Lead Deputy Coroner

About the Department

This position is responsible for understanding and carrying out the purpose and mission of the Marion County Coroner’s Office. The position is required to oversee death investigations and other operations related to determining a person’s cause and manner of death, particularly in cases when the individual died under unusual circumstances. The office consoles families, advocates for the deceased, and provides information to police and courts to prosecute suspected criminals. The position is responsible for cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment for our workforce to meet the needs of the decedents, citizens of Indianapolis and Marion County. This position is responsible for reviewing death investigations to assure that they meet the national standards and best practices for medicolegal death investigations. This position reports to the Administrator of Investigations.

Agency Summary  

The purpose and mission of the Marion County Coroner’s Office is to investigate and determine a person’s cause and manner of death, particularly in cases when the individual died suddenly under unusual circumstances. The office consoles families, advocates for the deceased, and supports the needs of the Criminal Justice System by providing services in Death Scene Investigations, Forensic Autopsies and by providing high standard national practices to meet the needs of the citizens of Marion County. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Duties

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for managerial oversight, leadership and coordination of overall decedent death investigations performed by deputy coroners, and other special projects.
• Provides work direction, training and supervision to the interns and new staff and coordinate work with forensic pathologist in the absence of the Administrator of Investigations.
• Responsible for the planning and implementation of the pathology and laboratory operational needs to ensure that policies, practices, and procedures are maintained according to local, state, and national standards. 
• Update, organize, and maintain all operational and investigative manuals to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and ongoing compliance with agency policies and standards.
• Monitor field investigative practices for consistency, thoroughness, and adherence to established medicolegal standards. Provide feedback and direction to deputies to sustain high-quality investigative outcomes.
• Lead and support training programs that strengthen investigative competence and onboarding processes.

• Work collaboratively with supervisors and administrators to maintain agency readiness for NAME and IACME accreditation. Monitor operational activities to ensure continuous compliance with NAME and IACME standards.
• This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminal justice, biology, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. Minimum of five (5) years of medicolegal death investigation experience, with documented field investigation and case management responsibilities. ABMDI Diplomate or Fellow certification required at the time of hire. Must obtain Indiana State Medicolegal Death Investigator Certification within one (1) year of hire as a condition of continued employment. Valid driver’s license and ability to meet agency driving requirements.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience in a medicolegal, criminal justice, or forensic operations setting. Advanced degree (Master’s) in forensic science, public administration, healthcare administration, or a closely related field. NAME or IACME accreditation experience in a coroner or medical examiner environment. Experience developing or implementing SOPs, quality assurance programs, or training initiatives. Bilingual preferred.

Other Qualifications

Essential functions are regularly performed in an office setting. Work will be performed in a forensic medical lab setting using standard and specialized forensic medical equipment.

Physical Conditions

1. Sitting at a desk, standing, and walking at scenes where they maybe occasionally dispatched to
2. Stamina to stand or walk for extended periods of time
3. Will be exposed to dead bodies, bodily fluids, infectious and contagious diseases, noxious fumes and hazardous chemicals and materials
4. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally
5. Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals