The office of the coroner is hereby created. The coroner's office shall be responsible for the statutory functions and duties of the coroner as set forth in Chapters 36.24 and 68.50 RCW, and other applicable statutes and regulations of the state of Washington. The coroner's office shall include an appointed coroner and such staff as are necessary to accomplish its duties, as determined by the board of county commissioners with advice of the prosecuting attorney. The coroner's office shall be managed and administered by the coroner, with the advice of the prosecuting attorney.
(Ord. 12-24 § 2)
The person appointed to the position of coroner shall be determined to be qualified for this position pursuant to the qualifications stated in the "Jefferson County Job Description: Coroner," and as said job description may be amended in the future. Pursuant to RCW 36.24.170, neither the coroner nor coroner deputies shall appear or practice as an attorney. Defense of the coroner and coroner deputies against claims or lawsuits shall be pursuant to Chapter 2.05 JCC.
(Ord. 12-24 § 2)
(1) 
The coroner shall be appointed by a majority vote of the board of county commissioners with the advice of the county prosecutor.
(2) 
Compensation and other terms of employment shall be set by the board of county commissioners and the coroner through negotiation and execution of an employment contract. The terms of said employment contract shall not be in conflict with this chapter, or any Washington State statute or regulation.
(3) 
The coroner serves at the pleasure of the board of county commissioners as an at-will employee. Termination of the coroner is by a vote of the board, which may be taken at any time, subject to the terms and conditions of the employment contract.
(Ord. 12-24 § 2)
(1) 
The coroner or designee shall:
(a) 
Certify the manner of death in cases under the coroner's jurisdiction;
(b) 
Sign death certificates;
(c) 
Determine the need for autopsies after seeking the advice of the prosecuting attorney or designee, and ensure the county's agreements with neighboring county agencies to perform autopsies are followed;
(d) 
Investigate or cause to be investigated the cause of violent deaths or deaths resulting from accidents, homicides, suicides, or when the deceased was not under the care of a physician; and
(e) 
Perform all duties assigned to the coroner by the laws of the state of Washington now in effect or as hereafter amended.
(2) 
The coroner may perform coroner's inquests pursuant to RCW 36.24.020 through 36.24.100, except that he may appoint an attorney to hear inquests where the coroner is required to give testimony.
(3) 
The coroner shall be authorized to institute such other procedures or policies to ensure investigation into the death of persons coming under the jurisdiction of the coroner.
(4) 
The coroner shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all trainings, certifications and accreditations as required by law, including, but not limited to, those required in RCW 36.24.205 and 36.24.210.
(Ord. 12-24 § 2)
(1) 
All deaths over which the coroner has jurisdiction as identified in RCW 68.50.010 shall be immediately reported to the office of the coroner.
(2) 
Any person in possession of unclaimed human remains and any person who sees human remains under circumstances suggesting that no one has assumed responsibility for them shall notify the office of the coroner.
(3) 
Upon receipt of human remains, the coroner shall attempt to notify the family as defined by RCW 68.50.105.
(Ord. 12-24 § 2)
The coroner shall be responsible for directing the control and disposition of personal property of deceased persons under the jurisdiction of the coroner. All personal property shall be transferred to the legal representatives of the deceased or next of kin, if appropriate. If the transfer cannot be made because there is no known next of kin or legal representative, or the next of kin or legal representative is not available to accomplish the transfer within 30 calendar days after the coroner assumes jurisdiction over the remains of the deceased, the personal property shall be disposed of in a manner consistent with RCW 36.24.130.
(Ord. 12-24 § 2)