The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.

To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.

To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

• Assists with routine daily casework under the supervision of staff anthropologists involving skeletal remains and autopsy specimens, including: trauma analyses, determination if skeletal remains are human or non-human, determination if skeletal remains are of forensic or historical significance, development of biological profiles of human remains, and assessment of human remains for the presence of pathological conditions or traumatic injury
• Prepares reports on anthropological casework, and submits reports and bench notes to supervising forensic anthropologist for review
• Assists in the processing of unidentified decedents including taking identification quality radiographs, collecting and submitting DNA samples, submitting fingerprint cards, constructing and disseminating unidentified decedent descriptions, and reviewing unidentified decedent case files for completion
• Responds to death scenes with staff anthropologists to document, recover, and identify human/non-human remains, collects and preserves physical and biological evidence, excavates or supervises excavation of human remains
• Other duties as assigned.
  • This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.
  • Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Education:

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and randomly after employment)
• Must provide a DNA sample to be maintained by the Forensic Genetics Laboratory for quality assurance purposes.

• Advanced knowledge and in-depth understanding of anthropological theory, principles, procedures, and techniques as they relate to the identification of human remains and bone pathology/ trauma analysis
• Ability to apply knowledge of anthropological and forensic theory, principles, procedures, and techniques to practical analysis and curation of human remains
• Advanced writing, analytical, and problem-resolution skills
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office
• Ability to communicate effectively with law, technical, medical, and legal audiences.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full time | Regular
• This is a one-year, time-limited position
• Hours may vary based on needs of Department, weekend and holiday rotation as needed

• Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies if necessary

• Requires physical strength to push, pull, and lift up to 30 pounds frequently and repeatedly

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan