Outagamie County Core Values
Invested in Serving
Better Together
Create Progress
Support Through Compassion
Position Purpose
Conducts medicolegal l and legal investigations into deaths which occur within Outagamie County. Performs duties of the Medical Examiner in accordance with Wisconsin statutes, regulations, Wisconsin Statutes chapters 979 and 59.34, and in accordance with Outagamie County ordinances and policies.
This position does not start until January 27th 2027
Posting closes October 23 2026
Estimated Initial Screening Period: October 26–November 6
Benefit eligible fulltime position
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned by County Executive.
- Serves as the County Medical Examiner in accordance with Wisconsin Statute
- 979.01 and applicable Wisconsin laws governing death investigations, exercising statutory authority to investigate deaths within jurisdiction.
- Provides comprehensive medicolegal death investigation services for the County, including determining cause, manner, and contributing factors to death in accordance with legal and professional standards.
- Directs or authorizes autopsies, toxicology testing, and other investigative procedures as necessary to establish cause of death and fulfill statutory responsibilities.
- Ensures all investigations, records, and reports meet legal, evidentiary, and professional standards; maintains the security and confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Coordinates with law enforcement, healthcare providers, the district attorney’s office, and other agencies as required.
- Oversees and manages all operations of the Medical Examiner’s Office, including organizing, assigning, and delegating work; providing training, coaching, and performance feedback; and completing employee evaluations.
- Fosters a positive and effective work environment by promoting open communication, supporting staff development, and ensuring employees have the tools and resources needed to succeed.
- Performs or directs examinations and tests related to deaths under investigation, including those relevant to criminal proceedings; testifies in court regarding findings, autopsies, and investigative conclusions.
- Conducts required reviews and approvals, including cremation examinations and permits, and investigates reportable deaths, including those occurring shortly after hospital admission.
- Ensures the timely notification next of kin and interacts with survivors in a professional, compassionate, and respectful manner.
- Requests, reviews, and evaluations of medical records, law enforcement reports, and other relevant documentation to support investigative determinations.
- Develops and administers the departmental budget; monitors expenditures; and oversees contracts and service agreements.
- Engages with community partners and participates in initiatives related to public health, safety, and death prevention, as directed.
- Maintains availability for on-call duty and works flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required to meet operational needs.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in forensic science, a health or medical-related field, or another closely related discipline.
- Prior experience working with the public, performing administrative or customer service functions, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Valid Wisconsin driver's license and maintain it throughout employment.
- Experience in a medical, forensic, emergency medical services (EMS), legal, law enforcement, or other closely related field is preferred
- Certification as a Medicolegal Death Investigator through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) is preferred. Employees who are not certified must obtain certification within two (2) years of hire.Required or Preferred Skills
Required Or Preferred Skills
- Demonstrated ability to interact professionally and effectively with the public, coworkers, and medical and legal professionals, maintaining a high level of courtesy, tact, and cooperation.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and in compliance with applicable laws and policies.
- Demonstrated ability to remain composed and effective in high-stress, emotionally challenging, or occasionally confrontational situations.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, with demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in standard office software, including word processing and spreadsheet applications (e.g., Microsoft Office).
- Skill in collecting, maintaining, analyzing, and presenting data in reports or graphical formats using manual or computerized methods.
- Working knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to effectively supervise, coach, develop, communicate and support employees while fostering a positive and productive work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to interact with survivors and others with empathy, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
- Considerable knowledge of Chapter 69 of the Wisconsin State Statutes concerning the record of death.
- Considerable knowledge of causes and manners of death and their relation to the body, scene, medical and social history, and forensic examinations.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of pathological medicine.
- Knowledge of investigative methods and techniques.
- Knowledge of the statutory duties affecting the Medical Examiner’s Office
- Ability to determine whether conditions of death are suspicious and warrant further investigation.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
- Work is primarily performed in an office setting, with regular fieldwork related to death investigations.
- Position will require availability for on-call duty and the ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
- Occasional exposure to unpleasant sights, odors, or environmental conditions may occur during field investigations.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position in a primarily sedentary role, which may include extended periods of sitting, computer use, and communication via phone or in person.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment such as a computer, telephone, printer, copier, and scanner.
- Ability to travel to various County locations as needed.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting: https://www.outagamie.org/government/departments-f-m/human-resources/employee-benefits-information
Outagamie County Diversity Statement
Outagamie County is committed to developing, nurturing, and sustaining an equitable community and workforce where all individuals can thrive. We pledge to amplify the voices of under-represented communities or those who were historically excluded, by removing barriers that result from racial, social injustice and inequities. We strive to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion are embedded at all levels of Outagamie County programs and departments through acknowledging, analyzing, and addressing the root causes of inequities. We will create and advance equitable polices, practices and procedures, including, but not limited to County services, recruitment and retention, policies and practices, budgeting and procurement. We commit to being transparent and will continually evaluate and update our values when identified goals and objectives are not being achieved or sustained. Outagamie County will strive to create an inclusive environment where every community member feels like he/she/they belong.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE AND HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE TO ITS EMPLOYEES.
