Bereavement Coordinator/Deputy

About the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center:

• The Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center (LCCO&FC) operates in a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week environment and is responsible for investigating deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroner's Office and determining the cause and manner of death.
• The LCCO&FC investigates deaths including, but not limited to, those resulting from homicide, suicide, accidents, deaths occurring in police custody, sudden and unexpected infant deaths, and other deaths that are sudden, unusual, suspicious, or otherwise fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroner.

Position Summary:

• The Bereavement Coordinator provides compassionate, professional support and assistance to the families of deceased individuals whose deaths fall under the jurisdiction of the LCCO&FC.
• The coordinator serves as an important liaison between families, the Coroner's Office, funeral homes, government agencies, community organizations, and other resources. The position assists families in understanding the medicolegal death investigation process while helping address practical needs associated with death, grief, bereavement, and final disposition.
• The Bereavement Coordinator may also assist in developing educational programs, informational materials, and community resources related to grief, loss, bereavement, and the services provided by the LCCO&FC.

Essential Duties & Summaries:

• Provide families with information regarding the LCCO&FC, the medicolegal death investigation process, and matters concerning their deceased loved one as soon as reasonably possible following the death.
• Serve as a compassionate point of contact for grieving families and assist them in navigating questions and concerns related to the Coroner's Office investigation.
• Communicate with family members following an autopsy or other examination to facilitate the relay of appropriate information regarding the investigation, as directed by the Coroner or designated staff.
• Assist with locating and identifying legal next of kin.
• Contact family members regarding a decedent's death and determine whether family members are willing and able to assume responsibility for funeral, burial, cremation, or other final arrangements.
• Assist families and the office with burial, interment, cremation, or other final disposition arrangements involving indigent or unclaimed decedents.
• Coordinate and prepare indigent and unclaimed decedents for the County cremation process in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Verify a decedent's veteran status through the appropriate Veterans Affairs agency and assist in determining eligibility for available veteran burial or related benefits.
• Assist in determining eligibility for anatomical donation programs and communicate with appropriate anatomical gift organizations when necessary.
• Provide information and resources to the families of individuals who died as a result of violent or criminal circumstances.
• Assist eligible families with information regarding Pennsylvania crime victim services and crime victim compensation programs.
• Communicate and coordinate with attorneys, courts, probate offices, funeral homes, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, and other organizations regarding next-of-kin and disposition matters.
• Work with appropriate legal authorities when it appears that a decedent has no identifiable or legally recognized next of kin.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation regarding family contacts, next-of-kin searches, disposition arrangements, referrals, and other assigned activities.
• Develop or assist with educational information and resources for families concerning grief, loss, coping, bereavement, and the medicolegal death investigation process.
• Maintain professionalism, compassion, sensitivity, and confidentiality when dealing with families experiencing sudden, unexpected, traumatic, or violent deaths.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Coroner and designated command staff.

Education, Experience & Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience or education in social work, psychology, counseling, behavioral health, victim services, grief counseling, bereavement services, funeral services, healthcare, or a related field is preferred.
• Ability to successfully complete all required criminal background checks and employment screening requirements.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate compassionately and professionally with individuals experiencing grief, trauma, emotional distress, or crisis.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive medical, investigative, and personal information.
• Knowledge of administrative, clerical, documentation, and records-management practices commonly used in governmental, judicial, medical, or similar professional environments.
• Proficiency in computers, word-processing programs, electronic records systems, copying/scanning equipment, telephones, and other office equipment required to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, county personnel, law enforcement agencies, funeral homes, hospitals, municipal officials, courts, community organizations, and members of the public.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and appropriately respond to time-sensitive situations.
• Ability to work effectively with families and other individuals during emergencies and emotionally difficult circumstances.

Work Experience:

• This position operates within a medicolegal death investigation environment. The employee may routinely encounter grieving families, traumatic circumstances, sensitive investigative information, and situations involving sudden, unexpected, violent, or suspicious deaths.
• The successful candidate must be able to maintain professionalism, emotional composure, confidentiality, compassion, and sound judgment while representing the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center.