Assistant Chief Medical Examiner

Government of Alberta; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 382,000 - 467,000; Full time

Job summary

The Government of Alberta invites applications to the role of Assistant Chief Medical Examiner (Pathologist I-IV) reporting to the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner. You will conduct investigations into unexplained natural and unnatural deaths and prepare authoritative reports for court and regulatory bodies.

Based in Alberta, the position is a 3-year renewable contract with travel within the province and to support court testimony as required.

Qualifications

• Medical doctor with Board Certification in Anatomical or General Pathology.
• Subspecialist training in Forensic Pathology.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure by CPSA.
• Fellowship in Forensic Pathology considered for pre-2009 Canadian trainees.
• International credentials verification may be requested.

Responsibilities

• Investigate unexplained natural and all unnatural deaths under the Fatality Inquiries Act.
• Perform external examinations and autopsies as part of investigations.
• Prepare reports documenting cause and manner of death.
• Provide expert testimony in criminal and civil courts.
• Collaborate with Forensic Pathology team on niche cases.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Education

Medical degree

Board Certification in Anatomical or General Pathology

Forensic Pathology fellowship/subspecialization

Job description

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Job Title: Assistant Chief Medical Examiner

Job Requisition ID: 81879

Ministry: Justice

Location: Edmonton and Calgary

Full or Part-Time: Full Time

Hours of Work: 36.25

Regular/Temporary: Temporary (3-year contract)

Scope: Open Competition

Closing Date: December 4, 2026

Classification: Assistant Chief Medical Examiner (Pathologist I-IV)

About Us

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities. For more information, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is committed to the provision of high-quality services to Albertans. Activities performed enable the OCME to certify the cause and manner of death in accordance with the Fatality Inquiries Act; provide forensic service; assist and educate Albertans in time of grief; and develop and maintain a center of excellence in forensic pathology and toxicology.

Alberta’s Death Investigation System is an integral part of the Ministry of Justice, offering a fundamental and unique service to strengthen public safety and security. Our collective goal is to ensure that public safety systems are effective, efficient, robust, accountable, and responsive to the needs of Alberta’s diverse communities. As a public service, we are responsible for and committed to supporting the people of Alberta and their families in their time of need while they deal with profound grief and loss of their loved ones. We strive to improve the health and safety of Albertans as well as support the efforts to prevent future sudden and unexpected deaths in the province.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner the Assistant Chief Medical Examiner (ACME) will be responsible for conducting investigations of all unexplained natural deaths and all unnatural deaths under the Fatality Inquiries Act. The ACME will be required to perform the full working duties of a Forensic Pathologist. The ACME will complete investigations to establish the identity of the decedent to determine the cause and manner of death. This will include external examinations and autopsies as part of the investigations and preparation of reports to document the cause of death. The ACME will also provide expert testimony to criminal and civil courts. As a member of the team of Forensic Pathology Professionals, the ACME will collaborate with team members on niche cases. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigates about 20,000 deaths and performs approximately 5000 post mortem examinations (autopsies and external examinations combined) annually in the province. The investigation of deaths reportable to the OCME are conducted in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.

Qualifications

The Assistant Chief Medical Examiner will bring subspecialty training in a recognized forensic pathology training program, which is required, supported by in-depth knowledge of the medical, forensic pathology and toxicological aspects of sudden death investigations. Exceptional communication and relationship building skills are critical to developing effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders including criminal justice partners, allied medical professionals and families. Applicants must be a medical doctor with Board Certification in Anatomical or General Pathology (or equivalency) and thereafter gain sub-specialist certification or training in Forensic Pathology. For Canadian Forensic Pathologists trained before 2009, a fellowship in Forensic Pathology without Board Certification will also be considered eligible. Forensic pathology fellows currently in training are also qualified for this competition. Candidates must be licensed or eligible for licensure from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). A medical degree is required. Current Forensic Pathology Fellows who are eligible are encouraged to apply. International candidates will also be required to submit copies of certificates, diplomas, fellowships, and/or degrees to the Medical Council of Canada as part of the verification process of academic credentials.

Travel up to 25% or as required.

The Assistant Chief Medical Examiner may be required to travel within Alberta and to other provinces or territories in Canada to provide court testimony, as required, and must possess a valid driver’s licence.

The Assistant Chief Medical Examiner position is dependent on the years of experience and completion of the Forensic Pathology board certification. Salary is dependent on benefits and/or pension.

Assistant Chief Medical Examiner offers a salary range: $16,249.93 bi-weekly (Up to $424,123.17/ year) for Forensic Pathologist 1 – 4.

Notes

These are 3-year renewable contract positions based on performance evaluations. Relocation expenses may be negotiated. Other covered expenses include payment of initiation of registration fee and annual registration fee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and other professional membership fees such as the membership fees of the Royal College of Physicians and surgeons up to a maximum of $4,000.00 per year, and educational expenses to keep the registration with the CPSA up to a maximum of $4,000.00 per year. Your liability insurance (similar to Canadian Medical Protection Association fee) is covered by the Government of Alberta Insurance. There are opportunities for University appointment including a stipend for teaching and access to the e-library. Medical Examiners in the OCME may be eligible for extra compensation in the form of a lump sum payment per case equivalent completed above the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) recommended amount of 250 case equivalent per calendar year.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

This competition may be used to fill current and future vacancies within the OCME.

Interviews will take place in December 2026.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer:

Please see the attached position profile for more information on position responsibilities: Position Profile

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

It is recommended that applicants who have obtained educational credentials from outside of Canada and have not had them previously assessed, obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) https://www.alberta.ca/iqas-overview.aspx . Applicants are encouraged to include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If this competition is closed as per the closing date noted above, please continue to check http://www.jobs.alberta.ca for a listing of current career opportunities with the Government of Alberta.