Communications Representative

About the role

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person. Our core purpose is to protect public health and serve impartial justice through forensic science and medicine. We exist to provide answers in support of families and communities during times of profound need. The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve:

• Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
• Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
• Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
• Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
• Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Communications and specifically under the supervision of a Communications Lead Supervisor, the incumbent will facilitate communication between OCME Forensic Operations personnel and relevant stakeholders reporting deaths to the OCME. Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Answer telephones and obtain vital information from law enforcement agencies, various medical facilities, funeral homes, hospital nursing homes, and the public.
• Learn to accurately enter data into OCME's “Case Intake” computerized database system.
• Learn to notify Medicolegal Investigators of their assigned cases and all pertinent information necessary to investigate that case.
• Train in providing all pertinent information necessary to the Medical Examiner Transport Team to recover assigned cases.
• Provide all pertinent information necessary to agency staff to support high profile and/or emergency operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Schedule

This operation is 24/7/365. You may be scheduled to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Selected candidates will most likely be scheduled for the 4pm to 12am and 12am to 8am shifts.

Requirements

• There are no formal education or experience requirements for this position.
• Ability to understand and carry out simple instructions is required.
• Candidates must be able to understand and be understood in English.
• Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.
• This position has been identified as essential. During emergency events, essential positions may require 24-hour availability.
• Authorization to work in the United States is required. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas.
• New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.

Preferred Skills

• Customer service experience
• Data entry experience

Benefits

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.