Talent Pool - Investigating Coroners (Fee For Service)

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Note: Should you encounter any issues with submitting your application or have any questions related to the position, please email:occofps.programeducation@ontario.ca

The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario (OCC) and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OFPS) is seeking physicians for appointment as Investigating Coroners. This role will afford you a unique opportunity to investigate deaths set out in the Coroners Act, including: sudden and unexpected, non-natural and those occurring in certain circumstances, institutions or occupations (e.g. in-custody, mining, construction). The role will also be responsible for contributing to the public safety mandate of the OCC/OFPS through the generation of recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in future.

*Please note: these positions are NOT considered public service employees employed by the Ontario Public Service under the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006. This recruitment posting is for on-call, fee-for-service positions funded through the OCC/OFPS, Ministry of the Solicitor General.

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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About the job

• Conduct investigations into non-natural deaths (homicide, suicide, accident, undetermined), and certain natural deaths (such as those which are sudden and unexpected; occurring in certain institutional settings; or in which there are concerns about medical care).
• Interact with families of those who have died, and provide them with appropriate and timely information about the conduct and outcome of your investigation.
• Work closely with a variety of stakeholders in death investigation, including forensic and other pathologists, forensic scientists, law enforcement personnel, Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, Ministry of Labour, and other investigative agencies.
• Complete reports of your investigations which are shared with families, law enforcement personnel, the criminal justice system and other parties as set out under relevant legislation.
• You will be provided with initial and ongoing education in death investigation, as well as ongoing supervision and mentorship by an experienced Regional Supervising Coroner.
• Experienced Investigating Coroners may apply to preside at coroners' inquests.

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory

• A licensed physician in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
• Licensed or eligible for independent practice by July 31, 2026.
• Flexibility within your work schedule to take on on-call duties (including evenings/weekends) and complete investigative reports within prescribed timeframes

Specialized Knowledge / Experience

• You have experience in the practice of medicine (primary care, or a medical or surgical specialty).
• You have a working understanding of pathophysiology and toxicology.
• You have an analytical mind, and an aptitude for problem-solving and logical thinking.
• You are able to accept supervision and direction from a senior coroner and to maintain currency with Best Practice Guidelines and other directives
• You are required to participate in initial and ongoing education in death investigation.

Communication Skills

• You have effective communication skills to interact with stakeholders, including medical and legal professionals, law enforcement agencies, and the public.
• You can demonstrate tact and diplomacy when communicating with grieving families, and maintain confidentiality regarding all investigations (coronial and criminal).
• You have effective written communication skills to prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence.
• For the Ottawa and Sudbury Regional Offices, proficiency in French is an asset.

Special Note to Applicants:

Successful applicants will be required to attend a mandatory in-person New Coroners Course, scheduled for one week in May 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed ). The course will take place at 25 Morton Shulman Avenue, Toronto. Participants must also complete online pre-course training modules, videos, and quizzes successfully prior to attending the mandatory course.

Please note that a registration fee is applicable for this event. Additionally, candidates may need to cover expenses related to travel, parking, and accommodation, if applicable. Further details will be provided upon successful completion of the interview and screening process.

For which area(s) is recruitment occurring? (Please note: under the provisions of the Coroners Act, you must be ordinarily a resident in the region in which you are appointed as a Coroner)

Central East Region
Durham and York

Central West Region
Halton, Peel and Simcoe

Waterloo Region
Wellington, Dufferin, Waterloo, Perth, Bruce, Huron, Grey and Oxford

Hamilton Region
Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Niagara and Hamilton

Kingston Region
Leeds and Grenville (Brockville); Haliburton, Hastings, and Prince Edward County

London Region
Essex, Chatham-Kent and Lambton; Elgin, and Middlesex

Ottawa Region
Lanark, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Prescott and Russell; Ottawa, and Renfrew

Sudbury Region
Parry Sound, Algoma (Elliot Lake), Manitoulin, Timiskaming, and Cochrane (Kapuskasing and Hearst)

Thunder Bay Region
Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay

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Additional information:

Note:

• This ad is also available in French.
• The number of positions to be filled has not been identified at this time. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list to fill upcoming opportunities within the next twelve months.
• Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• The successful candidate will be required to: 1) undergo a criminal record check (Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC), and 2) provide a Certificate of Professional Conduct from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) prior to being considered for appointment as an Investigating Coroner,
• The successful candidate will also be required to provide copies of government-issued identification, including but not limited to a photo driver's license, birth certificate, or passport. Additionally, valid proof of a Social Insurance Number (SIN) must be presented, either in the form of a physical SIN card or a certified record from Service Canada. These documents must be provided at the time of hiring.,
• For inquiries related to this posting, please email OCC.Inquiries@ontario.ca and quote Job ID #223923 in the subject line.

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How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.