Deputy Coroner

Under the direction of the Coroner, the Deputy Coroner investigates sudden, unnatural, violent, or unattended deaths to determine the cause, manner, and circumstances under which a person died as required by Montana law (Montana Code Annotated).

$5 per hour for on call

$75 for call outs

$150 for travel

Deputy Coroners may occasionally be required to conduct investigations in remote or challenging locations during adverse weather events. The position involves potential exposure to biohazards.

• Establish and confirm the identity of deceased individuals.
• Notify next of kin.
• Perform external examinations of decedents
• Collect biological samples (e.g., blood, vitreous humor, urine).
• Complete death certificates within 10 days.
• Complete cremation authorizations and investigate as necessary.
• Record and preserve any personal objects or items that may be related to the cause of death.
• Secure personal property and maintain Property Records/Chain of Custody.
• Supervise the removal of bodies to funeral homes.
• Transport decedents to the Missoula State Crime Lab for autopsy.
• Testify at inquests, hearings, or court trials as required.
• Prepare and submit official reports within required deadline.
• Confer with public health officials, doctors, and law enforcement officers.
• Perform all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner. Specifically, complies with the Health & Safety Program; maintains work area in a safe and orderly manner; identifies and reports unsafe conditions; reports all accidents; wears required personal protective equipment; and attends safety-related meetings, training sessions, fit testing, etc.
• Perform all duties and work assignments in compliance with quality requirements.
• Act responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with generally accepted IACME professional standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of local laws and legal regulations.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Basic Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Analytical and detail oriented.
• Available [Monday – Friday; 2-day increments] or [Friday at 5:30 pm – Sunday 5:30 pm] on call.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• While not required, experience or education in any of the following areas is preferred:
  • Death investigation
  • Medical or forensic terminology
  • Human anatomy

• Must complete a Montana POST-certified 40-hour Basic Coroner Course within the first year of employment.
• Must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years.

• Must possess a current Montana Driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one within a reasonable period of time after employment.
• Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance:
  “2.08.010 Residence during employment.
  From and after October 1, 1979, all employees of the local government of Butte-Silver Bow shall be bona fide residents within the boundaries of Butte-Silver Bow during the period of their employment by the government of Butte-Silver Bow. (Ord. 85 § 1, 1979)”
• Must pass a pre-employment background check.

The City-County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, or veteran status.

• Clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate well with others.
• Sufficient vision, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to produce and review a wide variety of materials in both electronic and hardcopy…