Career Opportunity

Medical Examiner’s Investigator I (2577) - Office of the City Administrator (Eligible List ID #158701)

Recruitment: RTF0158700-01090726

Published: January 30, 2026

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: Friday, January 30, 2026
• Application Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026 (11:59 PM, PST) 

About the Office of the City Administrator
The Office of the City Administrator and its 25+ divisions and departments operate core internal and public-facing services in San Francisco. 

The Office of the City Administrator’s Mission and Vision

Our vision is to lead the nation in public administration and to enable City departments to effectively deliver critical public services. We aim to help the city run better, to connect San Francisco residents and constituents to the vital public services they seek, and to create a meaningful and diverse work culture that is the place of choice for people who are invested in a career in public service.

We are committed to ensuring that the City's services are inclusive, efficient, equitable, and culturally competent for San Franciscans of all races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and sexual orientations. This commitment requires comprehensive review and thorough analysis of existing practices and policies to remove barriers to real inclusion. 

We are also committed to ensuring that the Department is a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace for individuals of all races. This includes creating opportunities for hiring, promotion, retention, training, and development, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

To learn more about our departments, divisions, and programs, visit:  https://sf.gov/departments/city-administrator.

About the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
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

Role Description

Join the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as a Medical Examiner's Investigator I, where you will contribute to the investigation of deaths under the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In this position, you will assist with death investigations and autopsies, respond to death scenes, and support forensic pathologists during critical examinations. Your responsibilities will include collecting and preserving evidence, aiding in the identification of deceased individuals, and notifying next of kin. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on your community while upholding the highest ethical standards.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

• Responds to death scenes under the jurisdiction of the Chief Medical Examiner; assists Investigator in the removal of the body from the scene.
• Assists forensic pathologist and other forensic consultants in performance of forensic examinations, including evidence collection, labeling, photography, specimen collection, dental and/or anthropology examinations, taking radiology images, and medico legal autopsy of the deceased persons.
• Assists Investigator with gathering forensic evidence and medical information; assists with examination of the body of deceased person and recording any pertinent evidence and/or items of property, examination of the surrounding vicinity, recording findings and the maintenance of chain of custody.
• Assists in the collection and preservation of clothing, physical and biologic evidence for forensic analysis, which includes, but is not limited to, gunshot residue collection, fingernail clippings, sexual assault specimen collection, collection of bodily fluids for forensic toxicology, clinical chemistry, serology and microbiologic testing; package and prepare evidence and specimens for storage or transport within a legal chain of custody; ensure proper biohazard waste disposal according to protocol.
• Assists in recording of valuables and property removed from the body during autopsy for safekeeping; assist in preparing detailed reports of investigation; assist in maintaining required records; assist in preparing clear and concise history of facts surrounding the death and/or medical history.
• Assist in enforcing and interpreting investigative/ autopsy policies and procedures.
• Assists in coordinating and conducting field investigations with other law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney, witnesses, physicians, police officers, hospitals, family members and others to obtain facts concerning the death; assists in establishing the identification of deceased persons; may notify medical examiner on-call and work with investigators from other agencies.
• Assists in locating and notifying next of kin; represents the department in contacts with hospitals, funeral directors, law enforcement agencies and others.
• Assists in cleaning and maintaining autopsy suite, scale room, body refrigeration coolers and freezers; ordering and stocking necessary supplies and equipment for proper functioning of the facility and vehicles in a manner that ensures a safe worksite free of biohazards.
• Assists in the identification of deceased person, which includes those that are badly decomposed; takes fingerprints from unidentified decedents.
• Prepares daily indigent, amended and other electronic and printed death certificates; assists with filing of death records with the Department of Public Health.
• Prepares shipment of decedents and/or indigent bodies for cremation.
• Registers the storage position of all deceased persons and inventory within refrigeration coolers; confirms the identity and legal release of all deceased persons in accordance with departmental polices.
• May testify in courtroom proceedings as necessary.
• Performs related duties as required.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of an associate degree from an accredited college or university; OR

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

3. Diplomat Certification issued by the American Board of Medico-legal Death Investigators; OR

4. One 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:
Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver's License within 30 days of hire.

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.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be willing and able to work under adverse and/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 lift dead bodies weighing 175 pounds using acceptable removal techniques.
• 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, biohazards and chemical exposure prevention, and other departmental policies and procedures.
• Must be able to comply with case confidentiality requirements of the department.

Candidates must pass the following:

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

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 in customer service including in-person interactions with customers and/or the general public
• Familiarity with autopsy examination procedures
• Experience conducting scene investigations, including evidence collection and documentation
• Experience writing investigative reports

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.

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

Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight 100%):
Candidates deemed to meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a Supplemental Questionnaire Examination designed to measure their relative knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas, which may include, but not be limited to: knowledge of Prosection examination procedures; standard procedures for gathering, analyzing, evaluating, preserving and presenting data and physical evidence; Interview methods and techniques; state and local laws governing the operations of the Medical Examiner, i.e., 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 assist with investigations and examine decedent remains under challenging conditions with possible exposure to toxic chemicals and other biohazards; promote, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and interact courteously, fairly and effectively with a variety of 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 using proper grammar and spelling; Speak clearly and concisely, and listen and elicit information to effectively interview witnesses and others related to cases.

A passing score must be achieved on 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.

What else should I know?

Physical Ability Test:

Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to pass a physical ability test including the ability to lift and remove dead bodies weighing 175 pounds from the scene of death using acceptable removal techniques.

Background Investigation:
Candidates are required to have a thorough background investigation to determine their suitability for employment in this classification. Factors considered in the investigation may include employment history, criminal records; use of illegal/controlled substances. Reasons for rejection based on this investigation may include: but not limited to: applicable convictions, repeated or serious violations of the law, inability to accept supervision, inability to follow rules and regulations, falsification of application materials and/or other relevant factors.

Medical Examination:
Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully pass a medical examination including pulmonary function tests in order to determine their ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Recurrent medical screening and tests are required. Testing for use of controlled substance maybe required. Any illegal use of controlled substances after the date of appointment is a mandatory cause for rejection. Any use of controlled substances after the date of application may be cause for rejection. Rejection for prior use of controlled substance(s) is based on the type of substance(s) used and the frequency and recency of such usage. All information submitted by candidates regarding the use of controlled substance(s) will be reviewed.

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
• 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.