Autopsy Tech Chief

Salary: $80,745.60 - $104,998.40 Annually Location : Austin, TX Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 26-10515 Department: Medical Examiner Opening Date: 02/09/2026 Job Summary Under general supervision, assists Medical Examiners in autopsies. Supervises, directs, monitors and evaluates subordinate forensic autopsy staff. Assigns, schedules, reviews and documents work and is responsible for daily operations of morgue. Monitors safety procedures and technical protocols relating to the morgue areas and is accountable for and maintains morgue equipment, cleanliness and orderliness. Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures, monitors staff for compliance and reviews section documentation. Conducts interviews and makes recommendations for new hires. Reviews and approves leave requests, identifies training needs and assists with budget preparation. Supports morgue staff in daily operations. Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the fifth in a series of five autopsy-related job classifications within the Medical job family. Incumbents perform moderately complex duties while assisting in the performance of autopsies and supervising subordinate forensic autopsy staff. Duties require an advanced degree of initiative and independent judgment. This classification is distinguished from the Forensic Autopsy Technician in that incumbents typically are responsible for the effective daily operations of the morgue and directly supervises and supports subordinate forensic autopsy staff. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. Duties and ResponsibilitiesSupervises, directs, monitors and evaluates subordinate forensic autopsy staff. Monitors, prioritizes and makes decisions on daily work load and shift time schedules for the autopsy room. Works with the responsible forensic pathologist in the scheduling of autopsies and morgue personnel. Approves leave forms/requests and verifies timesheets. Assists in autopsies under immediate supervision and direction of the responsible forensic pathologist performing the examination. Prepares work area, opens the body, eviscerates, sutures and cleans body upon completion of autopsy by using established protocols. Assists in preparing tissue for microscopic slide preparation and the collection and labeling of specimens and evidentiary materials. Supervises all morgue activities including receipt and release of decedent's property and evidence. Maintains logs and files, and oversees access to the morgue area. Compiles and prepares statistical data and management reports for presentation, as required. Provides on-the-job training to assigned staff. Prepares and conducts staff performance evaluations and counseling, interviews and makes recommendations for hiring. Assists with developing, implementing, and revising policies and procedures. Monitors section and programs for compliance to policies, procedures, federal, state and local requirements. Oversees daily autopsy room quality assurances for all autopsy cases. Monitors safety and biohazard control measures, procedures and technical protocols relating to the morgue areas. Processes decedents for examination, including photographing, fingerprinting and obtaining radiographs. Removes, inventories and safeguards decedent's property and/or evidence. Supervises and oversees the daily cleanliness and decontamination of the autopsy rooms, morgue area and all associated equipment. Monitors and maintains appropriate supply inventory for morgue and autopsy room, including ensuring laundry functions are completed. Performs various autopsy room administrative functions, such as transporting toxicology specimens to the lab, maintaining records of stored tissue specimens, retrieving specimens as needed and ensuring proper disposition of specimens. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Minimum RequirementsEducation and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Medical Science or a directly related field AND two (2) to four (4) years experience handling bodies in a lab, hospital, morgue, mortuary or similar setting environment, including at least one (1) year of supervisory experience; OR, Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Valid Texas Driver's License. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge of: Common supervisory management principles and practices. Human medical terminology, anatomy, chemistry, biology as applied to forensic pathology. Standard autopsy room protocols and procedures. Safety and biohazard control measures and standards. Best safety practices in a morgue setting. Rules of evidence and chain of custody investigation and identification procedures. Policies, practices, and terminology used in autopsy activities. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Cleaning and sanitizing practices. File management and techniques. Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages. Business English, spelling and arithmetic. Skill in: Supervising personnel in a morgue setting. Managing a morgue operation. Adhering to stringent sanitation and biohazard control measures. Using and caring of medical equipment used in autopsies. Using photographic, x-ray and fingerprinting equipment. Maintaining morgue cleanliness, inventory and equipment preventive maintenance with little or no supervision. Recording and compiling material for reports and trials. Scheduling personnel to achieve desired outcomes. Both verbal and written communication. Ability to: Use and communicate effective safety practices and precautions. Work in morgue environment with daily contact and deal with death and human remains in various stages of decomposition, disease and trauma. Handle the psychological effects of death. Implement procedures and protocols established by the Chief Medical Examiner and Chief Administrative Officer. Follow written directions, instructions and protocols. Manage morgue operations on a day-to-day basis. Supervise subordinate forensic personnel. Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information. Follow and carryout departmental instructions. Perform in a stressful environment, while maintaining a professional manner. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public. Work Environment & Other Information Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 75-100 pounds and maneuvering cadavers unassisted in excess of 200 pounds. Requires visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination, and manual dexterity necessary to operate laboratory equipment and basic office equipment and computer. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. At times requires driving and exposure to outdoor conditions. Subject to various biological/infectious, chemical, mechanical, electrical, explosive and radiation hazards in indoors/outdoors work, and exposure to fumes, noxious odors and toxic wastes. Daily contact with biohazardous materials. Some exposure to high on job demand stress. Must possess sufficient physical strength and emotional stability to work under adverse conditions. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. Works some holidays, Works some weekends Location: 7723 Springdale Rd, Austin TX 78724 Department: Medical Examiner Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. For updates or questions on this position, contact: This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position. Benefits Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment. FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees. Credit Union Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits. Deferred Compensation Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction. Direct Deposit Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit. Employee Assistance Program Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family. Employee Organizations Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction. Employee Health & Wellness Clinic Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs. Holidays An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year. Insurance Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County. The following benefits are employee paid: Dental Vision Supplemental Life, AD&D Dependent Life Short Term Disability Long Term Disability Long Term Care New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment. Longevity Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification. On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year. Parking A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex. Personal Holidays Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins: January - March 3 personal holidays April - June 2 personal holidays July - September 1 personal holiday October - December None New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment. Retirement Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees. Sick Leave Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis. Parental Leave Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work. Tuition Refund Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily. Vacation Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates: 0 to 5 years 4.0 hours per pay period 6 to 10 years 4.5 hours per pay period 11 to 15 years 5.0 hours per pay period 16 to 20 years 5.5 hours per pay period 21 plus years 6.0 hours per pay period Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis. Workers' Compensation The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

Created: 2026-03-04