Medical Examiner

Maricopa County; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 240,000 - 306,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid and alternative work schedule

Low-cost, high-value healthcare

Arizona State Retirement System

Job summary

Maricopa County’s Office of the Medical Examiner seeks a surgeon‑pathologist to direct medicolegal death investigations, perform autopsies, and provide expert testimony. The role requires leadership in forensic pathology, documentation of findings, and collaboration with law enforcement, public health, and the courts.

Overnight on-call duties are included. The position offers a structured on‑site role with hybrid scheduling options and a strong benefits package, including retirement and

Qualifications

• Graduation from an approved school of medicine or osteopathy.
• Must possess or be able to obtain an active license to practice medicine in Arizona by time of hire.
• Must be Board Certified in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology by time of hire.
• Board-certified in Forensic Pathology within two years of hire.
• Valid Arizona driver’s license upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform postmortem examinations to determine the cause and manner of death and produce written reports of findings.
• Review jurisdictional materials (medical records, investigative reports, lab results).
• Provide overnight on-call coverage including electronic/telephonic communications and select scene responses.
• Provide expert testimony in legal settings (depositions, court trials) and consult with attorneys.
• Participate in family conferences and provide information on investigations and autopsies.
• Educate and train internal staff and present education to medical students and residents.

Skills

Forensic pathology

Court testimony

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Medical degree (MD/DO)

Board Certification in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology

Board Certification in Forensic Pathology

Job description

Posting Date

01/30/26

Application Deadline

Open Until Filled

Pay Range

$240,000 - $306,500 annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Job Type

Unclassified

Department

Medical Examiner

About The Position

Medical Examiners in Maricopa County are charged by state statute with directing medicolegal death investigations involving cases in the public interest, including those affecting the criminal justice and public health systems. Successful applicants will be expected to direct medicolegal death investigations, perform postmortem examinations in compliance with the National Association of Medical Examiners (N.A.M.E.) Forensic Autopsy Standards, document findings in narrative reports, take overnight calls from investigations staff, and offer objective consultation and/or court testimony to outside agencies including officials representing criminal courts, law enforcement agencies, public health, and safety agencies.

About The Office Of The Medical Examiner

Join a team dedicated to providing reliable and trustworthy death investigations in our community! The Office of the Medical Examiner is a county agency charged under Arizona law to perform medical investigations of certain types of deaths. The goal of these investigations is to determine the medical cause and manner of death to help improve public health and safety. We are looking for service‑minded individuals to join our collaborative team to help the people of Maricopa County.

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work‑life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low‑cost, high‑value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on‑site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more!

We Require

• Graduation from an approved school of medicine or osteopathy

Other Requirements

• Must possess or be able to obtain an active license to practice medicine in the state of Arizona as required by the Arizona Department of Professional Regulations by time of hire
• Must be Board Certified in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology by time of hire
• Board-certified in Forensic Pathology within two (2) years of hire
• Valid Arizona driver's license upon hire

We Also Value

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a Natural Science, Criminology, or related field
• Three years of experience as a vocational medical specialist, such as corpsman/military medic, emergency medical technician (EMT), or paramedic, or as a forensic investigative specialist, such as crime scene technician or investigator
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience in forensic medicolegal investigation
• Experience working or volunteering in a Medical Examiner or Coroner's Office
• Certification in good standing as a Diplomat or Fellow of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators

Job Contributions

• Perform postmortem examinations to determine the cause and manner of death and produce written reports of findings supported by the medicolegal death investigation
• Review items related to jurisdictional cases, such as medical records, medicolegal death investigator reports, law enforcement agency reports, ancillary testing reports, and postmortem examination results
• Provide overnight on‑call coverage that includes electronic and telephonic communications and in extremely rare instances scene responses. Review and approve jurisdictional and body disposition decisions, cremation requests, and requests for organ/tissue procurement
• Provide expert testimony in legal interactions, including depositions and court trials and provide consultative conferences with attorneys
• Participate in conferences with family members, law enforcement, attorneys, and other individuals to provide information on investigations and autopsies
• Provide education and training to internal personnel such as forensic technicians, medicolegal death investigators, photographers, and other support staff assisting in the death investigation
• Present education to medical students, residents, and Forensic Pathology Fellows
• Attend seminars and lectures for continuing education in forensic medicine
• Participate in trainings and respond to mass fatality incidents
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Working Conditions

• Ability to work with decedents in a decomposed state and in malodorous conditions

Selection Procedure

• Only the most qualified candidates will be considered
• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
• Must pass a pre‑employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety‑sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply Now!