Assistant Chief Medical Examiner

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Job Title:

Assistant Chief Medical Examiner

Job Requisition

Ministry:
Justice

Location:

Edmonton and Calgary

Full or Part-Time:
Full Time

Hours of Work: 36.25

Regular/Temporary:
Temporary (3-year contract)

Scope:
Open Competition

Closing Date:
December 4, 2026

Classification:
Assistant Chief Medical Examiner (Pathologist I-IV)

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities. For more information, please visit:

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is committed to the provision of high-quality services to Albertans. Activities performed enable the OCME to certify the cause and manner of death in accordance with the Fatality Inquiries Act; provide forensic service; assist and educate Albertans in time of grief; and develop and maintain a center of excellence in forensic pathology and toxicology.

Alberta’s Death Investigation System is an integral part of the Ministry of Justice, offering a fundamental and unique service to strengthen public safety and security. Our collective goal is to ensure that public safety systems are effective, efficient, robust, accountable, and responsive to the needs of Alberta’s diverse communities. As a public service, we are responsible for and committed to supporting the people of Alberta and their families in their time of need while they deal with profound grief and loss of their loved ones.

We strive to improve the health and safety of Albertans as well as support the efforts to prevent future sudden and unexpected deaths in the province.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner the Assistant Chief Medical Examiner (ACME) will be responsible for conducting investigations of all unexplained natural deaths and all unnatural deaths under the Fatality Inquiries Act. The ACME will be required to perform the full working duties of a Forensic Pathologist. The ACME will complete investigations to establish the identity of the decedent to determine the cause and manner of death.

This will include external examinations and autopsies as part of the investigations and preparation of reports to document the cause of death. The ACME will also provide expert testimony to criminal and civil courts. As a member of the team of Forensic Pathology Professionals, the ACME will collaborate with team members on niche cases. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigates about 20,000 deaths and performs approximately 5000 post mortem examinations (autopsies and external examinations combined) annually in the province.

The investigation of deaths reportable to the OCME are conducted in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.

The Assistant Chief Medical Examiner will bring subspecialty training in a recognized forensic pathology training program, which is required, supported by in-depth knowledge of the medical, forensic pathology and toxicological aspects of sudden death investigations. Exceptional communication and relationship building skills are critical to developing effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders including criminal justice partners, allied medical professionals and families. Applicants must be a medical doctor with Board Certification in Anatomical or General Pathology (or equivalency) and thereafter gain sub-specialist certification or training in Forensic Pathology.

For Canadian Forensic Pathologists trained before 2009, a fellowship in Forensic Pathology without Board Certification will also be considered eligible. Forensic pathology fellows currently in training are also qualified for this competition.
Candidates must…