Supervising Deputy Coroner (Open & Promotional)

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

Please review the job brochure for details about the position.

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

The Coroner's Office promptly investigates and determines the mode, manner and cause of death of decedents under the Coroner's jurisdiction. Services are provided in an efficient and courteous manner, respecting the needs of the families involved. As of October 2025, the Coroner’s Office has moved to a brand-new location consolidating all divisions and featuring state-of-the-art forensic facilities.

About the Role

Supervising Deputy Coroners provide the highest level of professional leadership in overseeing death investigations, guiding staff, ensuring accurate case review, and upholding the integrity and standards of the Coroner’s Office. Incumbents serve as subject matter experts on complex death investigations, support staff development, and collaborate closely with partner agencies involved in death investigations.

Under general direction from the Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner, the Supervising Deputy Coroner trains and oversees staff, assigns and monitors work, and provides consultation on complex cases affecting the Coroner’s Office. The incumbent reviews and approves Coroner, medical, toxicological, and law enforcement reports to establish accurate causes of death prior to signing death certificates. The Supervising Deputy Coroner also responds to emergencies and conducts field investigations as needed, and assists in the development, implementation, and interpretation of policies and procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and supervise the day-to-day operations of the Coroner's Investigative Division
• Train and supervise staff, including assigning and monitoring work
• Serve as consultant on complex issues affecting Coroner investigations
• Assist in reviewing and approving all related Coroner, medical, toxicological, and police reports to establish true and accurate causes of death prior to signing death certificates
• Respond to emergencies and conduct investigations in the field, as needed
• Serve in an on-call capacity, with availability to respond to after-hours emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Develop and implement training programs and oversee schedules for POST training
• Evaluate performance and counsel employees
• Make recommendations on personnel issues and disciplinary concerns
• Participate in and facilitate public outreach programs, including collaborating with criminal justice and law enforcement agencies about the programs available
• Oversee administrative matters such as preparing correspondence and arranging for supplies, and assist with preparation of the budget
• Perform related duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For

• Superior interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to motivate, mentor, and develop staff
• Genuine enthusiasm for the work and a strong commitment to public service
• A positive, flexible outlook and a readiness to embrace new challenges
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to handle sensitive matters with professionalism
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and urgent issues simultaneously
• Initiative and sound independent judgment when responding to complex situations

Key Attributes

• Comprehensive knowledge of laws, regulations, and codes governing Coroner’s Office operations, including relevant criminal, civil, and probate law
• Strong understanding of supervision, staff development, and training principles
• Expertise in investigative methods, including effective interviewing techniques
• Working knowledge of human physiology, anatomy, medical terminology, and medico-legal investigation practices
• Proven ability to conduct thorough, accurate Coroner’s investigations with professionalism and attention to detail
• Demonstrated success in selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating staff
• Skilled in preparing and reviewing clear, concise investigative reports and correspondence
• Effective communicator with strong verbal and written skills
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting and moving decedents, safely and respectfully
• Demonstrates empathy and professionalism when interacting with individuals under emotional stress
• Builds and maintains cooperative, productive relationships with diverse individuals and partner agencies

Please note: Candidates must meet all requirements for Deputy Coroner status that are mandated by California Government Code Section 1031 and 1031.5

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

Step Inside: Coroner's Office

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:

1. Resume
2. Cover letter that is no more than 3 pages long and includes responses to the following supplemental questions (in this order):
3. How has your experience, training, and/ or education prepared you for the role of Supervising Deputy Coroner? Explain what you consider the essential qualities to be for Supervising Deputy Coroner and provide examples of how you have demonstrated those qualities.
4. Provide an example of a time when you supported or led a Deputy Coroner through a complex or difficult case. Describe the challenges involved, the actions you took to assist or provide guidance, and the outcome of your efforts.
5. Provide an example of how you have successfully led a team to achieve an important organizational goal. Then, describe how you model enthusiasm, competence, and commitment toward the mission and vision of your organization. Why is this important?

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