FORENSIC TECHNICIAN I

Position/Program Information


DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL EXAMINER-CORONER

EXAM NUMBER:
P4887E-R

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

Open Competitive Job Opportunity

FILING START DATE:
Applications will be accepted starting on October 17, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. (PT).

This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

REPOSTING INFORMATION:
This announcement is a reposting to reopen the filing period and update Additional Information.

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The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner investigates and determines the circumstances, manner and cause of all violent, sudden or unusual deaths occurring within the County.

Each year approximately 18,000 cases are reported to the Department, of which about half fall within its jurisdiction. The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner conducts about 5,700 autopsies per year, making it one of the largest coroner’s offices in the world. It has also become one of the most technologically advanced offices in the world, due to the complexity of cases investigated, including numerous high profile cases.

What you will do:

As a Forensic Technician I you will assist pathologists in performing autopsies at the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. This position requires incumbents to lift and move heavy equipment and decedents while preparing for, and assisting in, autopsies and other job-related duties.

Essential Job Functions

Prepares decedents for post-mortem examinations by removing specified decedent or specimen from crypt storage area and placing it on the autopsy table, verifying decedent's identity from a toe and ankle tag, setting up the necessary equipment instruments and solutions in order to ensure compliance with Federal and State laws, County ordinances, safety guidelines, and departmental policies.

Assists the pathologist in performing autopsies by opening the cranium, thoracic and abdominal cavities using tools; excising and dissecting organs and specimens using instruments; obtaining blood samples and other body fluids for toxicological examinations; recording weights of organs and body fluids; preparing specimens for cultures; filing pathologic specimens; suturing and cleaning bodies; and returning decedents to crypt storage area under close supervision.

Assists in performing minor laboratory work by preparing specimens for examination and assuming responsibilities for the proper storage of specimens.

Assists the pathologist in identifying, gathering, and properly storing physical evidence by maintaining a proper chain of custody to ensure the integrity of the collected evidence in compliance with the Federal and State rules regarding evidence collection, safety guidelines, and departmental policies and procedures.

Cleans and maintains the autopsy room, equipment, and tools by sterilizing instruments, removing soiled linens, stocking clean linens and other necessary supplies to ensure proper and safe functioning of the autopsy room and equipment.

Takes custody of the decedent's personal effects (e.g., money and valuables) by creating a written inventory of decedent's collected property in the presence of a witness, storing them at the Department or securing them at the death scene in order to safeguard or properly transfer the possession of said property to the decedent's next of kin.

Interacts with a variety of individuals to collaborate with other Coroner staff and law enforcement agencies and provide general information to families and members of the public in order to represent the Department in a professional, sensitive, and empathetic manner and facilitate communication and cooperation between the Department and interested parties.

Prepares a variety of written documents by compiling and organizing the necessary information and composing the text in a logical manner using appropriate computer software programs in order to facilitate accurate and effective communication, reporting, and record keeping within the Department.

Complies with all applicable health and safety standards by following the applicable guidelines and reporting defects or problems so they can be appropriately addressed or repaired in order to maintain a clean, safe, and professional work environment.

Provides testimony in judicial proceedings by conveying procedural and/or technical information related to procurement of evidence and/or property during the autopsy with professionalism and clarity in order to accurately represent the findings determined by the Department, as needed.

Requirements

We are looking for dedicated individuals who have either:

OPTION I:
One year* of experience handling, transporting, and preparing deceased persons for post-mortem examinations and subsequent release at the level of Forensic Attendant**.

OPTION II:
An Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree***, or higher, in Mortuary Science.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:
This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working on irregular surfaces; and occasionally requires extraordinary physical activity.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*One year is defined as full-time work of forty (40) hours per week for twelve (12) months for a total of 2080 hours or more. Performance of the required duties on a part-time basis will be prorated to equivalent full-time basis.
**Experience at the level of Forensic Attendant in the County of Los Angeles is defined as transporting and preparing decedents for post-mortem examinations and for release to mortuary subsequent to examination.

***In order to receive credit for an Associate's degree or higher, you MUST include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or an official letter from the accredited institution, which shows degree has been conferred with the area of specialization at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from application submission by either uploading the required documents as attachments or submitting via email to csears@hr.lacounty.gov . These documents should clearly indicate the degree received in the English language, the date when the degree was conferred, and should be in either Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or JPEG file format and must be less than 5.0 MB in size per document.

Please note if applicants do not submit a copy of their official diploma, transcript, or official letter from the accredited institution at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from submission of their application, their application will be considered as incomplete.

ENDORSEMENT OF COUNTY QUALIFICATIONS:
County employees who wish to meet the Option I requirements using out-of-class experience must provide official documentation such as additional responsibility bonus, out-of-class bonus, temporary assignment bonus, or reclassification study from CEO Classification with your application at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from application submission. Employees do not need to submit such verification if they hold or have held the Forensic Attendant position or a position deemed to be at equivalent level. Out-of-class duties should be accurately described in the application work history, and questionable experience will be verified through the departmental HR Manager when necessary.

WITHHOLD INFORMATION:
No withholds will be allowed for this examination. All required education or experience must be possessed at the time of filing.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

This examination will consist of a multiple choice and/or simulation assessment(s), weighted 100%, assessing:

• Achievement
• Responsibility
• Safety Orientation
• Teamwork
• Following Instructions
• Deductive Reasoning

MULTIPLE CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE LIST OF ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES.

Notices of Non-acceptance and Final Result Letters will be sent via E-mail. Multiple choice and simulation assessment scores cannot be given over the telephone.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Please add csears@hr.lacounty.gov, info@governmentjobs.com, talentcentral@shl.com, and donot-reply@amcatmail.com to your email address book and/or list of approved senders to prevent email notifications, including exam notices and invitations, from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

Los Angeles County will not accept claims of not receiving assessment invitations as a reason for a reschedule.

TRANSFER OF EXAM COMPONENTS:

• Applicants that have taken identical components recently for other exams will have their responses automatically transferred to this examination.
• This examination contains components that may be used in the future for new examinations and your responses may be transferred.

TEST PREPARATION:

Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides will help in preparing for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.

• An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/ . Please click on "Find A Job" and then "Job Search Toolkit". Test preparation information is located under the "Employment Test Assistance" section.
• You can also access test preparation for the computerized portion of the test by going to https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests/ .

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the list of eligible candidates in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of promulgation.

Applications will be processed on an as-received basis and promulgated to the list of eligible candidates accordingly.

VACANCY INFORMATION:

The list of eligible candidates resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT: Any

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION :

Applications must be filed online only. We must receive your application before 5:00 p.m., PT, on the last day of filing. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of 5:00 p.m. PT on the last day of filing as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

Important: Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made per Civil Service Rule 6.04. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from the Class Specification and requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD :

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

TESTING ACCOMMODATION:

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, that you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

SPECIAL INFORMATION

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.


Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment . The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077

Department Contact Name: Channon Sears

Department Contact Phone: (213) 351-2912

Department Contact Email: csears@hr.lacounty.gov

For detailed information, please click here

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• Los Angeles County

• (800) 970-5478

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