Job Opportunities in United States

JOB
Under the general direction of the Attorney General or designee, this position is responsible for conducting all official autopsies assigned, investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, and determining the cause of death within the territory. Plans, coordinates, and implements the operations and activities of the Medical Examiner's office across the territory. The incumbent also develops and defends the department’s budget.This position requires a confidential relationship to a policymaker.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Manages the operation of the Medical Examiner Division of the Department of Justice in the District of St. Thomas/St. John and the District of St. Croix.Receives and reviews notification of death from law enforcement agencies and health facilities.Supervises the employees in the offices of the Medical Examiner and oversees the contractors engaged therein.Conducts interviews with witnesses, law enforcement, medical personnel, and family members to gather information regarding personal history.Conducts onsite investigations to obtain data and information pertaining to a case, when needed.Prepares reports of findings to be given to law enforcement when needed to aid in any ongoing investigations.Conducts or assists with postmortem medical examinations as required to determine the cause, manner and circumstances surrounding the death.Investigates deaths as assigned and conducts investigations of deaths that result from criminal, suspicious, or undetermined causes.Researches, locates, and notifies next of kin. Coordinates the transportation of the cadaver to the funeral home.Provides assistance with obtaining antemortem records to make positive identification.Provides expert testimony in court proceedings to their findings and opinions at depositions and criminal trials as needed.Perform other related duties as required.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
FACTOR 1- KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITIONKnowledge in performing autopsies to determine cause of death.Knowledge of chain of custody in forensic cases.Knowledge of caseload investigations management.Knowledge of death scene investigations.Knowledge in the examination of specimens, tissues, organs, fluids, and blood to determine abnormalities that may have resulted in death.Skill in effective communication orally and written.Ability to respond at moment’s notice twenty-four (24) hours a day.Ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion.Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity.Ability to work effectively independently.Ability to maintain highly confidential and sensitive information.Ability to apply all applicable policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.FACTOR 2- SUPERVISORY CONTROLSWork is supervised by the Attorney General who gives general instructions and reviews work for compliance and adherence to established guidelines, policies and procedures, and standard regulations.FACTOR 3- GUIDELINESGuidelines include manuals on legal procedures as outlined for the USVI, the Virgin Islands Code, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Medical Examiner’s office.FACTOR 4- COMPLEXITYWork is sensitive in nature. It requires the incumbent to use judgment while performing the work related to determining the cause of death.FACTOR 5- SCOPE AND EFFECTThe purpose of this position is to work with cadavers from various scenes and perform procedures to determine the cause of death.FACTOR 6- PERSONAL CONTACTSContacts are with the cadaver upon arrival to scene to determine preliminary time of death, family members, emergency responders, and the Medical Examiner Office team.FACTOR 7- PURPOSE OF CONTACTSContacts are made to gather and supply information, perform autopsies, and communicate with family members of the deceased.FACTOR 8- PHYSICAL DEMANDSWork is physically demanding, requiring constant walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting and/or carrying weights of up to 300 pounds with assistance, and standing for extended periods of time.FACTOR 9- WORK ENVIRONMENTWork is primarily indoors in a facility that enables performance of job.