Deputy Chief Medical Investigator

Job Description Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Deputy Chief Medical Investigator at the Medical Examiner's Office. The position provides health insurance, wellness programs and discounts, retirement programs, and various discount programs. The Deputy Chief serves as second‑in‑command and functions as a working manager within the Office of the Medical Investigator, providing direct leadership, operational support, and supervisory oversight to ensure consistent investigative coverage and high‑quality service delivery. The Deputy Chief maintains a regular investigative workload while supporting administrative and supervisory functions, leading evening and night shifts, and assuming the duties of the Chief when needed. Responsibilities include supervising and mentoring investigators, providing real‑time guidance on complex or sensitive cases, and ensuring adherence to investigative standards and protocols. The Deputy Chief shares on‑call responsibilities with the Chief, responding to after‑hours questions, providing case consultation, and responding to scenes when additional support is required. Supervises the Medicolegal Death Investigator positions, reviews and evaluates the work of their designees, ensures compliance with health and safety standards and good laboratory practices, updates and develops the skills of employees through training, motivates and counsels employees, provides guidance and leadership in continuous improvement activities related to medicolegal death investigations, conducts formal performance evaluations under the guidance of the Chief Medical Investigator, and provides phone support as needed to aid on‑duty investigators. Assists the Chief Medical Investigator in the recruitment, hiring, training, and education of other medicolegal death investigators; conducts PPD reviews and evaluation of investigator positions; provides backup and on‑call activities as needed; conducts quality assurance reviews of investigator reports; organizes and maintains adequate levels of investigator supplies; manages vehicle maintenance; and assists the Chief in developing and tracking key performance indicators in the Investigations division. Facilitates staffing and scheduling of existing personnel, follows all Johnson County Human Resource policies, maintains American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) training, registry, and/or certification of investigators, and participates in advanced training of staff and outside agencies. Assists in developing and maintaining protocols and procedures for investigators; assists in the maintenance of evidence and medications, including disposition in conjunction with the Chief Medical Investigator according to MEO policy; and assists with the development of mass fatality plans. Assists with the annual report in conjunction with the DHE Epidemiologist and Medical Examiner. Stays current on knowledge and practices in the field of forensic sciences by attending professional conferences, departmental annual training programs, and by reviewing information obtained from departmental memoranda and staff meetings. Represents the Medical Examiner's Office by attending and presenting at public and governmental meetings or conferences, providing technical education, guidance, and consultation to the department, the community and other agencies. Responds to various death scenes as needed, acts as the primary official and/or supervisor on scene, completes a thorough death investigation of all deaths within the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner, ensures proper handling of the body, scene, evidence, and prepares comprehensive reports, completes interviews of pertinent individuals, and coordinates the dissemination of information to family, friends, law enforcement agencies and the public in accordance with the Medical Examiner's Office policies. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Natural Science, Anthropology, Nursing, or any other medically relevant field is required. American Board of Medicolegal Investigators (ABMDI) Board Certification (Basic) is required upon hire, and Advanced certification is required within six months of hire. Eight years of experience in forensic medical investigative practices and techniques, including proper handling and processing of evidentiary material and knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and working with human remains, is required. Three years of leading, directing, supervising, or coordinating the work of others is required. Must provide tuberculosis status and current Hepatitis B vaccination records prior to employment or obtain within six months. Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Anthropology, Nursing, or any other medically relevant field is preferred. Benefits Health insurance, wellness programs and discounts, retirement programs, and various discount programs are provided. #J-18808-Ljbffr Johnson County Government