Talent Pool - Investigating Coroners (Fee For Service)

Note: If you are having any issues with submitting your application, please email your application to: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.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

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.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• 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.

How do I qualify?

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, 2025.
• 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 that will be conducted on May 26th to May 30th, 2025 (inclusive). The location of the course will be at 25 Morton Shulman Avenue, Toronto. It will also require the review of pre-course training modules/videos and quizzes that must be completed successfully in advance of the mandatory course.

Kindly be aware that there is a registration fee applicable for event registration. Additionally, candidates are expected to bear the expenses related to travel, parking, and accommodation (if applicable). More information will be furnished upon the 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)

Toronto East Region
Toronto, East of Yonge Street between Steeles Avenue and Bloor Street; East of Jarvis Street between Bloor Street and Lake Ontario

Toronto West Region
Toronto, West of Yonge Street between Steeles Avenue and Bloor Street; West of Jarvis Street between Bloor Street and Lake Ontario

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; Northumberland, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Frontenac, Hastings, Lennox and Addington, and Prince Edward

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
Nipissing, Parry Sound, Algoma, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Timiskaming, Cochrane and Muskoka

Thunder Bay Region
Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, January 3, 2025 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.