Coroner's Officer

KONG Amsterdam; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental agency is seeking a Coroner's Officer for a 12-month fixed term secondment in Sunderland. The successful candidate will work under the direction of the HM Coroner, conducting investigations into unnatural or violent deaths. Key responsibilities include managing death reports, gathering evidence, and liaising with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates should possess strong teamwork, problem-solving skills, and effective communication abilities. This role offers benefits like NHS car lease scheme and generous leave policies.

Benefits

26 days leave plus 8 bank holidays

NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme

Enhanced maternity, shared parental, and adoption leave

Flexi-time and compressed hours

Public-sector pension scheme

Private healthcare and eye test vouchers

On-station gym access

Qualifications

• Ability to use a variety of computer programmes to support the work undertaken.
• Understanding of the work conducted by the Coroner.
• Ability to plan work, prioritise and deliver timely investigations.
• Ability to identify problems and alternative solutions.
• Teamworking skills to deliver an outstanding service.
• Communicative ability with compassion for all those who come into contact with the service.

Responsibilities

• Ensure legal compliance within Coronial law and relevant legislation.
• Manage Death Reports: receive and review referrals.
• Gather and assess evidence to support judicial decisions.
• Investigate and document: analyse case details.
• Liaise and communicate with families and authorities.

Skills

Computer literacy

Understanding of Coronial work

Planning and prioritization

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Compassionate communication

Job description

Job Details

• Vacancy Type: Police Staff
• Area: Command / Department Crime
• Location: Sunderland
• Contract Type: Secondment / Fixed Term
• Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
• Salary: £36,066 – £41,028 (Band 8, bottom of band)
• Closing Date: 08/01/2026

Role

The role is a 12‑month fixed‑term secondment (maternity cover) within the Northern England Police Crime Department as a Coroner’s Officer. The position is 37 hours per week and based at Agility, Sunderland City Hall with some home‑working. You will work under the direction of the HM Coroner, collaborating closely with law enforcement and medical professionals to conduct thorough investigations of unnatural, violent, state‑detention, or unknown‑cause deaths.

What You’ll Do

• Ensure legal compliance within Coronial law and relevant legislation, following Chief Coroner guidance.
• Manage Death Reports: receive and review referrals, confirm cause of death, and ensure formal identification is completed ethically and with empathy.
• Gather & assess evidence to support judicial decisions on post‑mortems, investigations, or registrar notifications.
• Investigate & document: analyse and record case details, attend post‑mortems when required, provide pathologists with relevant information, and maintain the integrity of samples and exhibits. You will support Coroner inquests and court proceedings.
• Liaise & communicate: keep families and interested persons updated, and coordinate with pathologists, clinicians, insurers, HSE, prison authorities, and legal representatives.

What You’ll Bring

• Ability to use a variety of computer programmes to support the work undertaken.
• Understanding of the work conducted by the Coroner.
• Ability to plan work, prioritise and deliver timely investigations at the direction of the Coroner.
• Ability to identify problems and alternative options and solutions.
• Teamworking skills to deliver an outstanding service.
• Communicative ability with compassion for all those who come into contact with the Coronial service, including delivering difficult and sensitive messages.

Benefits

• 26 days leave (30 days after 5 years) plus 8 bank holidays.
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme.
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave.
• Flexi‑time and compressed hours.
• Agile working – home, team zone or force sites.
• Public‑sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution.
• Corporate travel schemes for local transport.
• Private healthcare and eye test vouchers.
• Blue Light Card and Blue Light Ticket discounts.
• Meticulous paid sick leave, on‑site mental health first aiders, and employee advice service.
• On‑station gym access and sports & social club.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Volunteer opportunities in local community.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

Terms of Appointment

This is a fixed‑term secondment role that includes a six‑month probationary period. During probation you will not be eligible to apply for other advertised posts internally or externally. The right to close the vacancy early is retained if sufficient applications are received.

Application Process

The recruitment process consists of an initial online application form followed by a face‑to‑face interview. You may save your application and return to it before the closing date. We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum and are a Disability Confident Leader; we will offer interview adjustments to disabled applicants meeting the essential criteria.

Use of AI in Applications: Applicants may use AI tools to aid their application, but must ensure submissions accurately reflect their qualifications, experience and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify authenticity and suitability.

If your application is successful, you will complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, which requires you to have been a UK resident for at least 3 years. A job offer will depend on vetting clearance, medical information and references.

Contact

For further information about the role, please contact Steve Brown, D/Inspector, Major Investigation Team, by email at [e-mail].