This position is responsible for determining jurisdiction of cases, investigating and reporting on the cause and manner of death, and overseeing the daily office activities and department staff.
SUPERVISION
This position directly supervises the Deputy Medical Examiners by carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
SCHEDULE
Days: Monday - Friday*
Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm*
- Nights and weekends as needed
Hours Per Shift: 8
Shifts Per Pay Period: 10
Position FTE: 1.00
Applications are being accepted from current County employees as well as members of the public.This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Supervise, organize, schedule, assign, distribute, and evaluate the work of the Deputy Medical Examiner staff. This includes providing direction on the handling of case investigations.
Training and develop investigative staff on operational policies and procedures. Coordinate workplace safety compliance and continuing education/training activities.
Conduct investigations of deaths in Walworth County in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes. This shall include evaluating death scenes, examining and preserving evidence, investigating the circumstances of death by obtaining personal data and medical history via records and interviews; examining bodies; and establishing initial assessment of cause and manner of death as natural, suicidal, accidental, or homicidal.
Assist in the identification of decedent, and determine and coordinate proper disposition of the body, including removal and transportation of the body to the morgue.
Notify next of kin personally or in conjunction with law enforcement/other agencies.
Answer family questions and concerns over deceased individuals.
Prepare reports documenting the facts and findings of all death investigations and other activities regarding the deceased.
Investigate cause and manner of death and prepare and issue certificates, disinterment permits, subpoenas and other legally binding documents for embalming and cremation.
Assist in the collection, preservation, and chain of custody of bodies, criminal and physical evidence, specimens, and property.
Release bodies and property to the appropriate agency, funeral director, or family member and secure documentation of the transaction.
Take photographs of bodies and other evidence at autopsies or death scenes as required.
Establish and maintain effective working and public relations with various local and state law enforcement agencies, other county departments, medical personnel, funeral service professionals and the public.
Answer telephone lines and effectively handle requests or properly route the calls to appropriate staff in the Medical Examiner’s Office, other county offices or outside agencies.
Testify in civil and criminal cases when necessary.
Respond to reports of death on a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week basis. Schedule the rotation of Deputy Medical Examiner staff to assist in this assignment.
Prepare the county budget allotted to the Medical Examiner’s office.
Attend training meetings and seminars and maintain current knowledge of methods and procedures through professional literature or publications.
Prepare and approve bi-weekly payroll documentation for Deputy Medical Examiner staff.
Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education And/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree in areas such as biological or medical science, anatomy, physical therapy, medical terminology, nursing, or a closely related field or four (4) years of work experience in medico-legal death investigation, medical or biological sciences, police sciences, as a pathology or autopsy assistant, or a closely related area preferably in a medical examiner or coroner’s office. A minimum of three (3) years of managerial experience, ideally in medicolegal death investigation. Completion of both basic and advanced medicolegal death investigation training required. Proven knowledge of Wisconsin State Statutes concerning investigations of deaths, investigative techniques, principles, and practices used in determining cause and manner of death.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid driver's license.
Proof of minimum liability auto insurance coverage.
Certification as a Medicolegal Death Investigator preferred. If certification is not held at time of hire it must be obtained within twelve (12) months of the date of hire as a condition of continued employment; failure to obtain said license or certification will be grounds for termination.
Interactions and Communications
Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise.
Decision Making
This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents; supervision and managerial direction is available as requested. These decisions directly impact performance at the department wide level and information is provided with additional research and observations, which contributes to the decision-making process.
Thinking and Problem Solving
In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges in this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established practice.
Tools & Equipment Used
Telephone Copy Machine
Calculator FAX Machine
Camera Personal Computer/Printer
Body Lift
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employees may come into contact with airborne and blood borne pathogens.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must be able to move and transfer human bodies of various weights. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.
To Include
Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
Education & Experience Review
Oral Department Interview
Reference Check
Background Check
Verification of Drivers License
Post Offer Physical Exam
Drug Screen