LEVELS OF BENEFITS CAN VARY BASED ON EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND EMPLOYEE GROUP.
Medical Coverage
Outagamie County currently offers eligible employees a Low-Deductible Health Plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Each of these plans are available for single or family coverage at affordable rates.
Dental Coverage
Eligible employees may choose either single, limited family, or family coverage.
Vision Coverage
Outagamie County offers single, employee plus one, employee plus children, and family voluntary vision insurance for those that are benefit eligible. Vision
insurance coverage provides an opportunity for employees to save money on routine vision exams, contacts, eyeglass frames, and lenses.
Life Insurance
Outagamie County provides group life insurance for full-time employees. The cost of this coverage is paid for in full by the County.
Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-Term Disability pays the employee a portion of his or her income for a specified period of time, as determined by the plan. The Short-Term Disability plan provides coverage for injuries and illnesses that occur outside of work. The premium for this coverage is paid entirely by the employee and is available to active employees that meet the hours threshold requirements.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
All regular, non-union full-time employees are eligible for long-term disability coverage. Premiums are fully paid by the County.
Wisconsin Retirement System
Wisconsin Retirement Program helps provide for financial security during retirement. Monthly annuity payments at retirement are calculated using years of creditable service, average earnings (based on three highest years of earnings), formula factors, age at retirement and selected annuity option.
The retirement plan consists of two parts: an employee-required portion and an employer-required portion. Outagamie County pays the employer portion, and employees are responsible for paying the employee-required portion, which is determined by the state each year. Enrollment is required for eligible employees. Eligibility is determined based on Wisconsin Retirement System plan rules.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred Compensation allows employees to set aside pre-tax earnings toward retirement. Employees can save up to 100% of their compensation, to a maximum of $23,500 annually, or as little as $10.00 per paycheck. The amount deferred reduces year-end state and federal income tax base. All the earnings will accrue tax-deferred until such time as the assets are withdrawn, generally at retirement, termination, or other special circumstances. There is also an after-tax 457 Roth contribution option.
Flexible Spending Account Plan
The Flexible Spending Account Plan saves money by allowing the employee to pay for certain medical related expenses and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis, reducing annual taxable income resulting in Federal, State, Social Security, and Medicare tax savings.
Employee Assistance Program
Outagamie County has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The services offered as part of the County's plan are a benefit provided at no cost to its employees and their immediate family members to help deal with life's stresses. EAP consists of caring individuals who are certified counselors. They offer professional support and direction towards resolving problems or concerns. They can also help by referring the employee to another resource if assistance is needed beyond the EAP.
Paid Time Off
Outagamie County offers several paid time off benefits that include: vacation, personal holidays, national holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave and military leave.
Employee and Family Clinic
Primary Health Services, Acute Health Care and Physical Therapy are available to employees and dependents ages 12 months and up (age 13 and up for physical therapy), who are covered on a county health plan. A Health Coach is available to all employees, and to dependents covered under a county health plan age 14 and older. There is an onsite location and a shared clinic site location.
Fitness Center
Located at the downtown campus, a brand new fitness center with treadmills and other gym equipment is available to all employees from 5am to 10pm daily.
Pet Insurance
Please note that the pet insurance offers are discounts offered to Outagamie County employees and are not programs sponsored by Outagamie County. Please contact the companies directly for any questions, concerns or service issues.
If you would like to learn more, please click below about the benefits.
Values of Excellence (Recognition Program)
A program designed to celebrate the big wins, the daily efforts and everything in between of our county employees, which such a great place to grow, work, and thrive together. Where anyone as a county employee can recognize someone for a job well done!
Continuing Education
Outagamie County encourages continuing education by offering Education Reimbursement. This reimbursement is intended to provide assistance to the employee for out-of-pocket expenses for continuing education for the mutual benefit of the employee and Outagamie County, not covered in the departmental budget.
Any Outagamie County employee in good standing, averaging twenty (20) hours or more per week during the six (6) months prior to the start of the course, is eligible to apply. This statement is not all-inclusive in regard to tuition reimbursement.
https://www.outagamie.gov/Our-County/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefits-Information
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Briefly describe any prior experience that qualifies you for the Medical Examiner role that has not been mentioned.
