Chief Medical Examiner
Portage County is all about having a servant heart and providing services that enable our citizens to build productive communities, families and lives. Due to a retirement, Portage County is hiring a Chief Medical Examiner to join the team!
The position is an appointed position per Wisconsin State Statutes 59.17 (2)(br). Performs as a collaborative member of Portage County’s management team, participating in department and County leadership and management functions under the direction of the County Executive.
What are the primary job duties?
Investigates deaths in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes, including evaluating death scenes, examining and preserving evidence, investigating the circumstances of death by obtaining personal data and medical history through records and interviews; and establishes initial assessment of cause and manner of death, as natural, suicidal, accidental, homicidal or undetermined.
Determines need for autopsy, toxicology, radiology, etc.; involvement from other agencies/departments such as law enforcement/detective, crime lab, District Attorney, pathologist, etc.; obtains appropriate records from law enforcement, health care establishments, etc. to coordinate a comprehensive, multidisciplinary investigation.
Prepares and maintains reports documenting the facts and findings of all death investigations and other activities pertinent to the investigation.
Determines positive identification of the decedent.
Collects, maintains and disposes of evidence; obtains bodily specimens; maintains and sorts records and documents; maintains, sorts and reviews photographs; prepares presentations and slides.
Arranges for performance of pathological or mediolegal examinations and other tests, including autopsies, as individual situations warrant, and may accompany body to and observe the autopsies.
Answers family questions and concerns over deceased individuals.
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.
Prepares and provides cremation authorizations, disinterment permits and death certificates.
Prepares and submits reports, documentation and correspondence including medical examiners reports, traffic fatality reports, statistics, firearm death reports, etc.
Provides the direct supervision of Chief Deputy Medical Examiner and Deputy Medical Examiners and overall supervision for all department staff. Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff. Works with Human Resources regarding any disciplinary action and terminations. Administers Human Resources policies and performs personnel actions as necessary.
Prepares staff schedules to provide 24-hour coverage of duties including on-call schedules.
Prepares and administers department annual budget; monitors, oversees and authorizes expenditures; processes and pays invoices. Purchases and maintains supplies and equipment.
What are the minimum qualifications?
Associate degree in paramedic, nursing, biology, medicine, pre-med, forensic science or criminal justice or related field required.
Two years’ experience in medical investigations.
Experience as a Deputy Medical Examiner or Coroner with equivalent of 2-3 years of full time work.
Possession of or ability to obtain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) board certification.
Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skill and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle for business related travel.
Must be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, unless proper replacement and reported to dispatching/paging agency.
Portage County offers the following benefits?
State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan
Health insurance – your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with the High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) Paid by the County
Employee Wellness Program
Vacation – available on date of hire!
Paid holidays
Sick pay
Flexible spending account
Life insurance – premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hours/week
Long Term Disability insurance – paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hours/week)
Dental insurance
457B Deferred Compensation Plan
Deadline to apply: 4:30 pm on Friday, October 29th, 2021
* Interviews will be held on Tuesday, November 9th (approximately)
For a complete position description, please contact Human Resources at: HR@co.portage.wi.us
Deadline Note:
