Deputy Medical Examiner

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for initiating and conducting death investigations for the Medical Examiner's Office. This includes deaths due to homicide, suicide, accident, death in police custody, sudden unexplained infant death and other deaths deemed suspicious in nature.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Conduct telephone and scene investigations through photography and written statements when required and in concert with law enforcement.
• Interview witnesses and obtain information from first responders such as police, fire and healthcare workers.
• Communicate with law enforcement, hospital staff, families, funeral homes, etc.
• Gather information related to decedents and investigations.
• Write investigative reports and scene narratives using medical terminology.
• Determine jurisdiction of the case.
• Assist with the preparation of necessary paperwork and retrieving medical records and/or other necessary documents regarding decedents.
• Assist in locating and notifying next of kin which includes direct interaction with distraught families.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of and ability to interpret federal, state, and county laws, rules, and ordinances pertaining to the responsibilities of Department.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to maintain accurate and legible notes.
• Knowledge of County policies, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of local government organization and its departmental operating requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data.
• General knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, equipment and office assistance techniques.
• Knowledge of the use of a multi-line telephone system.
• Ability to type and key entry accurately at a reasonable rate of speed.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and perform word processing and/or data entry.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively with other members of the staff, supervisor, and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal form.
• Must be proficient in workplace English and spelling.
• Ability to read County policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to calculate mathematical calculations.
• Ability to comprehend financial records and reporting.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.
• Organizational and time management skills needed to meet deadlines.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.
• Ability to use good judgement and effectively solve problems.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description 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 or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This work requires the ability to facilitate lifting up to 300 pounds; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has exposure to environmental conditions such as unpleasant odors associated with the deceased.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Case work is performed primarily in an office setting, including report writing and communication with family and other departments.
• Field work is performed at the scene and may include but is not limited to the following environments: indoors, outdoors, water, roadways, woods, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Mortuary Science, Crime Scene Investigation or Medical Terminology required.
• AMBDI Certification, must be obtained within 18 months of hire.
• Valid driver's license.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience with a hospice agency, funeral home or medical examiner's office.
• An equivalent combination of education, AMBMI certification and experience can be substituted for the above listed requirements.

Full Pay Range: $27.09 - $37.74/hour

Expected Pay Range: $27.09 - $30.65/hour

FTE: 0.0

Department: Medical Examiner

St. Croix County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to an individual's race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.