Career Opportunity

Medical Examiner’s Investigator II (2578) – Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Office of the City Administrator – (Eligible List ID #155763)

Recruitment: RTF0155762-01152333

Published: March 24, 2025

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:

• Application Opening: Monday, March 24, 2025 
• Application Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2025 (11:59 PM, PST) 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is responsible for the medicolegal investigation and the certification of the cause of death and the manner of death for only those deaths under our jurisdiction (sudden, unexpected, or violent deaths); such as deaths outside a hospital or the care of a physician, accidental drug overdose, or suspected suicides or homicides.

We are driven by a deep sense of purpose to:

• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, excellence, and empathy in conducting forensic investigations to determine the cause and manner of death within our jurisdiction;
• Deliver impartial forensic services that benefit both the community and the justice system; and
• Provide data to inform public health initiatives

Ultimately, we seek to bring closure to decedent families and their loved ones.

Role description

As a Medical Examiner’s Investigator II, you will play a key role in conducting investigations and determining the cause and manner of death in cases under OCME jurisdiction by performing duties including retrieving decedents and removal of decedent's body, securing evidence, identifying decedents, notifying next-of-kin, and taking a lead in medicolegal investigations while upholding ethics standards. You will have the opportunity to not only be a champion for the decedents, but for their families, your community, and the justice system.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

• Responds to death scenes coming under the jurisdiction of the Chief Medical Examiner, including difficult, sensitive and/or complex cases. 
• Removes and/or authorizes removal of decedent body from the scene. Decedent body removal involves physically lifting decedent body with a partner in a variety of locations throughout San Francisco, including buildings with inoperable elevators, small dwellings, or in public view. Decedent body may be in different states of composition during removal.   
• Conducts field investigations; interview witnesses, physicians, police officers, family members and others to obtain facts concerning the death; establishes identification of deceased person; notifies medical examiner on-call, and work with investigators from other agencies.
• Gathers forensic evidence and medical information; examines the body of deceased persons and records any pertinent evidence; examines the surrounding vicinity and records findings; maintains chain of custody to preserve evidence.
• Takes charge/possession of and record valuables and property removed from death scene for safekeeping and compliance with office booking protocols.
• Drafts and completes detailed investigative reports of the death investigation and other official activities; maintains required records; prepares reports that are clear, objective and include a concise history of facts surrounding the death and/or medical history (using office report template); compiles reports with proper grammar use and correct spelling; compiles special statistical reports.
• Enforces and interprets investigative policies and procedures and assists in developing or revising methods and policies regarding investigative matters.
• Coordinates investigations with other law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney, attorneys, physicians, hospitals and others.
• Locates and notifies next of kin; represents the department in contacts with hospitals, funeral directors, law enforcement agencies and others.
• Assists in the development and implementation of training programs for investigative/autopsy staff.
• Maintains a clean work environment; keeps vehicles and equipment in a safe and clean condition.
• Testifies in court proceedings as necessary, may appear as a witness in civil and criminal proceedings.
• Performs related duties as required.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of one of the following:

a. An associate degree from an accredited college or university; OR

b. A current valid embalmer's license issued by the California State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers; OR

c. Diplomat Certification issued by the American Board of Medico-legal Death Investigator;

AND

2. One (1) year of verifiable experience in medical, nursing, medical examiner, coroner, emergency medical technician or paramedic, autopsy, sworn peace officer, or investigative field.  Investigative field experience includes researching information, interviewing individuals, and preparing detailed written reports for law enforcement, governmental, or other related agencies.

License and Certification:

1. Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver's License within 30 days of hire; AND

2. Must possess a certificate or successfully complete a basic P.C. 832 course (Peace Officer Firearms and Arrest Procedures) within one year of employment; AND

3. Must possess a certificate or successful completion of P.O.S.T. Basic Coroners Academy/Death Investigation Course within one year of employment; AND

4. Must possess a Diplomat Certification issued by the American Board of Medico legal Death Investigators within one year of employment.

Substitution:

One (1) additional year of qualifying experience may substitute for the required associate degree, CA State embalmer’s license, or Diplomat certification.

Note(s):

• One-year full-time employment is considered equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
• A valid out-of-state driver’s license is acceptable during the application process. A valid California driver's license must be obtained prior to appointment and maintained throughout employment.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualification requirements by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Desirable Qualifications: 
The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring. 

• Experience with removal and transport of decedent bodies.

Verification:
Please make sure it is clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications. Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Note: Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores. Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Additional Requirements:

• Willing and able to lift dead bodies weighing 175 pounds using acceptable removal techniques.
• Must be willing and able to work under adverse or hazardous conditions, involving frequent exposure to sudden, unexpected and sometimes violent deaths, decomposed bodies, bodies with extensive physical injuries; biohazards, unpleasant odors or conditions.
• Must be willing and able to work 24 hours rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to type 25 wpm within six months of employment.
• Willing and able to complete a pulmonary function test and be fitted for an N-95 respirator.
• Willing and able to wear Personal Protective Equipment and respirators.
• Ability to comply with departmental policies regarding blood-borne pathogens, radiation safety, biohazard and chemical exposure prevention, and other departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to comply with case confidentiality requirements of the department.
• Ability to pass review of Judicial and Driving Records (Fingerprinting)
• Ability to pass employment, character and background investigation, including polygraph examination and psychological examination.
• Basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and forensic pathology terminology.
• Knowledge of investigative practices and procedures.

Candidates must pass the following:

• Physical ability to lift dead bodies weighing 175 pounds to remove them from the scene of death using acceptable removal techniques;
• Review of Judicial and Driving Records (Fingerprinting);
• Employment, Character and P.O.S.T Background Investigation;
• Polygraph and Psychological Examination; AND
• Medical Examination including pulmonary function test and drug screen.

What else should I know?

Selection Procedure/Examination Requirements
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Lift Test (Pass/Fail):
Based on the physical requirements for the position, candidates will be required to pass a physical ability test. Candidates must possess the physical ability to lift dead bodies weighing 175 pounds in order to remove them from the scene of death using acceptable removal techniques. Candidates who are unable to complete the physical ability portion of this exam will be disqualified.

Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight 100%):
Candidates that pass the lift test will be invited to participate in a supplemental questionnaire evaluation designed to measure their relative knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas, which may include, but not be limited to: knowledge of investigative practices and procedures; standard procedures for gathering, preserving and presenting data and physical evidence; interview methods and techniques, including interviewing witnesses, families, and next of kin in challenging (emotional, stressful) environments; basic human anatomy, physiology and forensic pathology terminology; state and local laws governing the operations of the Medical Examiner, such as Government, Penal, Health and Safety Codes, Estate administration law, etc.; methods and procedures utilized in working with potentially hazardous biological and/or chemical materials; and ability to conduct investigations and examine remains of the deceased under unpleasant conditions with possible exposure to toxic chemicals and other biohazards; gather, analyze, evaluate and preserve evidence; interact courteously, fairly and effectively with individuals and groups from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; and remain calm under emergency and emotional situations; write reports and correspondence in a clear, concise, well-organized and effective manner with proper grammar and correct spelling; use computers and applicable software programs; learn and use OCME case management system; interviewing witnesses, families, and next of kin in challenging (emotional, stressful) environments; perform strenuous physical activities including lifting and moving dead bodies; operate a motor vehicle.

A passing score must be achieved on both the Lift Test and the Supplemental Questionnaire in order to be ranked on the eligible list.

Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see: https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/Forms-Documents/Position-Counts-by-Job-Codes-and-Department-FY-2022-23.pdf.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at rosalie.platzer@sfgov.org.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.