Coroner's Officer

Coroner's Officer

Fixed Term, Full Time

Up to £31,067 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Please note this is a fixed term contract opportunity for a period of 2 years.

This is an Anywhere Worker position, successful candidates will be expected to work from County Hall, Chelmsford 1 to 2 days per week. Candidates will be required to attend the office 5 days a week during the training period for this role.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Coroners' Officers to join our team on an up to 2-year fixed term basis, to represent the interests of HM Coroner for Essex by providing an investigative service and assisting in the execution of the Coroner's legal and public protection duties, in accordance with the Coroners Justice Act 2009.

With demonstrable relevant experience, you will receive information of sudden, violent, suspicious, or unnatural deaths for which no death certificate has been issued. You will assess, analyse, and make recommendations to the Coroner as to the appropriate action in accordance with the Coroners & Justice Act 2009 and the Coroners (Amendment) Rules 2004 as well as represent the interests of HM Coroner for Essex by providing an investigative service and assisting in the execution of the Coroner's legal and public protection duties, in accordance with the Coroners & Justice Act 2009.

Possessing the ability to deal with a wide range of audiences including Consultants, GPs, Pathologists and legal representatives with discretion and judgement and experience of communicating with bereaved families. The role requires excellent organisational skills and experience of working across boundaries in close liaison with other agencies.

Accountabilities

• Responsible for investigating causes of death by obtaining written statements and collating and assembling evidence from police officers, medics, health and safety inspectors and other authorities.
• Responsible for arranging removal of a body, following the Coroner's procedure, arrange for identification of the deceased and ensure that the property of the deceased is handled appropriately. Establishing contact with relatives of the deceased and their representatives, to keep them informed of procedures and progress.
• Responsible for arranging and attending post mortems, obtaining details of medical history, hospital notes, doctor's notes and any other relevant material to prepare relevant paperwork and ensure release of a body to the appropriate party at the earliest possible time.
• Work closely with the Coroner to organise, supervise and attend inquests, giving evidence, acting as usher and administrating all oaths and attestations to ensure all parties understand fully the process. Ensure the security of the witnesses and jury.
• Represent HM Coroner at the scene of major incidents/multiple fatalities to.
• Participate in and support contingency planning and testing to support the Council's and Coroner's services in the event of an emergency to maintain business continuity.
• Responsible for ensuring deaths involving UK citizens abroad are investigated correctly when a body arrives within the Coroner's jurisdiction.
• Deliver training and guidance on the work of the Coroner's Service to health service workers and other organisations.
• Work collaboratively with the British Museum and other interested parties on the reporting of Treasure.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF level 5 (Foundation Degree) or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal with a wide range of audiences including Consultants, GPs, Pathologists and legal representatives with discretion and judgement.
• Excellent organisational skills with experience of working across boundaries in close liaison with other agencies and under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral, including the ability to deal with distressed bereaved families.
• Good computer literacy and keyboard skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Excellent team working skills and the ability to successfully achieve team goals.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Why Essex?

Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England's oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest - Basildon and Harlow - are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here .

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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