Forensic Technician 1

City-of-Philadelphi; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Philadelphia is seeking a Forensic Technician 1 to perform post-mortem preparation, body handling, and custodial tasks under the supervision of a pathologist and technical supervisor. The role involves processing and dissecting human cadavers and supporting the morgue team on assigned shifts.

Candidate requirements include at least a high school diploma or equivalent, plus experience in dissection or morgue settings.

Qualifications

• One year of experience dissecting human bodies under professional supervision.
• Knowledge of anatomy and morgue procedures is preferred.
• Familiarity with forensic pathology lab workflows is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Dissecting human bodies and assisting in post-mortem examinations under supervision.
• Transporting, handling, and storage of cadavers; maintaining cleanliness of work area and equipment.
• Performing custodial tasks to ensure a safe, sanitary morgue environment.

Skills

Dissection experience

Anatomy knowledge

Morgue procedures

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

30 college credits with anatomy/biology/forensic science

Job description

This is technical forensic work at the full performance level processing and dissecting bodies and participating in post mortem examinations under the expertise of a pathologist. Employees in this class retrieve, transport, store and release bodies as part of the processing of cadavers and perform a variety of custodial tasks to ensure the cleanliness of the work area and care of equipment. Employees work on assigned shifts.

Work requires moderate physical effort and involves conditions which can only be partially controlled in that employees are exposed to contaminated and decomposed cadavers. Work is performed under the supervision of a pathologist or technical superior.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Bryanna Nagele

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 215-686-0880 or email [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 WAIVER

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

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.

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.

PROJECTED EXAM DATE:

This computer-based examination will be scheduled for the week of 11/09/2026. Please note that this examination date is subject to change.

Candidates will need access to a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and internet access to take the examination. Candidates will need to be able to operate computerized software proficiently and independently.

If you do not have access to a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and internet access, or cannot operate computerized software proficiently and independently, please contact Bryanna Nagele at [e-mail], and alternative arrangements will be made for you to take this examination.

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 9.091B, candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file appeals to the key answers. Call 215-686-0880 if you wish to schedule a Test Review.

High School/GED

ANTICIPATED ELIGIBILITY

Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements within 3 months of the application deadline will be admitted to this examination. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list but may not be hired or promoted until all requirements have been satisfied.

Option 1:

1. EDUCATION:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

2. GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

One year of experience dissecting human bodies, under professional supervision in a morgue or forensic pathology laboratory.

Option 2:

1. EDUCATION:

Completion of thirty (30) credits which has included coursework in anatomy, biology, forensic science, mortuary science, or pathology.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience 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 Technician 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.

Option 1 - Upload a paperless transcript, license, registration or certification – One time only!

You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application. Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future, and you will be assured that your transcript cannot be misplaced.

Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.

Option 2 – Submit a paper transcript, license, registration or certification

If you submit a paper copy of a transcript, license, registration or certification, the document will be used for this application only. You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.

Mailing address for paper transcript and other required materials

Bryanna Nagele

City of Philadelphia

Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]