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OCME Planning & Research Associate I

Augusta , Maine , United States | Office of Chief Medical Examiner | Full-time

Apply by: June 16, 2025

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OCME Planning & Research Associate I

Office of Chief Medical Examiner

Opening Date: June 2, 2025

Closing Date: June 16, 2025

Job Class Code: 0030

Grade: 20

Salary: $43,014.40 - $60,070.40

Bargaining Unit: Pro-Tech

Position # 006200027

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is a relatively small agency (12 full-time people) under the administrative umbrella of the Department 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 the 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.

Information on the Office of the Attorney General (http://www.maine.gov/ag/)

Information on the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (https://www.maine.gov/ag/crime/chief\_medical\_examiner.shtml)

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.

Work is performed under limited supervision and may be emotionally or psychologically stressful at times.

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, but are not limited to: answering the phone and assisting callers as necessary, responding to emails, requesting and reviewing medical records, reviewing case details for accuracy, and accessing and filing electronic photographs of all Medical Examiner cases. There are no laboratory or body processing duties associated with this position.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:

• 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.

• Make determinations for a case category: autopsy, examination, paper review, jurisdiction declined or released back to primary care physician.

• Decide when notification to the Chief or Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Medicolegal Death Investigators, Administrator, field Medical Examiners, Attorney General Investigators, police personnel, and others is necessary for priority cases and immediate actions.

• Decide whether a body needs to be brought to the OCME for autopsy and arrange timely transportation.

• Decide what further information is needed from reporting law enforcement agencies, hospitals, or primary care physicians for a case determination.

• Assist outside certifying physicians with appropriate wording for a cause and manner of death to list on death certificates submitted for cremation release.

• Select and dispatch appropriate field Medical Examiners to investigate medical examiner cases.

• Determine what official documents, reports, or medical records are needed for case investigation and obtain them.

• Discuss reported deaths with outside certifying physicians or hospital personnel to discuss decedent medical information and obtain laboratory samples.

• Talk with grieving families about autopsy findings, answer their questions, and follow up as needed.

• 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

• Knowledge of basic law enforcement investigative techniques and resources

• 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 keep sensitive information confidential to ensure proper respect for privacy

• Ability to request medical records, as needed, from various medical providers

• Ability to effectively resolve case-specific problems through troubleshooting

• Ability to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making quick decisions

• Ability to assist the Chief Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner and Administrator upon request with special assignments

• 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 crises

• Ability to multi-task, 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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

If you are interested in applying for this position, prepare a cover letter highlighting your experience and qualifications that you believe will make you a strong candidate. Please include examples of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities described above.

Include resume, the names and contact information of three references including at least one work related reference, and complete the online direct hire application.

The Department is not responsible for late receipt of applications due to mail service, faxing malfunctions or electronic transmission malfunctions.

Please direct all questions via email to Lindsey Chasteen ([email protected]) , OCME Office Administrator or at 207-624-7188.

BENEFITS:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

+ Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays , 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

+ Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28 - $12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

+ Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements .

+ Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).

+ Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 13.29 % of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.

+ Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.

+ Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.

+ Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office .

+ Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.

+ Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave . Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act .

+ Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

+ Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness .

Maine State Government and the Office of the Attorney General is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.