Forensic Autopsy Technician (Open and Promotional) (20705697)

Description

The County of San Mateo Coroner's Office is accepting applications for the position of Forensic Autopsy Technician.
 
Forensic Autopsy Technicians assist pathologists in the performance of autopsies where trauma, unnatural, or suspicious deaths are examined, maintain the morgue and autopsy room in sanitary and orderly condition, and provide temporary care of decedents in the custody of the Coroner’s Office.
  
The selected candidate must be available to work flexible shifts, including weekends and holidays. The current vacancy is located at the Coroner's Office Pathology Division at San Mateo Medical Center. To learn more about the Coroner’s Office, visit: https://www.smcgov.org/coroner.
 

The ideal candidate:

• Will have at least one year of experience in a hospital setting (nursing, laboratory, or health sciences), a Coroner or Medical Examiner’s Office, or a morgue.
• Is knowledgeable of human anatomy/physiology, autopsy procedures and equipment, and methods of removing organs or preparing bodies for mortuary.
• Will have the knowledge and ability to package and preserve property and evidence according to department policy and maintain chain of custody.
• Is able to effectively multitask, manage competing priorities, and work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Handle the remains of deceased persons and assist in autopsies.
• Maintain morgue and autopsy room in a clean and orderly condition.
• Maintain records and adequate inventory of all instruments, materials, and chemicals used in autopsies and surgical pathology.
• Assist in enforcing institutional rules of privacy, decorum, and cleanliness in the morgue and autopsy room.
• Maintain routine records and perform custodial duties in the morgue, autopsy room, and adjacent areas.
• Prepare bodies for autopsy by taking photographs and collecting property and evidence.
• Assist pathologists during autopsies, including opening cranium, eviscerating, and collecting specimen, and suturing and cleaning bodies after autopsies.
• Take full-body x-rays.
• Clean and wash tools and equipment used during autopsies.
• Record weight of organs and volume of bodily fluids.
• Prepare specimens for laboratory testing.
• File pathologic specimens and perform minor laboratory work.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• One year of experience in a hospital or morgue which has provided a working knowledge of hospital, laboratory, morgue, or mortuary sanitation methods and procedures.

Knowledge of:

• Policies and procedures related to the Coroner's Office.
• Hospital cleaning methods, materials, equipment, and septic and antiseptic procedures.
• Materials, equipment, and instruments used in the performance of autopsies.
• OSHA compliance rules and regulations.
• Biohazardous Waste compliance rules and regulations.
• Techniques of x-ray collection and photography including x-ray safety and best practices.

 
Skill/Ability to:

• Keep detailed records, including specimen and evidence control.
• Lift and maneuver heavy weights.
• Prioritize work and coordinate several activities.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

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 classified regular, probationary, extra-help, or limited term positions 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%). 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 San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense. 

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. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
 
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date:  Friday, February 20, 2026
Application Screening:  Monday, February 23, 2026
Panel Interviews:  Week of March 2, 2026