Forensic Transport & Dispatch Technician

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location 

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

13179

Department

Institute of Forensic Sciences

Division

Investigations

Opening Date

07/10/2024

Closing Date

9/10/2024 11:59 PM Central

Max Number of Applicants

150

• DESCRIPTION
• BENEFITS
• QUESTIONS

Position Description

Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief Overview:

The Forensic Transport & Dispatch Technician responds to medicolegal death scenes, healthcare facilities, and residences throughout Harris County to assist in the investigation and transport of human remains to the Department; processes decedents upon their arrival to the morgue; and triages incoming notification of death calls to dispatch the appropriate response and resources needed.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responds and drives transport vehicle to identified death scenes, healthcare facilities, and residences throughout Harris County to assist in the investigation and transport human remains to the Department. Takes scene photographs. Inventories decedent personal property. Picks up scene photos, surveillance, body cam footage, hospital / healthcare records, and other documents when needed.
• Checks in decedents upon arrival to morgue. Takes digital fingerprints of decedents and follows-up with identification as necessary, ensuring decedents are properly identified upon arrival (including rebrading of decedents when needed). Performs inventory of decedent prescription medications obtained from scene, healthcare facility, or residence. Performs x-rays on decedents as requested.
• Answers main Forensic Investigations Division phone line as needed and triages phone calls and notification of death calls; assists funeral homes with death certificate information; completes death inquests; coordinates with organ procurement agencies
• Other Duties as assigned: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are requested of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
  https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
 If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email [email protected].
 
 This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Associate degree from an accredited college or university
  • Academic transcript required at the time of application

Licensure:

• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication skills with effective organization and time management skills
• Ability to understand and follow instructions; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office
• Natural ambulation and manual dexterity skills due to the essential physical demands of continually manipulating bodies as part of the investigation process and loading / unloading bodies for transport

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Biological Sciences, or related field

Experience:

• Previous employment within a morgue or investigation setting.

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time
• Variable shifts to include nights, weekends, and holidays
• Hours may vary based on needs of Department
• Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies

Work Environment:

• Office / field / morgue setting
• Routine exposure to deaths of adults and children that resulted from violence, natural disease, environmental hazards, and toxins
• Work involves exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises
• May come into contact with blood and/or bloodborne pathogens

Physical Demands:

• Heavy work. 
• Requires physical strength to lift up to 200 pounds; ability to climb stairs, including industrial and commercial structures; ability to board ships; and spend whatever time necessary on one’s feet to investigate and recover human remains.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
 
 Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.