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The City of Philadelphia is seeking a highly qualified forensic pathologist for a medical examiner role. This specialized work involves determining causes of death and coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure accurate investigations.
Responsibilities include handling evening and weekend shifts as needed and maintaining high professional standards in a demanding environment. Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy with board certification is required.
As an employer, the
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The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.
Learn more here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: www.phila.gov/humanrelations
The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources (OHR) at 215-686-2350 or by email at janine.labletta@phila.gov. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant and OHR. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.
Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.
For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at 215-686-0880 or by email at hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
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This is specialized medical work in the determination of the cause and manner of deaths coming under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner. Work includes determining the existence of criminal acts or negligence on the part of the person or persons responsible and also involves assuming responsibility for activities of the medical examiner's office in the evening and on assigned weekend shifts. The class is distinguished from lower-level pathologists by the employee's demonstrated mastery of forensic pathology. Contact with families and a variety of governmental agencies, hospitals, physicians, and others in the conduct of individual cases is a significant aspect of the work.
Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level forensic pathologist. Working conditions involve disagreeable aspects, which can only be partially controlled.
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is Bryanna Nagele
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675
Phone: 215-686-2559
Fax: 215-686-0861
Email: Bryanna.Nagele@phila.gov
For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE
Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.
Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia.
Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.
To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.
If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.
As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person’s gross pay for such period, without the person’s consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.
Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.
Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.
Candidates who pass Open-Competitive exams may be eligible for additional points added to their final score. Preference Points may be claimed from the time of application until 30 days after the eligible list is established. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.
Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran’s Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires.
Ten points will be added to the scores of the children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty.
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of any candidate who has:
For Peace Corps, such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.
Such Candidates Will Have
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate’s passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.
Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.
Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation, including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out-of-class documentation, etc., and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.
An Eligible List will be established the week of 12/14/2026. Please note that this date may change.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.
College
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy, with a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy and completion of an internship in an approved hospital. Possession of a certificate in forensic pathology as issued by the American Board of Pathology.
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the