OCME Planning & Research Associate I

Location: Augusta, ME,None,None

OCME Planning & Research Associate I  
Office of Chief Medical Examiner

Opening Date:  January 10, 2025  
Closing Date:  January 27, 2025   
Job Class Code: 0030
Grade:  20
Salary:  $43,014.40 - $60,070.40/year
Bargaining Unit:  Pro-Tech 
Position # 006200350

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is a relatively small agency (12 full-time people) under the administrative umbrella of the Office of the Attorney General and is unique with its varied and complex mission that is concerned with all aspects of death and final dispositions of deceased bodies.  The office daily processes the details surrounding the deaths of individuals by collecting histories, scene photos, suicide notes and many personal effects, often under less-than-ideal circumstances.  All employees of OCME must be able to function under conditions that are often psychologically extreme. The post-mortem states of bodies may often be offensive to one’s physical or emotional senses. 
Office of the Attorney General
Office of Chief Medical Examiner 

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

This position is designated as OCME Administrative Support Staff and will perform clerical work to assist the Chief Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, and field Medical Examiners in the investigations of deaths under OCME jurisdiction. Work hours are 7:30am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

The position is responsible for obtaining all pertinent information including demographics, location, and pertinent circumstances when a death is reported by phone, then assess all information and circumstances to assist with the determination of jurisdiction and all aspects of the administrative investigative process. The daily office duties of this position include responsibility for all aspects of clerical case processing, which include accessing and filing electronic photographs of all Medical Examiner cases.  There are no laboratory or body processing duties associated with this position.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:

•    Greet visitors and assist accordingly.
•    Answer the main phone line and respond promptly to email requests and inquiries.
•    Prepare morning meeting materials with timeliness and accuracy.
•    Gather all pertinent information regarding a reported death. Including but not limited to: name, date of birth, home address, circumstances of death, medical history, and next of kin contact information).
•    Consult with the Chief Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief, or Medicolegal Death Investigator on reported deaths to determine a case category (autopsy, examination, paper review, release, etc.)
•    Communicate with certifying physicians or hospital personnel to discuss decedent medical information and obtain records or laboratory samples.
•    Assist outside professionals with appropriate wording for certification of cause and manner of death.
•    Select and dispatch appropriate field personnel to investigate medical examiner cases.
•    Determine what other official documents, reports, or investigative records are needed for cases. 
•    Talk with grieving family about autopsy findings, answer questions, and follow up on any family needs. 
•    Document, and bill funeral homes for Release of Human Remains permits monthly. 
•    Act as a liaison between the OCME and police departments or funeral homes.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

•    Knowledge of basic human anatomy, physiology, and pathology, and medical terminology
•    Ability to read and interpret law enforcement and medical records
•    Ability to read and interpret medical examiner reports and toxicology findings and convey that information to surviving family members
•    Ability to process and document graphic case details and photographs
•    Ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with distraught family members
•    Ability to communicate tactfully and efficiently with the internal and external personnel to establish and maintain effective working relationships
•    Ability to effectively resolve case-specific problems through troubleshooting
•    Ability to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making quick decisions
•    Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and integrate work objectives among several projects and operational units while maintaining timelines and schedules (i.e., multitask)
•    Ability to be available 24/7 in the event of a mass disaster, state emergency, or office crisis 
•    Ability to multi-task and work well with others, especially when covering for co-workers’ absences

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

A six (6) year combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience providing knowledge of the principles of research and planning. 

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