DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER
Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!
DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER
Full Time
The mission of the Kenosha County Medical Examiner's Office is to ensure that death investigations are carried out in an expeditious and professional manner, while providing the highest level of sensitivity and compassion to the surviving loved ones during their time of grief.
Primary functions of this position are to investigate the medically relevant circumstances surrounding deaths reported to the Medical Examiner's Office in Kenosha County, and to prepare written reports documenting the investigative findings. This position reports to the Medical Examiner and the Chief Deputy Medical Examiner.
The full-time Deputy Medical Examiner will work 4:00 pm - midnight, Monday through Friday. This position may be required to work overtime or on-call hours as required. The on-site required response time is within 60 minutes of the time of call/notification.
Kenosha County is committed to Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion and is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.
2025 Hiring Range: $27.00 - $30.68 per hour
Position Summary and Job Duties
- Respond to scenes of reported deaths and perform a skilled investigation within 60 minutes of call/notification
- Determine whether a death is within the Medical Examiner's jurisdiction and requires an investigation in accordance to Wis. Statutes Chapter 979
- Maintain availability by telephone during on-call hours
- Prepare human remains for transport from a scene
- Communicate effectively with emergency personnel and law enforcement investigators in order to obtain accurate and comprehensive information regarding the circumstances surrounding a death
- Communicate effectively and compassionately with the decedent's loved ones and other witnesses
- Obtain the decedent's medical and social history from physicians, medical records, emergency personnel, relatives, witnesses, police, and other involved persons
- Communicate effectively with funeral directors and funeral home personnel
- Speak and write in a professional manner; maintain a professional appearance
- Submit clear, accurate, and objective reports, in a computerized web-based records management system, in a prescribed format, and in a timely manner, for all death investigations
- Ensure that the next-of-kin is notified of the death
- Maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and skills by attending continuing education seminars, training programs, and appropriate courses
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Medical Examiner and/or Chief Deputy Medical Examiner
- Perform and document post-mortem examinations under the direction of the Medical Examiner and/or Chief Deputy Medical Examiner
- Maintain the electronic death investigation record by entering all available information regarding scene and case investigation, uploading documents such as postmortem examination, digital photographs, and all other documents pertaining to each death case, into the Medical Examiner database
- Make arrangements for forensic autopsy with the contracted provider; for transport of the decedent; and for tissue donation (when appropriate) when an autopsy is to be ordered
- Comply with policies and procedures established by the Medical Examiner's Office and Kenosha County
- Maintain communication with the Medical Examiner staff
- Perform other duties as assigned and appropriate
Success Factors
- Knowledge of Kenosha County geography
- Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration
- Knowledge of laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to public health
- Skill in interpersonal communication to deal courteously and effectively with other employees and the public
- Skill in organization
- Skill in investigation - using multiple resources to locate next of kin and searching decedent's home for clues
- Ability to act as the guardian of the public and trust
- Ability to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of modern medical examiner principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment
- Ability to speak effectively to individuals and groups
- Ability to comprehend, process, and apply both verbal and written skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to use resources effectively and efficiently
- Ability to operate a computer with knowledge and proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment
Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience
Education and Experience
- Associate degree in criminal justice, nursing, or closely related field from a two-year university, college, or technical school; Bachelor's degree preferred
- Minimum of three years of experience in law enforcement, as a first responder (e.g., firefighter, EMT), a licensed or certified nurse, or a medical care provider
- Or, any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work
Licenses or Certifications
- Must obtain ABMDI certification within three to five years of service, if applicant does not already meet ABMDI application requirements at time of hire, and maintain certification through duration of employment
Other Job Requirements
- Must possess a valid driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any state, have a safe driving record, and be insurable
- Must have reliable transportation to respond to the Medical Examiner's Office to retrieve the response vehicle
- Must have internet access
Benefits
- Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of the month following 30 days of employment with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off
- Volunteer Paid Time Off
- Twelve Paid Holidays
- Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
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.
The position involves heavy physical demands, such as exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
- May be required to climb or balance; reach with hands and arms; sit; stand; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk and hear; use hands to handle or feel
- Will frequently work in an outdoor environment with exposure to weather-related heat and cold, rain, wind, and other elements
- May be exposed to extreme cold (not weather-related), criminal suspects, or prison inmates
- May occasionally be required to lift/move over 60 pounds
Work Environment/Conditions
The work environment and exposures 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.
The incumbent in this position will have frequent exposures to individuals who are rude or irate, individuals with known violent backgrounds, communicable diseases, bodily fluids (blood, urine, etc.), and infectious waste. There will be occasional exposure to outdoor environments, street environments, clinical health care environments, funeral home/morgue/embalming rooms, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals, substances waste.
Selection Process
- Application Review - Qualifying
- Oral Interview - Qualifying
- Background Check - Qualifying
- Physical Examination/Drug Screen - Qualifying
If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.
Applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
To learn more about the Office of the Medical Examiner, please visit: https://www.kenoshacounty.org/377/Medical-Examiners-Office
Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer. Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.
The pay grade for this position is NE10 (Min. $27.00 - Max. $34.36 per hour).
This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago. To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit:https://www.visitkenosha.com
Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!
Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
Other details
- Pay Type Hourly
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