Salary: $32.41 - $46.74 Hourly
Location : State Street Building - 1500 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Department: Medical Examiner's Office
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
SummaryWhatcom County is recruiting for the position of
Medicolegal Death Investigator I. This position is primarily responsible for investigating deaths that come under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office.
Essential Job Duties- Receives notification of deaths, determines jurisdiction within the Medical Examiner's Office standard guidelines.
- Responds to investigate death; photographs the scene and decedent; conducts visual inspection of the decedent and makes notes of the condition of the body; collects and reviews medical records and demographic information that is pertinent to cause and manner of death.
- Gathers, secures and transports human remains; collects, preserves and transports evidence relevant to the cause and manner of death from death scenes and autopsies.
- Locates and notifies next-of-kin; collects, secures and releases personal property to next-of-kin; releases human remains to funeral homes. Transfers evidence via chain-of-custody to law enforcement agencies.
- Writes complete, accurate and comprehensive statements of investigation, describing the scene and circumstances of death to assist the Medical Examiner in the determination of cause and manner of death.
- Answers phones, performs data entry and routine office functions, maintains logs and records of work performed, works with bereaved families with respect and compassion, provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public and co-workers.
- May be required to provide testimony in court.
- Sets up in advance of autopsies, prepares room, selects instruments, sets up scale and specimen containers; after autopsy cleans room, instruments, equipment and containers.
- Prepares decedents for autopsy, including obtaining weights and measurements, fingerprints, photographs and radiographs.
- Assists with examinations as assigned, including but not limited to performing eviscerations, collecting and preserving toxicology samples and evidence, maintains detailed records, sutures and cleans body for release.
For more information, please review: Job description for Medicolegal Death Investigator I
Salary Range: - $32.41 - 46.74 per hour,
- When there are 4 or 5 Medicolegal Death Investigators, additional premium pay may be provided for on-call rotation, ,$33.49 - $47.81 per hour.
- When there are 3 or fewer Medicolegal Death Investigators,additional premium pay may be provided for on-call rotation,,$34.56 - $49.00per hour.
Hiring rate depends on qualifications. This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). We are required by State Law to list the full salary range. As a public entity, we are required to make pay decisions based on experience, qualifications, and equity with other employees. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range, subject to required approvals.
This position is open until filled. Qualifications - Bachelor's degree with coursework in biology, anatomy, and/or or physiology.
- 3 years of experience working as an autopsy technician, or in death investigations, or work that is directly related to conducting medicolegal investigations for a medical examiner or coroner's office.
OR
- Associate's degree with course work in biology, anatomy, and/or physiology.
- 4 years related experience as specified above.
Additional requirements:
- Knowledge and experience with digital photography required.
- Certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) preferred at time of hire; required within two (2) years of hire date.
At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.
Special Requirements:- Driving record that meets County standards.
- Possess a valid driver's license at time of hire and throughout employment.
- Must be eligible to cross the border between the United States and Canada at time of hire and throughout employment.
- Background check must meet County criteria for security sensitive position.
- Must pass job-related tests.
Supplemental InformationWhatcom County offers at
no cost to employees, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family
- Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays per year
- Eligibility for a lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
- $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
- Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for annual health care and/or dependent care expenses
- Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
- (EAP)
- Additional
Whatcom County offers at
no cost to employees, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees AND their family
- Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays per year
- Eligibility for a lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County
- $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees
- Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for annual health care and/or dependent care expenses
- Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance
- (EAP)
- Additional
01
Based on your education and experience, which of the following combinations do you meet?
- Bachelor's degree with coursework in biology, anatomy, and/or or physiology AND 3+ years of experience working as an autopsy technician, or in death investigations, or work that is directly related to conducting medicolegal investigations for a medical examiner or coroner's office.
- Associate's degree with coursework in in biology, anatomy, and/or or physiology AND 4+ years of experience working as an autopsy technician, or in death investigations, or work that is directly related to conducting medicolegal investigations for a medical examiner or coroner's office.
- I do not meet either combination
02
Do you have knowledge and experience with digital photography sufficient for photographing death scenes and decedents?
03
Please describe your knowledge and experience with digital photography sufficient for photographing death scenes and decedents.
04
This position is not a typical office job. It requires the ability to deal with death and human remains in various stages of decomposition, disease, and trauma; handle the psychological effects of death; communicate sensitively with families and associates of the deceased; assist in autopsies; maneuver and transport human cadavers with assistance; and perform duties outside of normal office hours.Do you acknowledge and accept these working conditions?
05
Do you have Certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)?
06
This position requires the ability to travel to Canada and cross the U.S. - Canada border. Are you currently authorized and able to lawfully cross the U.S. - Canadian border?Canadian officials prohibit entrance into Canada for various reasons, including having been convicted of a crime or convicted of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Required Question
