Forensic Pathology Technician

Job Information
Job Title: Forensic Pathology Technician
Job Requisition ID: 77066
Ministry: Justice 
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full-time 
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: One (1) permanent position and one (1) wage opportunity.
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: November 24, 2025
Pay Grade: Technologies 4 
Salary: $2,442.94 to $3,199.46 bi-weekly ($63,760 - $83,505/year)

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit:

Alberta Justice helps ensure all Albertans can live in safe and resilient communities while having access to a fair and innovative justice system. Working alongside its partners in law enforcement, family justice, health, the judiciary, the criminal justice system and other stakeholders, the ministry has a direct or shared responsibility in all elements of the justice system in Alberta. Follow this link to find out more about our department  

The staff members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are committed to the provision of high quality services to Albertans. Activities performed enable the Office to certify the cause and manner of death in accordance with the Fatality Inquiries Act; provide forensic service, assist in educating Albertans in time of grief; and develop and maintain a center of excellence in forensic pathology and toxicology.

Information regarding the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner can be found by visiting our website at:  

The Forensic Pathology Technician is responsible for the technical aspects of the operation of the morgue in the Medical Examiner's Office. This includes admission and release of bodies from the morgue, the preparation of bodies for positive identification, the preparation of bodies for autopsy or external examinations, the evisceration of bodies and weighing of organs during the autopsy, the collection of appropriate specimens, cleaning of workstations and the overall morgue maintenance.

Position Overview: 

• Performs timely and accurate admission of decedents to the morgue in order to organize the daily workload.
• Provides technical support to determine positive identification of decedent.
• Performs, processes and stores post-mortem x-rays both routinely and in consultation with medical examiners(i.e, forensic pathologists). 
• Assists medical examiners during external examinations to ensure all information necessary to the case is obtained. 
• Performs autopsies in order to assist medical examiners with gathering information needed for case investigation.
• Performs clean up duties, sanitizing, and resets stations with sharpened tools after each autopsy/external exam.
• Releases all bodies from the morgue to stakeholders/funeral homes in order to accommodate families and facilitate storage requirements.
• Performs the collection of and arranges proper transfer of toxicological, microbiological, and other specimens to appropriate laboratories to ensure samples are received in a timely manner for testing requested by medical examiners.
• Enters information into the database accurately and in a timely manner.
• Completes administrative duties and tasks assigned from supervisor.
• Participates in supervising observers and students to ensure safety precautions are upheld and promotes educational programs.
• Teaches students' autopsy evisceration technique and procedure.
  
  

The successful candidate will:

• Have knowledge of contents of Sexual Assault Kits and Firearm Primer Residue Kits in the collection of evidence during homicide/criminal cases.
• Have knowledge of specialized techniques that must be developed in order to properly extract toxicological specimens from decomposed, putrefied maggot infested bodies, children, mutilated injured bodies and high-risk cases.
• Have knowledge of the internal human anatomy that is essential in order to recognize any abnormal artifacts and relay this information to the Pathologist/Medical Examiner.
• Have knowledge in the ability to perform autopsies, external examinations, extraction of toxicological specimens, and development of specialized techniques.
• Comply with the current workplace health and safety, and respectful workplace policies.
• Have knowledge of the Fatality Inquiries Act and FOIP.
• Possess clear and concise communication skills as this is required for direct interaction with the Medical Examiner, Medical Investigators, Police personnel, funeral homes and internal staff members.
  
  

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:

• Systems Thinking: Able to understand the broader impact of your work and to anticipate outcomes  
• Build Collaborative Environments: Contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Agility: To anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Drive for Results: Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress.

A two-year technical diploma in medical or biology related field plus a minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a health/medical field is required. (e.g.: Forensic Assistant/Technician, Nursing, Paramedic, etc.)

Equivalencies will be considered: Degree and a minimum of two (2) years related experience,  Certificate and a minimum of three (3) years related experience.

Required:

• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite (365) including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Please outline how your experience as it relates to the qualifications in detail in your cover letter.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Your written ability will be assessed through your cover letter. 
  
  

Asset:

• Previous front line health/medical occupation experience. (Forensic Assistant/Technician, Paramedic, Nurse LPN/RN, etc.)
• Previous necropsy experience.
• Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
Refer to

Hours of work:  Monday – Friday, 7.25 hours – Shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m hours/week) (All shifts will be determined by the supervisor).  (There may be times that you could be required to work statutory holidays.)

Positions Currently available: One (1) permanent position and one (1) wage opportunity.
This competition maybe used to fill future vacancies in the Edmonton Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Location: Medical Examiner Building –7007 – 116 Street, Edmonton,  Alberta T6H 5R8.

Final candidates will be asked to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service -  working-for-alberta-public-
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - 
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - 
• Professional learning and development - 
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – 
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work (hour) arrangements.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service ) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information ).

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Krista Lammie