Field Investigator (Paid on-call) - Multiple Counties, MN

County of Anoka; Minnesota; On-site; USD 4,100 - 138,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Anoka County is seeking Field Investigators to support death scene investigations in Minnesota. Role involves assisting forensic pathologists by documenting scenes, notifying next of kin, and collecting evidence in alignment with state and federal guidelines.

Positions are part-time, temporary, and on-call across selected Minnesota counties. Candidates must reside within one hour of listed counties and hold a Bachelor's degree with relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid driver's license and a vehicle available for business use.
• Two years of job-related experience as a minimum requirement.

Responsibilities

• Respond to death scenes in a timely manner, often on an on-call basis for a specific area.
• Perform detailed inspection and take photographs of the body and surrounding area.
• Notify next of kin in a compassionate, professional manner.
• Make presumptive identification and facilitate positive identification.
• Obtain demographics and medical/social history via interviews with witnesses, family, and staff.
• Provide concise written reports documenting investigation findings; include photos and sketches as needed.
• Maintain strict chain of custody for collected evidence and property.
• Coordinate with law enforcement and other agencies on scene in a professional manner.

Skills

Two years of experience

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Posting End Date: November 5, 2026 at 11:59pm CST

Hiring range: $3.00 per hour on-call, $100.00 per scene/investigation, $20.00 per hour for planned trainings, meetings or other additional authorized time. Mileage per IRS guidelines. Advancement opportunities exist for individuals motivated to move up within Anoka County.

Come join our team at Anoka County where you can serve your community while enjoying the benefits of work-life balance!

Applications must be received by the closing deadline of 11:59 pm on 11/05/2026

Position Description

As a Field Investigator, you assist forensic pathologists by performing death scene investigations utilizing IAW Minnesota Stat.§ 390, U.S. Department of Justice Guidelines, and Medical Examiner policies/procedures. The Field Investigator presumptively identifies decedents, compassionately notifies the next of kin, and collects and documents death scene evidence so that the forensic pathologist can accurately determine the manner and cause of death.

These are part-time, temporary, non-exempt, on-call positions located within one of the following counties: Carver and Sibley Counties, Meeker and Mcleod Counties, Rice County, Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties, South St. Louis and Carlton Counties, and Wright County. Interviews will take place as applications are received for those selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Pay & Benefits

• $3.00 per hour on-call
• $100 per scene visit/investigation
• $20.00 per hour for planned trainings, meetings, or other additional authorized time
• Mileage reimbursement per IRS guidelines
• Advancement/professional development opportunities

Work Location

We are currently looking to fill these on-call positions in the following counties in Minnesota:

• Carver and Sibley Counties
• Meeker and Mcleod Counties
• Rice County
• Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties
• South St. Louis and Carlton Counties
• Wright County

Candidates must currently reside within one hour of one of the counties listed above.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to death scenes in a timely manner, often on an on-call basis for a specific area especially for unexpected deaths. Perform detailed inspection and appropriate photographs of the body and surrounding area.
• Communicate with and notify next of kin in a compassionate and professional manner
• Make presumptive identification and take steps to facilitate positive identification.
• Obtain demographics, and medical and social history by performing interviews of neighbors/friends, family, nursing staff, or primary physician including interview family and providing support in times of grief.
• Make preliminary determination of cause and manner of death at scene, determine if forensic autopsy is warranted, and assumption or declination of jurisdiction and confer with pathologist as needed.
• Assess body position, weapon position, wound types, physical postmortem changes and other pertinent factors; evaluate for consistency with scene and decedent's reported history. Ensure decedent's private property is secure prior to vacating death scene.
• Photograph and accurately document scene and circumstances. Provide concise and thorough written reports documenting investigation and findings, including photos and sketches as needed.
• Collect, inventory and package property/evidence to be removed from the scene, maintaining strict chain of custody.
• Coordinate and interact with all appropriate law enforcement and other investigative agencies on scene in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Bachelor's degree and at least two years of job-related experience.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid driver's license and vehicle available for business use.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Degree in Physical or Social Sciences or Criminal Justice or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated skill and ability to investigate, collect, interpret and report information regarding death scenes (interviews, photographic documentation, specimen procurement devices) and medical history (diagnoses, diagnostics, intervention, therapeutic accidents, prognoses, medical reference materials).
• Demonstrated skill and ability to effectively communicate and respond to; grieving/highly distraught individuals, medical commu