Manager, Morgue Operations

Role Responsibilities

Do you possess strong management skills and have comprehensive knowledge of autopsy/morgue unit operations and/or a medical laboratory operation. If so, we have an incredible opportunity available with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). There are two (2) permanent Manager, Morgue Operations positions available: One (1) in Calgary & One (1) in Edmonton locations.

Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Examiner, the Manager, Morgue Operations will oversee all aspects of the OCME autopsy unit including morgue/autopsy, radiology, and histology for each location. This unique opportunity will leverage your exceptional leadership and operational management skills to drive results and deliver meaningful impact to both OCME and the people of Alberta. In this pivotal role, you will serve as a key liaison between OCME senior leadership and the operational units, ensuring effective communication, resource coordination, and service excellence. You will work closely with the Director of Operations, Executive Director, Manager of Operations, Executive Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, and Operational Team Leads across both OCME locations.

We are looking for a leader to create a positive and productive work environment. The successful candidate will have proven leadership, and supervisory experience along with strong communication, and strategic thinking abilities. There is an expectation the Manager will have a background in operations in a dynamic environment and in addition, have experience in project management and change management.

The manager will complete ongoing evaluations, look for operational effectiveness, and identify modifications or process improvements for the OCME. Responsibilities will include human resources, procurement, managing the operational budget for their respective location and experience in financial management, budgeting and forecasting is a must. Procurement and contract management experience will be necessary. They will be responsible for the management of the autopsy facilities, autopsy equipment including radiology equipment and other operational processes to support the OCME.

As the Manager Morgue Operations, you will be responsible for strategic workforce and human resources management for the team including recruitment, performance improvement and disciplinary management along with the termination of staff. At times, difficult conversations can be necessary, and we are looking for a candidate that can demonstrate strong experience in strategic people management. The OCME staff that you will manage are bargaining unit and experience-managing staff governed by a collective agreement is required. The expectation of this role will require independent management of the team with minimal oversight.

The successful candidate(s) will require expertise in dealing with a variety of internal and external stakeholders’ relationships with exceptional communication skills. They will be required to keep the operations running smoothly and safely. You will need to be adept at problem solving. Being agile will be necessary and you will be required to respond to multiple and conflicting priorities on a daily basis.

The subject matter of the work that this position will be exposed to is tragic in nature. Exposure to deceased individuals may occur while working within the worksite. Candidates who have experience in working in such environments such as death investigation and/or have good self-care strategies, will be beneficial given the OCME environment.

Role con'td.

Responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership to respective location OCME Autopsy Unit, including radiology and histology.
• Ensure the budget is managed and will look for efficiencies and improvements to meet GoA standards.
• Providing leadership and direction concerning policies and procedures that enhance the day-to-day operational effectiveness and efficiency for the autopsy unit within the OCME.
• Contract management for suppliers and contractors
• General operational support for the OCME
• Strategic Human Resource planning and management of the OCME staff.
• Financial management of operational budget and forecasting
• Strategic policy development and implementation with senior leadership

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Proven leadership and supervisory experience including supervising staff and resolving employee relations challenges.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Exceptional analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Agility and have the ability to prioritize multiple conflicting priorities on a regular basis.
• Proven ability to develop/maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders with tact.
• Knowledge and understanding of the political climate and how it impacts OCME.
• Project and/or business management experience.
• Experience in developing a positive work environment for the staff.
• Experience in performance management.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Systems Thinking - allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.

Agility to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Build Collaborative Environments - Definition: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Creative Problem Solving – ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

University degree in Business, Health, Law and Science with a minimum of four years relevant experience. In addition, there is a requirement of a minimum 3 of those years working in a morgue and/or laboratory environment.

Equivalencies may be considered:
Diploma and a minimum of six (6) years related experience, Masters and a minimum of two (2) years related experience, A minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience.

Required:

• Please outline how your experience as it relates to the qualifications in detail in your cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• A minimum of three (3) working in a morgue and/or laboratory is required.
• Experience managing/supervising team(s) in day-to-day operational environment. (formal/informal)
• Experience in financial management including managing an operational budget.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills are required.
• Experience in administrative oversight such as working with external stakeholders, procurement, and contract management.
• Experience in strategic workforce and human resources people management including recruitment, performance improvement.

Assets:

• Experience in business planning and reporting.
• Experience in facility accommodation, infrastructure, and emergency planning.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience in change management.
• Experience in managing a morgue environment.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of work: Monday – Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25/week)

Positions currently available: Two (2) permanent salaried positions; one in each location, Edmonton and Calgary.

Location:

• One (1) located at the Edmonton Medical Examiner Building, 7007 – 116 Street, Edmonton Alberta, T6H 5R8.
• One (1) located at the Calgary Medical Examiner Building, 4070 Bowness Road N.W. Calgary, Alberta T3B 3R7.

This position is located at the Office of the Medical Examiner. Applicants need to be aware that the environment at OCME is fast paced and can be emotionally charged. Postmortem examinations are completed on-site, and the candidate needs to be aware and be prepared to work in this type of environment.

These positions may require occasional traveling between locations.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.