Forensic Pathologist

City-of-Philadelphi; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Philadelphia is seeking a qualified physician to perform specialized medical work determining the cause and manner of deaths under the medical examiner's jurisdiction. The role involves investigating violent, sudden or suspicious deaths and assessing possible criminal or negligence aspects.

The position requires interaction with families and multiple agencies, with work conducted under the supervision of a senior forensic pathologist.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited medical school and internship.
• Certification in anatomical pathology or clinical and anatomical pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
• License to practice medicine in Pennsylvania within six months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Determine the cause and manner of death in cases under the medical examiner's jurisdiction.
• Investigate violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths and assess involvement of criminal acts or negligence.
• Coordinate with families and diverse agencies, hospitals and physicians in casework.

Skills

Medical knowledge

Investigation skills

Education

Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy

Job description

This is specialized medical work in the determination of the cause and manner of deaths coming under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner. An employee in this class investigates cases of violent, sudden or suspicious deaths and determines the existence of criminal acts or negligence on the part of the person or persons responsible. The class is distinguished from lower level pathologists by the employee's increased mastery of pathology techniques and principles. 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.

ALLOCATING FACTORS (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• Positions in this class must perform specialized medical work in the determination of the cause and manner of deaths coming under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

David Ross

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone:[phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email:[e-mail]

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

TYPE OF 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.

RESIDENCY WAIVER

The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia.

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 persons receiving an identical test score. For Training and Experience evaluations, in which applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination, the residency preference eligibility date is the planned eligible list date listed on this announcement.

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence later in this form. The response on this application 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 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 Preference 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. Documentation is required. Legacy Preference may be claimed at any time before the list expires.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE

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

1. 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.

1. 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.

Candidates must submit a copy of their service letter to the staff member listed on the announcement if they wish for their eligibility to be reviewed.

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.

Candidates must successfully pass all parts of the examination before veteran’s preference, legacy preference, national volunteer service preference or CTE preference points are awarded.

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 December 7, 2026. Please note that this date may change.

CERTIFICATION RULE

Rule of the List

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.

The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards 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.

1. 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.

AND

2. Certification: Possession of a certificate in anatomical pathology or clinical and anatomical pathology as issued by the American Board of Pathology.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the degree of Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy.

NOTE: Employees with permanent Civil Service Status prior to July 1, 2026, will be waived from the certificate requirement as noted above.

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 license to practice medicine or osteopathy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued by the State Board of Medicine or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine within six months of appointment and during tenure of employment.