Chief Forensic Pathologist
- Riverside County Sheriff's Department
- Perris, CA, USA
- Oct 01, 2026
Job Description
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for the Chief Forensic Pathologist in Perris.
This position will direct and coordinate the forensic pathology activities of the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator's Office; to determine the cause and manner of death of the deceased who are in custody of the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator; to testify and provide medical evidence at inquests, Coroner reviews and court trials; and to perform other work as required.
The department seeks candidates who possess a minimum of three years of experience as a forensic pathologist.
This single-position class in the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator's Office reports to a Sheriff's Captain and has primary responsibility for establishing the necessary policies, procedures, standards and controls to ensure the appropriate autopsies and toxicological and clinical laboratory examinations of the deceased are performed and complete detailed reports of findings. In addition to performing autopsies, this position directs the work of contract pathologists and department staff engaged in performing post-mortem examinations, and serves as the expert witness in court concerning the findings.This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (8) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator.
Additional Benefits
- 11% Difficult-to-Recruit differential
- Relocation pay may be available. See the policy here.
- Educational loan repayment assistance is available. See the policy here.
Meet the Team!
The law enforcement professionals of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, with a staff of over 3,600 dedicated men and women, cover the expanse of over 7,300 square miles in southern California. The Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to serving the citizens of its communities with integrity, professionalism, leadership, and loyalty and believes in service above self.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Establishes policies, procedures, standards and controls to ensure appropriate autopsies and toxicological and clinical laboratory examinations of deceased are performed.
• Performs autopsies and evaluates historical and law-enforcement investigative information to establish cause and time of death and whether death was due to a natural cause, accident, suicide, or homicide, at the hands of another other than by accident or is undetermined.
• Collects medical evidence such as trace evidence and secretions; performs chemical and/or microscopic examination of tissues and fluids, and submits samples of body fluids, tissues and other findings to laboratories for toxicology and clinical laboratory examination when analysis may be required.
• Prepares detailed reports of findings, confers with judicial and law enforcement personnel and assists in interpreting autopsy findings for the purpose of reconstructing events leading to suspected homicides or suicides.
• Signs death certificates, gives testimony at inquests, Coroner review processes, and in court trials.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates ancillary staff performing post-mortem examinations.
• Provides formal training, guidance and instructions to staff on skills related to forensic pathology, court testimony, and report writing.
• Keeps informed of current techniques, procedures and equipment in forensic pathology and initiates, conducts and coordinates special research projects.
• Maintains appropriate records related to work activities and assists in preparing the budget based on records and related information.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Working Conditions:
• Incumbent will routinely be required to attend evening meetings, press conferences, and scenes of deaths.
• Gains confidence of County staff, judicial agencies, legal representatives, the media and the public.
• Viewed as medico legal expert in Forensic Pathology.
• Demonstrates integrity and professional standards.
• Provides leadership and expertise in highly stressful or crisis situations.
• Complies with and ensures compliance of regulations and policies related to medical exams.
• Answers technical questions in appropriate format for audience whether jury or a medico legal expert.
• Establishes internal controls and effectively coordinates work activities.
• Initiates resolutions to operational problems.
For questions regarding this recruitment
Please contact Brittney Mathis at or Please allow 1-2 business days for response to general inquiries.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certificate/License
- Possession of a valid Physician's and Surgeon's Certificate issued by the State of California
- Possession of the Forensic Pathologist Board Certification
- Possession of a valid driver's license
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of modern medicine and techniques of autopsy
- statues, ordinances, regulations and medico legal issues related the to Coroner's Bureau
- current and highly specialized techniques, investigative procedures and equipment applicable to forensic pathology including the applicability of toxicology, ballistics/firearm examination, trace evidence, forensic serology, forensic anthropology, and DNA technology
- rules and regulations applicable to court testimony
Ability to:
- Perform highly skilled post-mortem examinations
- review and evaluate complex investigations, autopsy reports and other specific findings to establish the cause of death
- plan, organize and direct the activities of a staff
- communicate effectively and serve as an expert witness at court trials, inquests, and legal proceedings
- write and effectively interpret comprehensive reports
- establish and maintain effective relationships with others
Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for Riverside County Sheriff's Department is Martin Rivera.
