SUPERVISING FORENSIC TECHNICIAN

About The Medical Examiner

The Department of Medical Examiner investigates and determines the circumstances, manner, and cause of all violent, sudden, or unusual deaths occurring within Los Angeles County. In 2024, approximately 18,000 deaths were reported to the Department, and we investigated 11,452 of those cases. Each year, we conduct thousands of postmortem examinations, including full autopsies, partial autopsies, and external examinations. This level of activity, along with the complexity and sensitivity of the cases handled—including numerous high-profile investigations—makes the Department one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated medical examiner's offices in the world. Our work is supported by advanced tools such as postmortem X-ray and CT imaging, which enhance our ability to determine cause and manner of death with accuracy and precision.

Essential Job Functions

What will I do as a Supervising Forensic Technician?

• Supervises subordinates (e.g., Forensic Technicians I and II) by assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; ensuring adherence to schedules and standards; providing training, coaching, and mentoring; conducting staff meetings; and interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures (e.g., PPE, CA Gov. Code27491, Rules of Evidence).
• Oversees forensic examinations and services performed by Forensic Technicians including autopsies, evidence collection, identification procedures, imaging (X-ray/CT), and photography; ensures recognition, preservation, and documentation of evidence; maintains cleanliness and operational readiness of the facility; and orders supplies and monitors inventory.
• Performs complex and high-profile forensic examinations by preparing decedents for autopsy (e.g., verifying identity, retrieving remains, and setting up equipment); assisting pathologists in autopsy procedures (e.g., opening body cavities, excising organs, and collecting specimens); collecting biological samples for toxicology; recording organ and fluid weights; obtaining fingerprints; collecting, labeling, and preserving evidence and personal property; performing photography and radiography; and completing post-autopsy procedures (e.g., suturing, cleaning, and return of remains to storage).
• Prepares written documentation including evidence logs, receipts, and reports by compiling, organizing, and entering case information into computerized systems.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders including staff, supervisors, law enforcement, government agencies, and medical professionals; provides information and testimony in judicial and administrative proceedings as required.

Requirements

One year of experience at the level of Forensic Technician II. Experience at the level of Forensic Technician II is defined as, under general supervision, photographing decedents and specimens; assisting pathologists with complex autopsies using a variety of techniques to preserve medico-legal evidence; preparing decedents for autopsy examination and final disposition; receiving, identifying, and releasing decedents; and performing other forensic technician duties as required. You may still qualify even if your job title isn't exactly the same as the one listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level — meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.

License

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class

Physical Class 3 – Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

Assessment Process

Once we have identified that you meet our requirements, an invitation for the following assessment process will be sent: This examination will consist of a multiple-choice and/or simulation assessment worth 100%, assessing: Management Potential, Working to High-Quality Standards, Responsibility, Achievement, Willingness to Learn, Accepting Others, Showing Courtesy, Working Relationships, Analyzing Information, Learning Quickly, Compliance with Rules and Regulations, Adapting to Change, Controlling Emotions, Working Energetically, and Reading Comprehension. Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the list. Multiple choice and/or simulation assessments are not reviewable by candidates per Civil Service Rule 7.19.

If you have taken identical components recently for other exams, your responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam.

Test Preparation

We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary. Various information can be found on our website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/. The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance." Online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests. An online preparation guide is available at https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/1181885_True-to-LifeLeaderSJTPrepGuide.pdf (Download PDF reader).

Eligibility and Vacancy Information

Applicants who pass the assessment are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of six (6) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Department of Medical Examiner as they occur.

Available Shift

Any

Application and Filing Information

Applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Monday, August 3, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. (PT). Applications received after 5:00 p.m. (PT) will not be considered.

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part.

Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail: info@governmentjobs.com, talentcentral@shl.com, noreply@governmentjobs.com, noreply@proctoru.com, donot-reply@amcatmail.com, vsanchez@hr.lacounty.gov, ealcazar@hr.lacounty.gov.

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to https://www.governmentjobs.com/ and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying. For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county. All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's login information may erase a candidate's original application record.

Testing Accommodation

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov
Testing Accommodations Phone: (213) 441-3150
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099
Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

Department Contact Name: Valentina Sanchez
Department Contact Phone: (213) 349-8031
Department Contact Email: VSanchez@hr.lacounty.gov
Exam Number: P4889B-R