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.
- Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
- Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
- Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
- Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
- Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) seeks an investigative leader to serve as the agency’s Integrity Operations Lead, supporting the newly established Integrity and Standards Office (ISO).
The ISO serves as OCME’s independent investigative and accountability body, responsible for identifying, investigating and addressing fraud, waste, abuse misconduct and other integrity related concerns across the agency’s 24/7 operations. The office is designed to strengthen organizational integrity, promote accountability and ethical conduct, identify systemic risk and vulnerabilities and reinforce public trust and confidence in the agency’s mission and operations. Additionally, the ISO works closely with the Department of Investigation (DOI) to help maintain the integrity of the Department.
The Integrity Operations Lead reports directly to the Chief Integrity & Standards Officer, or as delegated by the Chief, the Assistant Chief. The Integrity Operations Lead manages integrity investigations, field-based operations and oversees ISO investigative staff. The role requires a proven record of investigative leadership, exceptional discretion, sound judgment, along with a proven ability to work closely with city, state and federal partners and handle sensitive matters with integrity. A genuine interest in helping build and strengthen a newly established investigative oversight function, while advancing accountability, trust and organizational excellence in alignment with OCME’s CARES values is essential.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Lead, supervise and participate in field based operational oversight activities and integrity investigations involving OCME facilities, including routine quality assurance checks at death scenes, mortuary environments, laboratories, and/or other areas of OCME’s operations.
- Maintain a visible and active presence at OCME facilities on varying days and at different times to support operational oversight, promote accountability and identify potential integrity or compliance concerns.
- Manage a caseload of integrity investigations involving allegations of misconduct or other alleged integrity related infractions by OCME employees or affiliates. Conduct complaint intake and triage, interview witnesses; gather and analyze evidence; draft investigative memoranda and findings and make referrals to appropriate internal or external entities as warranted.
- Directly supervise the ISO Investigative personnel and field based operational assignments. Ensure the accuracy, completeness and quality of all field work and investigative work products and ensure timely and high-quality investigative outcomes.
- 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.
- 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 and field-based operations 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.
- Oversee the drafting and editing of investigative reports, ensuring clarity, objectivity, and adherence to agency standards.
- Utilize various databases and web-based programs and agency systems to obtain records in furtherance of investigations, and to verify and gather information.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on relevant matters involving OCME; coordinate and liase with DOI and external criminal justice agencies including district attorney offices, NYPD, and other law enforcement or prosecutorial agencies on investigations.
- Perform confidential assignments and high-impact special projects as directed by the Chief Integrity & Standards Officer.
- Assist with the drafting of investigation and case management protocols, procedures and guidance documents and collaborate with leadership to advocate for process improvements.
- Assists and leads integrity training for agency staff.
- 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.
INVESTIGATOR (DISCIPLINE) HMH - 95599
1. 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; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to conduct field work across all the City and OCME locations is required. - A minimum of five years of investigative, legal or law enforcement experience, ideally in an investigative or law enforcement agency. - Demonstrated leadership in managing complex investigations. - Willing to work flexible hours. - 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 - Experience collecting, analyzing and evaluating evidence. - Familiarity with New York City government operations, interagency protocols, and coordination with oversight bodies such as DOI. - Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to brief executive leadership, prepare investigative reports, and present complex findings clearly and concisely. - High level of discretion, sound judgment, and ability to manage confidential and politically sensitive matters - Unwavering commitment to public service, ethical leadership, and integrity in upholding OCME’s mission and responsibilities.
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
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.
