Description

Providing services with efficiency, courtesy and respect.

County of San Mateo Office of the Coroner

The County of San Mateo Coroner's Office is seeking a dedicated and compassionate candidate to fill the role of Deputy Coroner.

Please review the job brochure for details about the position.

Watch below to learn more about the new location of the Coroner's Office and current openings!

Directions for applying for this Open and Promotional recruitment are provided below.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: Pass/Fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%), which may include a written exercise. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

To apply for this exciting career opportunity, the following materials must be electronically submitted online at https://jobs.smcgov.org.

If you do not have direct experience in death investigations, please describe any comparable investigative experience that demonstrates your ability to analyze situations, gather critical information, and conduct thorough interviews.

Resume.
Cover letter that is no more than 3 pages long and includes the following (in this order):
- Please provide a detailed explanation of how your professional experience, education, and training specifically qualify you for the Deputy Coroner position, as outlined in the “Ideal Candidate” section. In your response, describe the scope of your responsibilities, the settings in which you gained your experience, and how those experiences have prepared you to meet the demands of this role.
- Please provide a detailed narrative describing your experience and/or training in each of the following areas relevant to the Deputy Coroner position. For each area, explain the context in which your knowledge or skills were gained, including specific duties performed, settings worked in, and any formal training received. If you lack direct experience, describe any related or comparable experience that demonstrates your familiarity with the subject matter.
  - Knowledge of California laws governing reportable deaths and the Coroner’s role in determining cause of death
  - Criminal investigation techniques, including evidence recognition, collection, and preservation
  - Understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology
  - Experience working with bloodborne pathogens, including awareness of associated risks and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Please provide a detailed description of your experience conducting investigative work, including where and when this experience was gained. In your response, include specific examples of complex scene or death investigations you have participated in, outlining your role, actions taken, and outcomes. Describe your experience interviewing witnesses, family members, or other individuals involved in investigations.
Please describe your experience preparing written reports. In your response, detail the types of reports you have written, including the subject matter, purpose, and scope of each. Explain the context in which the reports were prepared (e.g., professional employment, internship, academic coursework) and describe how the reports were used or who the intended audience was. Be sure to highlight any reports related to investigations, medical/legal matters, or other technical subjects, if applicable.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

Final Filing Date: Friday, June 26, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST

Applicant Screening: Week of June 29, 2026

Panel Interviews: Week of July 13, 2026

About The County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

HR Contact: Lealoa Numera (06122026) (Deputy Coroner - H131)

We invite you to explore our Benefits-at-a-Glance page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you’ll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.

01

IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit a resume and cover letter with responses to the supplemental questions listed on the application. Your responses will give us additional information about your training and experience as related to this position and will be rated as part of the examination process. Be concise and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses. Failure to submit all required documents/ responses may result in your application being rejected.

Proceed to supplemental questions.

02

The Deputy Coroner position requires applicants to have graduated from high school or to possess an educational equivalent. Are you able to provide proof of graduation or equivalent (i.e., high school diploma, GED, etc.) prior to employment?

03

The Deputy Coroner position requires shift work 24 hours a day, seven days per week, including holidays. Deputy Coroners may be subject to overtime beyond the end of a shift, mandatory overtime, or coverage for unplanned vacancies or emergencies. Are you able and willing to commit to this type of work environment?

04

San Mateo County Coroner's Office is a California POST agency and requires all Deputy Coroners to obtain their Basic POST Certificate within one year of hire.

I understand that I must pass a peace officer background check and obtain your POST Certificate within one year of hire.

05

How did you learn about this position?

County of San Mateo Website
County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
County Hosted Virtual Event
County Hosted Job Fair
CalOpps.org
College/University Career Center
Community-based Organization Posting
Facebook/Instagram
Friend or Relative
GovernmentJobs.com
Indeed
Job Fair
LinkedIn
Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
X (formerly called Twitter)
Zip Recruiter
Other (Please specify in next question)

06

If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.

Required Question

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