Forensic Autopsy Supervisor

Mecklenburg County Government; Charlotte, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecklenburg County Government is recruiting for a Forensic Autopsy Technician Supervisor in the Medical Examiner's Office. The role leads day-to-day autopsy operations, oversees staff, and drives training and staff development in a high‑volume morgue environment.

Responsibilities include supervising autopsy technicians, coordinating case assignments, and ensuring adherence to policies while supporting investigators and pathologists in death investigations.

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience performing examinations and/or autopsies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Police Science, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or equivalent.
• May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License or Vehicle Operator's Permit.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Autopsy Technicians and review performance.
• Develop and administer training programs for new hires and staff.
• Coordinate staff training, committees, and outside employment; assign cases and track workload.
• Ensure morgue safety, provide guidance to staff, and manage payroll entries.

Skills

Autopsy tools

Safety procedures

Laboratory procedures

Court reporting writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology/Forensic Science

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

SalaryRange: $57,346.00 to $86,019.00 per year. Thisis an exempt (salaried) position. Pay ratesare based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internalequity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary historyand qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for thejob.

At MecklenburgCounty, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are withsupport, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you.We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg Countybecome even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience foryourself, and a better working world for all.

The Mecklenburg County MedicalExaminer's Office (MCMEO) mission is to provide county morgue and medicalexaminer/forensic pathology services to the citizens of Mecklenburg County. TheMCMEO interacts with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies toassist in death investigations, reporting their findings on the cause andmanner of death.The MCMEO alsoprovidesconsultation andforensic pathology services to one other regional county: Cleveland.

Position Summary

Responsible for day-to-day supervision ofAutopsy Technicians, including completion of performance reviews. Responsible for developing and administering training programs for newhires, as well as technical development of existing autopsy staff.

Essential Functions

• Operate as a fully functioning Forensic Autopsy Technician performing those duties assigned to all Autopsy Techs in the Mecklenburg County ME Office (body exams, autopsy, x-rays, photographs, handling samples, intake/release of bodies, cremation assistance).
• Teach/instruct other morgue staff in methods and procedures used in the morgue.
• Coordinate and approve staff involvement in trainings, committees, and outside employment.
• Provide advice, instruction, and access to resources for other morgue staff.
• Keep Morgue staff informed of any updates in office policies and procedures.
• Assign cases to other techs and track assignments to ensure equal division of work and case types (overdose, homicide, decomposed, pediatric, etc.).
• Make work assignments for various duties in morgue (specimen prep, histology/toxicology send-out, download of photographs, x-ray archiving, facility and equipment maintenance, cleaning, etc.).
• Evaluate morgue staff and sign performance reviews for direct reports.
• Participate in hiring process for morgue staff (interview, recommend hiring, pay recommendation).
• Recommend morgue staff promotions and pay changes.
• Recommend disciplinary actions and participate in the disciplinary process.
• Coordinate body arrival by transporters working with Investigators/check-in.
• Ensure staff properly complete payroll entries.
• Coordinate and approve staff involvement in trainings, committees, and outside employment.
• Meet regularly with the Forensic Pathologist Morgue Supervisor and provide information on morgue operations and staff performance or other issues to supervisors and management.
• Coordinate assignments of staff during non-routine work events (adverse weather, disasters, mass fatality events)
• Ensure staff/facility safety and security issues brought to your attention are properly addressed.
• Coordinate random drug testing of direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience:4 years of experience performingexaminations and/or autopsies.
• Education:Bachelor’s degree in Biology,Microbiology, Police Science, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, orequivalent.
• Combination of relevant education and relevant experienceaccepted? Yes
• Licenses and Certifications:
• May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License.
• May require a valid Mecklenburg County Vehicle Operator's Permit.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience performing exam/autopsies in a Medical Examiner’s or Coroner’s Office.
• Preferred experience as a lead technician or experience in assisting with organizing a morgue and/or managing staff and case assignments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• All federal, state and local regulatory requirements applicable to vital statistics recordation, laboratory operations, public records laws and rules of evidence
• Death scene investigation procedures.
• Established laws, regulations, rules, policies and procedures governing the receipt, storage and release of bodies.
• Microscopy, toxicology, ballistics and investigative techniques as they related to forensic medicine. Knowledge of rules of evidence as they apply to the preservation of specimens from a post-mortem examination.

Skills

• Applicable forensic tools
• Applicable safety procedures
• Laboratory procedures
• Writing technical reports for presentations in court of law

Abilities

• Communicate – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
• Applied Learning – Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
• Decision Making – Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probably consequences.
• Stress Tolerance – Maintaining stable performance under pressure or opposition; handling stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization.
• Patient Relations – Meeting client’s and their family needs; using appropriate interpersonal techniques to resolve difficult situations and regain confidence.
• Formal Presentation – Presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups when given time to prepare; delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.

Computer Skills

• General knowledge in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderatenoise

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, anindividual must be able to perform, with or without reasonableaccommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals withdisabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be anall-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills,requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based onbusiness need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reservesthe right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positionsmay be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.