Deputy Coroner

City and County of Butte-Silver Bow, MT; Butte (MT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City and County of Butte-Silver Bow seeks a Deputy Coroner to investigate sudden or unattended deaths under Montana law. Duties include identifying decedents, notifying families, performing external exams, collecting samples, and preparing death certificates.

On-call shifts with $5/h, $75 callouts, and $150 travel apply; safety and confidentiality are essential. Must complete Montana POST-certified 40-hour Basic Coroner Course within the first year and maintain ongoing CEUs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of local laws and legal regulations.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and perform field duties.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Basic MS Word/Excel skills and strong attention to detail.
• Available on call in specified shifts.

Responsibilities

• Establish and confirm the identity of deceased individuals.
• Notify next of kin and secure scene safety.
• Perform external examinations and collect biological samples.
• Complete death certificates within 10 days.
• Supervise removal of bodies and transport to lab for autopsy.
• Testify at inquests or court as required.
• Prepare reports and coordinate with public health officials.
• Maintain safety, accuracy, and chain of custody.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical and detail oriented

Problem-solving abilities

Microsoft Word and Excel basics

Ability to lift 50 lbs

On-call availability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Montana POST-certified 40-hour Basic Coroner Course

Job description

Under the direction of the Coroner, the Deputy Coroner investigates sudden, unnatural, violent, or unattended deaths to determine the cause, manner, and circumstances under which a person died as required by Montana law (Montana Code Annotated).

$5 per hour for on call

$75 for call outs

$150 for travel

Deputy Coroners may occasionally be required to conduct investigations in remote or challenging locations during adverse weather events. The position involves potential exposure to biohazards.

• Establish and confirm the identity of deceased individuals.
• Notify next of kin.
• Perform external examinations of decedents
• Collect biological samples (e.g., blood, vitreous humor, urine).
• Complete death certificates within 10 days.
• Complete cremation authorizations and investigate as necessary.
• Record and preserve any personal objects or items that may be related to the cause of death.
• Secure personal property and maintain Property Records/Chain of Custody.
• Supervise the removal of bodies to funeral homes.
• Transport decedents to the Missoula State Crime Lab for autopsy.
• Testify at inquests, hearings, or court trials as required.
• Prepare and submit official reports within required deadline.
• Confer with public health officials, doctors, and law enforcement officers.
• Perform all duties and work assignments in a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound manner. Specifically, complies with the Health & Safety Program; maintains work area in a safe and orderly manner; identifies and reports unsafe conditions; reports all accidents; wears required personal protective equipment; and attends safety-related meetings, training sessions, fit testing, etc.
• Perform all duties and work assignments in compliance with quality requirements.
• Act responsibly and ethically, and in conformance with generally accepted IACME professional standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local laws and legal regulations.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Basic Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Analytical and detail oriented.
• Available [Monday – Friday; 2-day increments] or [Friday at 5:30 pm – Sunday 5:30 pm] on call.

Acceptable Experience and Training

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• While not required, experience or education in any of the following areas is preferred:
  • Death investigation
  • Medical or forensic terminology
  • Human anatomy

Training Requirements:

• Must complete a Montana POST-certified 40-hour Basic Coroner Course within the first year of employment.
• Must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years.

Required Special Qualifications

• Must possess a current Montana Driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one within a reasonable period of time after employment.
• Must be a resident of Butte-Silver Bow during employment according to Butte-Silver Bow Ordinance:
  “2.08.010 Residence during employment.
  From and after October 1, 1979, all employees of the local government of Butte-Silver Bow shall be bona fide residents within the boundaries of Butte-Silver Bow during the period of their employment by the government of Butte-Silver Bow. (Ord. 85 § 1, 1979)”
• Must pass a pre-employment background check.

The City-County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical disability, or veteran status.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate well with others.
• Sufficient vision, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to produce and review a wide variety of materials in both electronic and hardcopy forms.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate a keyboard and to make handwritten notations.
• Sufficient personal mobility, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to attend and observe the work in other offices and field work locations.

The job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities. Tasks and duties of the employee may differ from those outlined above.

ADA Accommodation Notice

The City-County of Butte–Silver Bow is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process or participate in the hiring process, please contact us.