very rarely may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. May be required to respond to various incidents outside regularly scheduled shifts. Employees in this classification are subject to 24-hour availability and must be willing to work non-standard hours as required. * Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to the local hospitals, to attend meetings, or participate in trainings. WHO WE ARE: Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person's talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES: * Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals' lifestyle. * Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information. * Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays. * Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences. * Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working. * Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan. * Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars. * Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Why you'll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington's South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer's markets, kids' activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com. Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. QUALIFICATIONS: * Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, law enforcement, health science, or related area which includes course work in anatomy and physiology. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis. * At least five (5) years of experience assisting with forensic autopsies and/or pathology laboratory work including advanced photography, x-ray, and digital imaging. * Valid Washington State Driver's License or have an appropriate accommodation. * Required to successfully pass a background investigation. DESIRED SKILLS: * Graduation from an accredited pathology assistant program. Training at a facility with a high case volume. * Two (2) years of experience supervising or leading subordinate pathology staff. OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION: Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Traci McCullah email: [email protected] This position is: * Not represented by a Union * Eligible for benefits * Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Items requested for consideration: * Application * Resume * Letter of Interest Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement. THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County's Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.