The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.
Our core purpose is to protect public health and serve impartial justice through forensic science and medicine. We exist to provide answers in support of families and communities during times of profound need.
The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.
- Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
- Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
- Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
- Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
- Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs
Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Forensic Operations oversees the activities of autopsy operations under the auspices of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME); performs related work. Typical tasks include the following:
- Manages schedule and timekeeping
- Assists in training less experienced Forensic Autopsy Services Unit (FASU) staff
- Assists with developing and maintaining protocols
- Assists in peer reviews of case work
- Assists in the hiring process
- Participates in the training and assignment of FASU staff.
- Supervises inventory levels of all FPCs to ensure appropriate stock is maintained.
- Assists in maintaining a high level of quality control in autopsy operations
- In the absence of the Assistant Director of Forensic Operations may perform the duties of that position
- Completes complex and varied tasks required to assist a medical examiner in an autopsy exam.
- Assists medical examiners with all aspects of the postmortem examination including evisceration, dissection and restoration of the body
- Weighs remains, lifts remains onto autopsy table, and assists Medical Examiners in all autopsy procedures.
- Takes fingerprints of remains before, during, or after autopsy.
- Coordinates with faculty to support the training of fellows, residents, medical students, and other personnel
- Works with medical examiners and pathology coordinators to arrange and assist with specialized examinations (i.e.. Neuropath & cardio pathology)
- Performs advanced fingerprint and identification techniques
- Oversees the work of FASU staff and staff assigned to autopsy
- Holds staff meetings to resolve FASU issues as needed.
- Evaluates staff performance as needed.
- Supervises City Mortuary Technicians, Forensic Mortuary Technician I, Forensic Mortuary Technician II, and autopsy operations as needed
- Works with supervisors and management to develop and implement autopsy operations and FASU SOPs
- Participates in the training and assignment of FASU staff.
- Verifies recorded information in CMS (i.e. personal property)
- Handles any administrative issues that arise involving the agency and communicates with leadership as necessary for direction.
- Prepares reports and keeps records.
- Liaises with Health and Safety Officer
- Required to operate a motor vehicle
- Perform autopsy equipment maintenance and accountability
- Ensures records and FASU logs are reconciled and correct.
- Prepares Incident Reports, Schedules and Statistics as needed.
- Ensure the autopsy suites are properly stocked
- Ensure that the autopsy suites are operationally prepared at all times
- Ensures inventory remains at or above established par levels and submits requests on regular schedule to maintain par levels, as needed.
- Performs all City Morgue Technician duties, Forensic Mortuary Technician I duties and Forensic Mortuary Technician II duties as needed.
- Performs other duties as required.
FORENSIC MORTUARY TECHNICIAN-C - 5204A
Minimum Qualifications
Qualification Requirements
A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in mortuary and/or autopsy work.
For Assignment to Level II
In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" described above, to be assigned to Assignment Level II candidates must have one additional year of the experience described above, for a total of two years of experience.
For Assignment to Assignment Level III
In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" described above, to be assigned to Assignment Level III candidates must have three additional years of experience as described above, for a total of four years of experience; two years of the experience must have been in a supervisory capacity, e.g., at Assignment Level II.
Preferred Skills
- Postmortem care specialist - Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Outlook and Word processing and spreadsheet applications - Ability to provide support to staff when issues arise relating to CMS - Must be highly organized and possess excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills and have supervisory experience covering multiple disciplines
55a Program
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
