Forensic Investigator I

City-of-Philadelphi; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 58,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources is seeking an intermediate level Forensic Investigator to conduct investigations of deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner. The role involves contacting relatives with discretion and tact, coordinating with government agencies, and working rotating shifts.

Employees operate under supervision with increasing scope as they gain experience, and may face challenging or physically demanding situations in the course of investigations.

Qualifications

• Two years of field investigatory work or related experience.
• Demonstrated discretion and tact in sensitive investigations.
• Ability to locate relatives of deceased persons respectfully during investigations.

Responsibilities

• Investigate deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner.
• Interact with various government agencies and the public.
• Rotate shifts as required by the position.
• Conduct investigations of deaths under sudden, violent, or suspicious circumstances.
• Work under supervisory review as experience grows.
• Handle potentially undesirable situations and physical demands of investigations.

Skills

Discretion

Tactful communication

Contact with public

Education

High School / GED

Associate degree (optional)

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

This is intermediate level field and related office work conducting investigations of deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner. Work involves a considerable amount of contact with other governmental agencies and the public and the exercise of discretion and tact in locating relatives of the deceased in the conduct of investigations of deaths under sudden, violent or suspicious circumstances. The nature of the work is such that any employee in this class is required to work on a rotating shift basis.

Employees work under the supervisory review of a higher level investigator in which assignments expand in complexity and scope as employees gain experience. Employees are frequently exposed to undesirable situations and occasional heavy physical effort in the investigation of cases.

The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is:

Nashe’ Colmon, M.S

Human Resource Professional 2

City of Philadelphia - Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Boulevard, Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102

[t] 215-686-2351

[e] [e-mail]

For all other inquiries, please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880or [e-mail]

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.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment. Establishment of residency in Philadelphia will be required no later than one (1) year after appointment

PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS

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.

INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE

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.

PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS

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.

U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

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.

LEGACY PREFERENCE

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.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE

Up to 5 points will be added to the score of any candidate who has:

• Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points.
  • 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.
• Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
  • Such candidates will have:
  • 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
  • 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
  • 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
  • 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE

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.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION:

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 11/23/2026. Please note that this date may change.

TEST REVIEW

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.

HIGH SCHOOL/GED

The following statement represents the minimum training and experience requirements which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.

OPTION 1:

1a. EDUCATION: Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

1b. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience in field investigatory work.

AND

1c. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE: One year of experience conducting field investigations of sudden or unusual deaths.

OR

OPTION 2:

2a. EDUCATION: Completion of an associate’s degree program from an accredited college or university in any field of study.

AND

2b.GENERAL EXPERIENCE: One year experience conducting field investigations of sudden or unusual deaths.

OR

OPTION 3:

3a. EDUCATION: Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.

AND

Successful completion of an internship at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which shall have been determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six months of appointment and during tenure of employment as a Forensic Investigator 1.

TRANSCRIPT, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates MUST submit a copy of their official college or university transcript(s) indicating completion of the educational requirement and all required licenses, registrations or certifications at the time of application. Transcripts MUST indicate conference of the appropriate degree. Candidates with a degree from foreign colleges or universities must submit proof of degree as certified by a professional evaluation service.

Candidates MUST submit a copy of their license, registration or certification.

If you have ever submitted a paper transcript, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must submit another document

Nashe’ Colmon, M.S

Human Resource Professional

City of Philadelphia -Office of Human Resources

1401JFKBoulevard, Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102

[t] 215-686-2351

[e] [e-mail]