Medical Examiner

Summary Serves as Department Head of the Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) and oversees medicolegal death investigations, postmortem examinations, and determination of cause and manner of death in accordance with Texas law. Responsible for the medical, administrative, and operational management of the MEO, including personnel, budget, compliance, and quality of services. Exercises independent professional medical judgment while remaining accountable to Commissioners Court as provided by law. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and perform medicolegal death investigations, determine jurisdiction, conduct or authorize autopsies, and establish cause and manner of death.
• Review medical records, investigative findings, laboratory results, and other evidence to support accurate medical determinations and death certifications.
• Authorize necessary forensic testing, identification procedures, cremation approvals, and organ or tissue procurement restrictions in accordance with applicable law.
• Establish and oversee MEO policies, procedures, quality standards, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensure proper handling, documentation, preservation, and chain of custody of evidence, specimens, and personal property.
• Oversee MEO operations, staffing needs, budget preparation, expenditures, equipment, facilities, and resource planning.
• Supervise MEO personnel, including the Lead Death Investigator, establish performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and address staffing and disciplinary matters in accordance with County policies and applicable Commissioners Court authority.
• Oversee records management, confidentiality, public information requirements, death certifications, and required reporting.
• Provide expert testimony, professional consultations, and medical opinions related to death investigations and forensic findings.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, healthcare providers, funeral homes, government agencies, and other organizations while maintaining professional independence and impartiality.
• Establish appropriate after-hours medical coverage and oversee emergency response, disaster preparedness, and mass-fatality operations.
• Ensure professional, respectful, and impartial treatment of decedents, families, employees, and the public.

Directly supervises the Lead Death Investigator and provides overall oversight of Medical Examiner's Office personnel, including work assignments, employee performance, training, and recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, and termination. Personnel actions must comply with applicable Texas law, county policies, HR requirements, and Commissioners Court authority. The Medical Examiner retains responsibility for medical determinations and statutory duties that cannot legally be delegated to other personnel. Qualifications, Education, and/or experience

• Be a physician licensed by the Texas Medical Board, or
• Be licensed and in good standing as a physician in another state, have applied to the Texas Medical Board for a license to practice medicine in Texas, and have been granted a provisional license under Texas Occupations Code § 155.101.

To the greatest extent possible, the Medical Examiner should have training and experience in pathology, toxicology, histology, and other medicolegal sciences. Experience in medicolegal death investigation, forensic pathology, and/or the administrative oversight of a medical examiner or similar office is preferred.

• Completion of an accredited residency in Anatomic Pathology or Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
• Completion of an accredited fellowship in Forensic Pathology.
• Board certification in Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Pathology or board eligibility if permitted by applicable law and county requirements.
• Professional experience in forensic pathology or medicolegal death investigations, preferably including supervisory or administrative experience.
• Current, unrestricted Texas medical license or other licensure status expressly permitted by applicable Texas law.
• Must maintain all required professional credentials and meet statutory qualifications for appointment and continued service as Medical Examiner.

Knowledge, Skills and/or ability

• Knowledge of forensic pathology, death investigation, medical examination procedures, and applicable Texas laws.
• Ability to make independent, evidence-based medical determinations and provide expert testimony.
• Ability to manage personnel, budgets, MEO operations, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional impartiality, and effective working relationships.

Benefits

At Midland County, we believe taking care of our employees is essential to building a strong community. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Employees have access to competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement through TCDRS with employer matching, paid holidays and paid time off, and income protection benefits such as life and disability insurance. Additional resources include telehealth services, an Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts, and optional supplemental coverage for added peace of mind. Our goal is to provide benefits that help employees and their families stay healthy, plan for the future, and thrive both at work and at home. https://www.co.midland.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/13004/2026-Midland-County-Benefits-Guide?bidId=