Under the supervision of the Medical Examiner, our Deputy Medical Examiners investigate and report on the cause and manner of deaths. This includes gathering physical evidence, conducting interviews, assisting in post-mortem examinations, determining if cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office, and performing related work as required. LUE (limited use employee) Deputy Medical Examiners must be able to respond to calls throughout Monroe County within a 45-minute timeframe.

Examples of Duties

The following duties are illustrative, and the person holding this position may be required to perform other duties of a similar nature or otherwise related to the position.

1. Investigate death scenes to determine cause and manner of deaths in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes.
2. Examines evidence at the scene to establish an initial assessment of the cause and manner of death as natural, suicide, homicidal, accidental, or undetermined.
3. Assists in the identification of the decedent by examining the body and the scene of the death.
4. Collects and preserves physical evidence in accordance with the established chain of custody procedures.
5. Notifies the next of kin personally or in conjunction with law enforcement, judicial agencies, or pastoral services.
6. Supervises the removal of the body from the scene, including transporting to the appropriate post-mortem facility.
7. Conducts medical and social history data collection on cases from hospital personnel, health care personnel, families, friends, neighbors, and other sources.
8. Testifies in civil and criminal cases on the results of investigations and other expert information.
9. Prepares and issues death certificates, disinterment permits, cremation permits, embalming permits, medical record requests, subpoenas, and other legally binding documents.
10. Photograph, fingerprint, collect toxicology samples, gather DNA samples and other forensic evidence from the body.
11. Establishes and maintains effective working and public relations with various local, county and state law enforcement agencies, federal officers, correctional officers, county departments and the public.
12. Performs other duties as required.

Essential Qualifications

1. Requires a medical background trained to at least the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic level or similar training and two years of medical field experience
2. Preferably two years’ experience either performing criminal or civil investigations, or related field, including writing investigative reports
3. Familiarity with exposure control plans and appropriate personal protective equipment, including safe needle practices
4. Considerable knowledge of Wisconsin State Statute 979, concerning the investigation of deaths
5. Considerable knowledge of Wisconsin State Statute 69, concerning the reporting and recording of deaths
6. Considerable knowledge of causes and manners of death and their manifestations with regard to the body, the scene, medical social history, and forensics
7. Considerable knowledge of investigative techniques, principles, and practices used in the investigation of deaths, including the American Board of Medical Legal Death Investigators and the 1999 Death Investigation guidelines as published by the National Institute of Justice
8. Considerable knowledge of the morphological aspects of the causes of death, with special attention to necropsy
9. Working knowledge of medical terminology and medicine as it pertains to death and varying forms of trauma
10. Working knowledge of human anatomy and physiology sufficient to gather blood and other bodily fluids as evidence
11. Ability to effectively communicate with physicians and other licensed health care providers and survivors of the decedent
12. Ability to communicate investigative results in a court of law
13. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other public agencies and the public
14. Ability to interpret a death scene, identify items of evidence and assess the condition of the body
15. Ability to take proper photographs of the scene, body, and evidence for documentation
16. Ability to physically remove a body from the scene and transport or supervise the transport of the body to a proper facility including, but not limited to the morgue, and ensuring the preservation of evidence.
17. Ability to prepare and present accurate, objective, and thorough reports
18. Oral and written skills are essential
19. Possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver's License
20. Ability to drive County-owned vehicles
21. Access to reliable personal motor vehicle transportation with auto liability insurance

Must be available to work on-call shifts, as scheduled, including evenings, holidays, and weekends, and able to work on-call for up to 24-hour shifts. The position is paid per hour for on-call. An individual is paid an hourly rate for call-out, depending on the type and length of the call.

This position requires frequent bending, lifting, twisting, stretching, squatting, sitting, standing, and walking. You must have excellent visual acuity and be able to hear normal conversations.  Must be able to communicate orally in a clear and concise manner.  Must have good manual dexterity of hands and fingers and must be able to lift/carry/push/pull up to 50 pounds with a moving cart or device.  Exposure to bloodborne pathogens is considered high for this position.

For additional information regarding this position please contact the Monroe County Medical Examiner at 608-269-8721.

To apply for this position please complete the required Monroe County Application 

If you have further questions, please contact HR at 608-269-8719. 

If you have further questions, please contact HR at 608-269-8719. 

Your completed application materials and supporting documents can be emailed to: human.resources@co.monroe.wi.us 

Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.  AA/EOE