Qualifications
State
Immediate Fill
Job Reference
Riverside County, created in 1893 from portions of San Bernardino and San Diego counties, is the fourth largest in the state of California covering over 7,300 square miles.
The law enforcement professionals of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, with a staff of over 3,600 dedicated men and women, cover this expanse of southern California and are dedicated to serving the citizens of its communities with integrity, professionalism, leadership and loyalty.
Mission Statement
In partnership with the public we serve, we are dedicated to suppress and prevent crime through the reduction of criminal recidivism; we have the responsibility for upholding both the United States and California constitutions, the reasonable enforcement of all federal and state laws or ordinances, and all required mandates of the elected Sheriff; we serve our superior courts by providing court security, service of civil processes, and the execution of lawful orders of the court; we maintain our county jails and committed inmates in accordance with state guidelines and regulations in a fair and humane manner; and we perform the legal functions of the Coroner-Public Administrator with dignity and respect for those in need of our services.
Core Values
We, the members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, fill a variety of difficult and demanding roles as we provide law enforcement and related services to our communities. We recognize that trust and support are not automatically granted but must be earned.
To achieve and maintain superior service we proudly commit ourselves to exercise and display many important values.
I. Integrity
We are dedicated to honesty and integrity in all our actions and will uphold our ethical beliefs regardless of the consequences. Our actions must be above reproach. We will:
- Demand honesty and loyalty.
- Prevent abuse of the laws and violation of civil rights.
- Promote and recognize ethical behavior and actions.
- Report and confront employees who violate laws and the basic values of the organization.
II. Loyalty
We are dedicated and loyal to the citizens of our communities, our department, and our co-workers. Above all, we will be loyal to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. We will:
- Take all reasonable steps and precautions to protect both the employees’ and the Department’s interest in incidents that present either danger or civil exposure.
- Reward and recognize those who contribute to the development of more effective ways of providing the policing service.
III. Professionalism
We will serve with honor and vitality. Our professionalism dictates critical self-appraisal and objective analysis, with a commitment to community betterment. We will maintain the position of honor entrusted to us by those we serve. We will:
- Openly discuss both ethical and operational issues.
- Promote an atmosphere that encourages reasonable risk-taking and recognizes that growth and learning may be spawned by honest mistakes.
- Recognize that it is our duty to prevent, report, and investigate crimes, and to pursue, apprehend, and prosecute lawbreakers.
- Require professional performance for all members of the Department.
IV. Leadership
We are mandated by law and public expectation to be leaders. We will lead by example and by adherence to our professional ethics and values. We will:
- Listen to and promote suggestions emanating from all levels of the Department.
- Publicly acknowledge and praise employees who excel at their jobs.
- Review and react to individual performance based upon the totality of the circumstances surrounding a decision or action.
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession...law enforcement.
Adopted. 1956. The Peace Officers’ Association
of the State of California
Correctional Deputy Code of Ethics
As a Correctional Deputy, it is my fundamental duty to honor the Correctional Deputy Code of Ethics and the Value Statement of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. By doing so, I will demonstrate the true meaning of integrity, loyalty, professionalism, and leadership.
I will always be fair in the performance of my duties, never seeking to use my authority over others unjustly. I will perform my duties without prejudice or bias. I will maintain honesty of word and deed. I will act with integrity at all times, keeping my private life unsullied as an example. I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department.
I will maintain calm in the face of ridicule and contempt, never employing more force than is necessary. I will never act officiously or permit personal feeling or friendship to influence me. I will always be aware of the safety and security of all those around me by maintaining a safe and secure environment. I will never use my position for personal gain, never accepting gratuities, nor will I exaggerate the limits of my authority.
I recognize the badge as a symbol of my profession and of the Department. I will maintain the integrity of my badge and position.
I will strive to achieve and embody the highest ideals and ethics of the Department, while always displaying the highest degree of professionalism -As a Correctional Deputy.
Martin Rivera