Forensic Investigator Lead

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

Our core purpose is to protect public health and serve impartial justice through forensic science and medicine. We exist to provide answers in support of families and communities during times of profound need.

The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.

Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community

Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality

Service: Lead and conduct field based operational and investigative work including death scenes, mortuary environments, laboratories, and/or other areas of the OCME’s operations.

Directly supervise the ISO investigative personnel, ensure the accuracy, completeness and quality of all investigative work products.

Monitors investigative personnel performance and caseload distribution, ensuring equitable assignment of cases and adherence to performance expectations, and timelines.

Provides regular briefings to ISO leadership on high risk, high profile or sensitive investigations, including status updates, findings and recommended corrective actions.

Develops and manages dashboards and tracking tools to monitor investigative trends, identify risk areas and highlight emerging patterns.

Conduct unannounced field inspections of OCME staff and facilities, as well as interviews with employees, law enforcement personnel, members of the public, and other relevant witnesses collecting and evaluating relevant materials and documents.

Assist in the day‑to‑day administrative management of the ISO investigative staff, including staff time and leave management, performance evaluations, training and development, scheduling, resource allocation, and coordination of unit budget, procurement, and operational needs.

Perform confidential assignments and high‑impact special projects as directed by the Assistant Chief Integrity & Standards Officer.

Assist with the drafting of investigation and case management protocols and guidance documents and collaborating with leadership to advocate for process improvements.

Remain on‑call and available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to respond to operational needs and large‑scale fatality events.

Operate a motor vehicle as required for investigative fieldwork and site inspections.

Valid driver’s license and ability to conduct field work across all the City and OCME locations is required.

Office of Chief Medical Examiner does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

***FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL.***

A four‑year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full‑time experience in one or more of the fields of accounting, auditing, correction administration, criminal justice administration and planning, forensic science, inspection, investigation, law enforcement, personnel administration, police science, and/or security, or in a major operational area of the agency in which the appointment is to be made; Demonstrated ability to manage investigative teams in a fast‑paced, 24/7 operational environment.

Comfortable responding to death scenes and operating within mortuary environments, including exposure to decedents and sensitive forensic conditions, while maintaining professionalism and composure.

Direct experience overseeing or conducting investigations involving employee misconduct, corruption, or fraud.

Familiarity with New York City government operations, interagency protocols, and coordination with oversight bodies such as DOI.

High level of discretion, sound judgment, and ability to manage confidential and politically sensitive matters.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. Department of Education’s website at

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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