Part-Time Deputy Medical Examiner; MEO

Under supervision and as assigned, the deputy medical examiner is responsible for investigating reportable deaths, including determining jurisdiction of the case, completing narrative reports in a timely manner, assisting with autopsies, and performing other duties as required.

• Days: varies
• Work Hours:
  
  varies
• Hours Per Shift: varies
• Shifts Per Pay Period: varies
• Position FTE: 0.80

• Conduct investigations of deaths in Walworth County in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes, evaluating death scenes, examining and preserving evidence, and establishing cause and manner of death.
• Assist in the identification of the decedent and coordinate proper disposition of the body, including removal and transportation to the morgue.
• Notify next of kin personally or in conjunction with law enforcement or other agencies.
• Answer family questions and concerns.
• Prepare reports documenting the facts and findings of all death investigations and related activities.
• Examine bodies, investigate cause and manner of death, and prepare and issue certificates 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.
• Testify in civil and criminal cases when necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective working and public relations with local and state law enforcement agencies, other county departments, medical personnel, funeral service professionals, and the public.
• Attend training meetings and seminars and maintain current knowledge of methods and procedures through professional literature and publications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

High school diploma or equivalent and seven months to one year of relevant prior experience. Proven ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, including whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, as well as compute rate, ratio, and percent, and draw and interpret bar graphs. Knowledge of Wisconsin State Statutes concerning investigations of deaths and investigative techniques.

• Valid driver's license.
• Proof of minimum liability auto insurance coverage.
• Certification as a Medicolegal death investigator preferred.

Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise.

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 in the job and the work unit within the department and are based on additional research and observations.

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.

• Copy Machine
• Telephone
• FAX Machine
• Calculator
• Personal Computer/Printer
• Camera

The work environment includes exposure to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions. The noise level is usually moderate. Employees may come into contact with airborne and blood borne pathogens.

The employee is regularly required to talk or hear, stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste, or smell, and must be able to move and transfer human bodies of various weights. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Other job related tests may be required.