Forensic Autopsy Tech I

Summary

Salary: $55,591.91 Annually
Location : 7723 Springdale Road, Austin, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-10883
Department: Medical Examiner
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 11:59 PM Central

Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Autopsy Chief Tech, assists with body intake and release, body processing, evidence collection, ordering and storage of supplies, autopsies and external examinations, and maintaining cleanliness and upkeep of the morgue.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the first in a series of four autopsy-related job classifications within the Medical Examiner job family. Incumbents perform routine duties while assisting in the performance of autopsies. Duties require a moderate degree of initiative and independent judgment. It is distinguished from the Autopsy Tech Chief in that incumbents have no formal supervisory responsibilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in autopsies under immediate supervision and direction of the responsible forensic pathologist performing the examination. Prepares the work area, opens the body, eviscerates, sutures and cleans the body upon completion of the autopsy by using established protocols. Assists in preparing tissue for microscopic slide preparation and the collection, packaging, and labeling of specimens and evidentiary materials. Assists with collection and packaging of cultures and any associated paperwork.
• Processes decedents for examination, including unclothing the decedents, cleaning the decedents, and photographing, fingerprinting and x-raying the decedents.
• Removes, inventories, and safeguards decedent's property and evidence.
• Receives, tags, and documents incoming bodies.
• Reviews autopsy orders and body release forms for accuracy and completeness.
• Maintains cleanliness and decontamination of the morgue and its associated equipment.
• Collects and safeguards physical evidence at the discretion of the pathologist.
• 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.
• May perform any of the following: some morgue and lab administrative duties including filing; driving body-transport vehicle to transport decedents from hospitals or other locations to the medical examiner's office; perform laundry functions; receive and release decedents, clothing, personal property, and evidence to the appropriate agencies or persons, and prepares reports for same. .
• Assists in maintaining the morgue's body census, and assists in the timely release of bodies from the morgue.
• Maintains confidentiality on information on all cases.
• Understands and uses proper chain-of-custody practices.
• Has the ability to use digital dental x-ray and digital body x-ray equipment and its associated software.
• Accurately enters data into the medical examiner office's computer program.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:

Associate's degree with emphasis on the medical sciences such as chemistry or biology AND one (1) year experience in a medical or laboratory environment;
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 the job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Medical terminology and human anatomy as related to morgue activities.
• Autopsy procedures and practices.
• Safety procedures and practices in a morgue setting.
• Modern office/clerical practices, procedures and methods.
• Principle and procedures of record keeping.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, databases, and a variety of software packages.
• English, spelling, and arithmetic.
• Unit's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Department's casework software.
• Evidence collection and proper chain-of-custody techniques.
• Departmental policies and procedures.

Skill in:

• Autopsy procedures and practices, including evisceration.
• Using and caring of autopsy room equipment.
• Maintaining morgue cleanliness, inventory and equipment preventive maintenance with little or no supervision.
• Recording and compiling material for reports.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Work in morgue environment with daily contact with decedents, including those in a decomposed state.
• Handle the psychological effects of death.
• Work effectively with pathologists in the conduction of autopsies.
• Follow written directions and instructions, and carry out departmental instructions.
• Operate x-ray, dental x-ray, photographic, and fingerprinting equipment.
• 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 job stress. Must possess sufficient physical strength and emotional stability to work under adverse conditions.

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.

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: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Works some holidays and weekends as needed.

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.
01

Do have experience working in a fast-paced environment?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you ever worked in a morgue, funeral home, or hospital?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have experience/education with photography?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience/education in anthropology?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience/education in forensic sciences (fingerprinting, evidence collection, crime scene, etc.)?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have experience/education in biomedical sciences, biology, or anatomy?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Job Description

Salary: $55,591.91 Annually
Location : 7723 Springdale Road, Austin, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-10883
Department: Medical Examiner
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 11:59 PM Central

Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Autopsy Chief Tech, assists with body intake and release, body processing, evidence collection, ordering and storage of supplies, autopsies and external examinations, and maintaining cleanliness and upkeep of the morgue.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the first in a series of four autopsy-related job classifications within the Medical Examiner job family. Incumbents perform routine duties while assisting in the performance of autopsies. Duties require a moderate degree of initiative and independent judgment. It is distinguished from the Autopsy Tech Chief in that incumbents have no formal supervisory responsibilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in autopsies under immediate supervision and direction of the responsible forensic pathologist performing the examination. Prepares the work area, opens the body, eviscerates, sutures and cleans the body upon completion of the autopsy by using established protocols. Assists in preparing tissue for microscopic slide preparation and the collection, packaging, and labeling of specimens and evidentiary materials. Assists with collection and packaging of cultures and any associated paperwork.
• Processes decedents for examination, including unclothing the decedents, cleaning the decedents, and photographing, fingerprinting and x-raying the decedents.
• Removes, inventories, and safeguards decedent's property and evidence.
• Receives, tags, and documents incoming bodies.
• Reviews autopsy orders and body release forms for accuracy and completeness.
• Maintains cleanliness and decontamination of the morgue and its associated equipment.
• Collects and safeguards physical evidence at the discretion of the pathologist.
• 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.
• May perform any of the following: some morgue and lab administrative duties including filing; driving body-transport vehicle to transport decedents from hospitals or other locations to the medical examiner's office; perform laundry functions; receive and release decedents, clothing, personal property, and evidence to the appropriate agencies or persons, and prepares reports for same. .
• Assists in maintaining the morgue's body census, and assists in the timely release of bodies from the morgue.
• Maintains confidentiality on information on all cases.
• Understands and uses proper chain-of-custody practices.
• Has the ability to use digital dental x-ray and digital body x-ray equipment and its associated software.
• Accurately enters data into the medical examiner office's computer program.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:

Associate's degree with emphasis on the medical sciences such as chemistry or biology AND one (1) year experience in a medical or laboratory environment;
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 the job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Medical terminology and human anatomy as related to morgue activities.
• Autopsy procedures and practices.
• Safety procedures and practices in a morgue setting.
• Modern office/clerical practices, procedures and methods.
• Principle and procedures of record keeping.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, databases, and a variety of software packages.
• English, spelling, and arithmetic.
• Unit's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Department's casework software.
• Evidence collection and proper chain-of-custody techniques.
• Departmental policies and procedures.

Skill in:

• Autopsy procedures and practices, including evisceration.
• Using and caring of autopsy room equipment.
• Maintaining morgue cleanliness, inventory and equipment preventive maintenance with little or no supervision.
• Recording and compiling material for reports.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Work in morgue environment with daily contact with decedents, including those in a decomposed state.
• Handle the psychological effects of death.
• Work effectively with pathologists in the conduction of autopsies.
• Follow written directions and instructions, and carry out departmental instructions.
• Operate x-ray, dental x-ray, photographic, and fingerprinting equipment.
• 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 job stress. Must possess sufficient physical strength and emotional stability to work under adverse conditions.

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.

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: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Works some holidays and weekends as needed.

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.
01

Do have experience working in a fast-paced environment?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you ever worked in a morgue, funeral home, or hospital?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have experience/education with photography?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience/education in anthropology?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience/education in forensic sciences (fingerprinting, evidence collection, crime scene, etc.)?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have experience/education in biomedical sciences, biology, or anatomy?

• Yes
• No

Required Question