Chief Deputy Medical Examiner

Position Summary

Columbia County seeks to fill a full-time vacancy for Chief Deputy Medical Examiner. This position is under the supervision of the Columbia County Medical Examiner. Responsibilities: Investigates and reports on the cause and manner of deaths including the gathering of physical evidence, interviewing, assisting in post-mortem examinations; determines if a case falls under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner’s Office; and performs related work as required.  Administrative duties of the office in the absence of the Medical Examiner. These duties include but are not limited to; accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, attend Committee meetings as required, serve civil process upon request by the Sheriff, case management, monthly reports and personnel scheduling. In case of a vacancy in the office of Medical Examiner, the Chief Deputy Medical Examiner shall execute the duties of the office until the vacancy is filled as provided by law.  Qualifications: Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Deputy Medical Examiner and at least 200 case investigations.  Requires a combination of training and experience equivalent to at least an Associate’s Degree in Police Science, OR related field and 2 years’ experience either performing criminal or civil investigations, including writing investigative reports.  Requires a medical background trained to at least the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Basic level or similar training and 2 years of medical field experience.  Familiar with exposure control plans and appropriate personal protective equipment including safe needle practices.  Special consideration given to American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) board certification.  Possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License; ability to drive County owned vehicles; access to reliable personal motor vehicle.  Availability to work evenings, holidays, and weekends. Must be bondable.  Must maintain auto liability insurance.  Random drug testing required. Selection process includes an oral interview, background investigation, medical and psychological evaluation, drug and alcohol screening.  Hire rate: $31.755 per hour.  Complete job description and required application obtained on County Web Site: https://www.co.columbia.wi.us Application deadline is August 31, 2026. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Handles the administrative duties of the office in the absence of the Medical Examiner.  These duties include, but are not limited to:

a.  Managing accounts payable

b.  Managing accounts receivable

c.  Approving and submitting payroll

d.  Attending County Committee and other meetings as required

e.   Sustaining case management

f.  Completing monthly and/or annual reports

g.  Completing personnel scheduling

h.   Fulfilling open records requests

1. Responds to death calls and documents the death scene; examines the deceased and the circumstances of the death; performs the death scene investigation; determines the cause and manner of death; determines the need for autopsy, toxicology, x-ray, or other pertinent tests or examinations.
2. Legally pronounces death and aids in identification of the decedent.
3. Notifies legal next of kin personally or in conjunction with other law enforcement and judicial agencies.
4. Obtains personal data and medical history of the deceased by requesting the appropriate records and interviewing relatives, friends, and acquaintances of the deceased and/or witnesses on scene.
5. Answers family questions and concerns about deceased individuals.
6. Collects, inventories, and distributes specimens, personal property, prescription medications, and monies as appropriate.
7. Refers decedents for tissue and eye donation according to department procedure.
8. Schedules the appropriate forensic examinations with the on-call forensic pathologist. Transports the decedent to and observes the autopsy, often in the company of law enforcement and other agencies.
9. Provides court testimony as needed.  Testifies as an expert witness when requested concerning the facts and conclusions disclosed by autopsies, physical examinations and any other tests performed.
10. Prepares and provides cremation authorizations, permission to embalm, disinterment permits, and death certificates as required. 
11. Attends trainings and seminars to a working knowledge of current methods and procedures. 
12. Participates in and organizes various case review committees. 
13. Interacts with funeral directors, medical facilities, Law Enforcement, pathologists, legal next of kin, and the general public. 
14. Works in physically and emotionally stressful conditions. 
15. Performs related duties as may be required or assigned.

Educational Requirements and Qualifications

1. Possesses an Associate’s degree or higher in medicolegal death investigation, nursing, biology, anatomy, anthropology, medicine, EMS/EMT/Paramedic, forensic science, criminal justice or closely related field.
2. Has two years minimum experience as a Deputy Medical Examiner/Medicolegal Investigator or equivalent and at least 200 case investigations. 
3. Possesses or has the ability to obtain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certification in a timeframe not to exceed 18 months of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, Licensure and Experience Required

1. Act as Medical Examiner in Medical Examiner’s absence
2. Considerable knowledge of Chapter 979 of the Wisconsin State Statutes concerning the investigation of death.
3. Considerable knowledge of Chapter 69 of the Wisconsin State Statutes concerning the record of death.
4. Considerable knowledge of causes and manners of death and their relation to the body, scene, medical and social history, and forensic examinations.
5. Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of pathological medicine.
6. Knowledge of investigative methods and techniques.
7. Knowledge of the statutory duties affecting the Medical Examiner’s Office
8. Ability to determine whether conditions of death are suspicious and warrant further investigation.
9. Ability to gather facts, clues, and draw logical conclusions from such data.
10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, State, and Federal agencies.
11. Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity and display effective problem solving.
12. Ability to communicate investigative results in a court of law.
13. Ability to take proper photographs of a scene, body, and evidence for documentation.
14. Ability to physically remove a body from the scene and transport or supervise the transport of the body to a proper facility and ensuring the preservation of the chain of custody.
15. Ability to prepare and present accurate, objective, and thorough reports.
16. Ability to work evenings, holidays, and weekends.
17. Valid Wisconsin Driver’s license and access to personal transportation.
18. Must maintain auto liability insurance.
19. Random drug testing required.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the County may consider a combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. 

Physical Requirements

1. Ability to bend, lift, twist, stretch, squat, sit, stand.
2. Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices.
3. Ability to communicate orally in a clear manner.
4. Ability to lift/carry/push/pull up to 50 pounds unassisted and heavier loads with assistance.

This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job.  The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. This position requires the completion and passing of a background check.