Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator

Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator

Washington County Health and Human Services Department is currently hiring for a Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator position at Medical Examiner's Office within Public Health Division.

The Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator plans, organizes, supervises, and coordinates the work of Medicolegal Death Investigators and assigned program and administrative staff. This position also conducts and supervises death investigations occurring under violent, questionable, or unexplained circumstances; prepares detailed reports related to the deceased person; and coordinates death-related activities with appropriate medical and law enforcement personnel.

The Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator serves as the lead ABMDI-certified investigator for the Medical Examiner's Office, providing expert-level casework, team leadership, and program oversight. This role requires exceptional investigative skills, professionalism, and consistent, positive engagement with staff, partner agencies, and the community.

• Perform full-duty medicolegal death investigations and set the standard for investigative excellence.
• Lead with enthusiasm, professionalism, and consistency to build trust and confidence within the team.
• Establish clear expectations, communicate effectively, and assign tasks based on staff strengths.
• Maintain accountability for team performance, program operations, and the quality of all case investigations.
• Provide training, mentoring, and skills development for new and current investigators to ensure advanced competency. Complete performance reviews on time and uphold all Medical Examiner's Office and county policies. Manage employee disciplinary discussions in accordance with county procedures.
• Be available for consultation during assigned work hours and assist with MEO phone coverage.
• Respond to inquiries timely and be engaged to all inquiries and meetings during scheduled shifts.
• Conduct monthly in-person meetings with direct reports, including agendas and documented notes.
• Review all investigations for completeness and accuracy and deliver constructive feedback.
• Ensure staff remain engaged and productive throughout each shift.
• Represent the Medical Examiner's Office at regional and national meetings, task forces, and department work groups.
• Maintain clear, timely communication with the supervisor and staff regarding all significant issues and important updates.
• Maintain strong visibility and collaborative relationships with partner agencies, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, and dispatch centers.
• Promote recognition of the MDI team within the department and support positive, solutions-focused change.

The Medicolegal Death Investigators (MDI) receive general administrative support from the Program Specialist and general program supervision from the Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator. These positions partner with the law enforcement offices, the District Attorney's Office, and the State Medical Examiner's Office by conducting death investigations. The MDIs act as the eyes and ears of the forensic pathologists while investigating the circumstances of deaths, providing the pathologist with the data and evidence to determine the cause and manner of death.

Due to the nature of the duties, the work is expected to be performed in-person only and is not eligible for remote work. Work locations may vary: primarily at Public Services Building, Hillsboro, OR, frequently travel to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Clackamas, OR, Regional hospitals, and death scenes within Washington County jurisdiction as needed.

• Effective communication skills and sound judgment.
• The ability to collaborate with families, medical personnel, and partner agencies are essential.
• Be initiative and have integrity, leadership skills, and emotional intelligence.
• Have 5 years of experience as an American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certified Chief MDI is highly desired.

• A Bachelor's Degree closely related to medicolegal death investigation, such as criminal justice,…