Coroner's Officer

Coroner's Officer

Fixed Term, Full Time

£30,404 up to £35,769

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date:21st October 2026

Please note this is a fixed term contract opportunity for a period of 1 year

The successful candidate will be expected to work from SEAX House, Chelmsford 1 to 2 days per week. While training individuals will be required to attend the office daily.

The Opportunity

Essex Coroners Service supports four full time Coroners in statutory duties as independent judiciary investigating the unnatural deaths across greater Essex. The service has 5,500 referrals per year and holds over 1,000 inquests a year.

We are currently seeking a Coroner Officer to join our team our day-to-day team. The Coroners Officer will be responsible for supporting the early information gathering, preparing report for Coroner decision. The officer will need to keep the family informed about process of investigation, whilst gathering evidence from external parties including pathologists, NHS, GPs, Police. They will follow Coroner instructions in completing the investigation, for the Coroner to determine if the death was natural causes or requires an inquest.

Demonstrating excellent customer service and interpersonal skills the successful candidate will be able to build strong relationship with families throughout the Coronial process as they deal with bereavement. They will be able to manage a wide range of stakeholders, influence and chasing evidence ensuring that cases can be progressed in a timely manner.

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.
• Responsible for establishing contact with relatives of the deceased and their representatives, to keep them informed of procedures and progress.
• Responsible for arranging and 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.
• 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.
• Support the upskilling health service workers and other organisations, providing guidance on the work of the Coroner’s Service.
• 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.
• Preferrable to have relevant experience, on how to manage information of sudden, violent, suspicious, or unnatural deaths for which no death certificate has been issued.
• Excellent team working skills and the ability to successfully achieve team goals. 

Interviews

Our recruitment process is made up of two stages. The first stage is a:

Online video interview, where you'll have the opportunity to record your answers to questions. Successful candidates will then progress to a face-to-face interview.

To read more about us please visit: Place and Customer

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.  

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.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

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

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

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