Medical Examiner Investigator

Livingston County was named a 2025 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 6 elected offices, and 3 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Summary of Position:

Performs forensic investigations through the utilization of accepted procedures, documents death scenes, and to assist in the collection of evidence in support of the Medical Examiner's office. Performs field interviews at death scenes and conducts research both in the office and in the field. Transport bodies when necessary to morgue. Medical Examiner investigators should have a combination of education and skills encompassing areas of medicine and law.

• This position is an on-call position that is paid at an hourly rate when called in.
• Must be able to be onsite within 1 hour of call.
• 15-20 on-call shifts per month, and shifts include nights & weekends.

Benefits:

• Optional Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Up to $300 annual Wellness reimbursement* & $100 incentive for completing your annual physical & Health Assessment.
• Employee Assistance Program

* Pro-rated based on the DOH

Pay Rate Information:

The Medical Examiner Investigator is a non-union, part-time position and starting pay is $34.99/hr . This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 9 Wage Scale . Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $44.32/hr . The Medical Examiner Investigator is an on-call position with a requirement to arrive at site within one hour of call.

Essential Functions:

1. Receives reported notices of death through various means including but not limited to central dispatch, electronic activation, EMS and local law enforcement.
2. Interviews for information surrounding the terminal event including physical descriptions of decedents and their personal habits.
3. Develops a plan for obtaining additional information and appropriate actions to be taken.
4. Reviews cases with the Medical Examiner.
5. Organizes a case record for the deceased in cases where it is to be processed by the Medical Examiner's Office, including medical and family history, reports of circumstances and evidence surrounding the death, continues to follow up on cases until a final disposition is reached; prepares a summary report.
6. Prepares divisional forms, as required by the situation; contacts the police when required by the circumstances of the death, contacts the funeral home where the body is to be released giving the case number, pronounced time of death and name and phone number of doctor's who is to sign the death certificate.
7. Researches next of kin, family or friends to identify the decedent; develops physical description of the decedent by viewing the body; researches missing persons reports comparing physical descriptions.
8. Assists with processing work either in the field or at the office, assembling material evidence such as drugs, medicines, poisons, X-rays of the ballistic location in the decedent, fingerprints, weapons, etc.
9. Remains on call for dispatch to death scenes to perform necessary tasks.
10. Operates and utilizes various office equipment and machines including telephone, computer, printer, copier, fax machine, vehicles, etc.
11. Assists in the performance of autopsies, completing forensic procedures including fingerprinting, maintaining records, releasing human bodies and their personal effects, enforcing infection control procedures, etc.

Licensing or Certifications:

• Valid MI Driver's License;

Knowledge of:

• Documentation principles;
• Microsoft Office products;
• Investigative principles;
• Forensic principles and practices;
• Scene Safety and Scene management;
• Equipment related to medical examiner programs;
• Applicable local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations;
• Research principles; and,
• Continuous quality improvement principals.

Physical Requirements:

• Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and seeing.
• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects.
• Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, odors, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, and potentially lethal diseases and animals.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials found in a home or general office environment.
• Use of household cleaning products and disinfectants may be required.