Morgue Operations Manager

State of Utah Office of the Governor•Taylorsville, UT

1d•$35 - $47•Hybrid

About The Position

The Morgue Operations Manager oversees all operational, administrative, facility, and equipment functions within the Office of the Medical Examiner. Serving as the primary operational leader, this role maintains overall accountability for daily morgue activities, staff management, compliance, purchasing, and inter-agency coordination. While specific task execution is delegated across a structured supervisory team (including Autopsy Assistant, Morgue Clerk, and technical delegates), the Morgue Operations Manager retains ultimate responsibility for operational efficiency, NAME accreditation alignment, workplace safety, and service quality.

Requirements

Must be reachable 24/7 via mobile phone for emergency escalations and operational continuity.
Direct supervision of functional supervisors (Autopsy Assistant Supervisor, Morgue Clerk Supervisor) and direct/indirect collaboration with designated safety officers, internship coordinators, and technical specialists.
Proficiency with state software tools (PowerDMS, Concur, AWS S3 / WinSCP, DTS systems) and deep familiarity with autopsy suite machinery, radiological safety, and evidence handling regulation.
Bachelor's Degree in a related field or at least 4 years of work experience in a related field
Supervisory experience
Knowledge of anatomy, medical terminology, injury or disease recognition
Knowledge of x-ray equipment use, photography skills, evidence collection, and sterile technique
Adequate physical strength for moving bodies

Responsibilities

Develop and execute annual operational strategic plans focusing on Workplace Experience, Quality, Fiscal Management, and Sustainability (RBA Plan / Clear Impact framework).
Lead the creation, updating, and enforcement of department SOPs across Autopsy Procedures, Morgue Operations, and General Office Practices (managed via PowerDMS).
Maintain strategic and daily working relationships with external partners, including Donor Connect, Utah Lion’s Eye Bank, Utah Funeral Directors Association, VA Medical Center, University of Utah researchers, and outside law enforcement/investigative agencies.
Serve as the primary morgue representative at DHHS Preparedness Coordination meetings to oversee mass fatality planning, safety risk management, and continuity of operations.
Ensure facility alignment with NAME accreditation standards, IRB approvals, MOUs, and state/department administrative rules.
Direct and support the Autopsy Assistant Supervisor and Morgue Clerk Supervisor in managing scheduling, performance evaluations, 1-on-1s, recruitment, and onboarding for direct and indirect reports.
Select, assign, and oversee delegates for specialized administrative and technical duties; serve as the default operational backstop to assume duties during staff vacancies or transitions.
Partner with direct supervisors and the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) to manage employee grievances, disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and terminations.
Oversee monthly morgue leadership meetings, staff learning objectives, and incentive program distributions.
Oversee facility security, environmental cleanliness, body cooler management, and indigent cremation processes in coordination with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) and DHHS Administrative Services.
Lead workplace safety initiatives, Workers’ Compensation claim processes, and annual mandatory safety training programs (Bloodborne Pathogens, Respiratory Protection/Fit Testing, Exposure Control, Chemical Hygiene).
Direct the safe collection, storage, and removal of biohazard materials, medical waste, and regulated chemical waste.
Oversee service agreements, regular maintenance, and statutory inspections/registrations for autopsy saws, Lodox x-ray systems, body forklifts, scales/balances,, centrifuges, and autoclaves.
Monitor staff dosimetry badge exposure reports; maintain DTS/AWS digital image storage networks (WinSCP/DICOM) for archival autopsy photography and radiographs.
Oversee departmental IT assets (networks, phones, computers), manage state surplus policy compliance, and ensure specialized Histology lab equipment maintenance.
Participate in monthly budget meetings, track operational and administrative spending, and evaluate long-term supply needs.
Supervise vendor selection, state purchasing, contract drafting, and adherence to state contract guidelines.
Direct and monitor high-level autopsy and histology processes, including evidence collection, DNA/sample retention, SAKT/sexual assault evidence entry, organ/brain cutting conferences, and specialized research study sample collection (e.g., suicide studies, SDY, InVitae).