Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist)

Salary: $260,000.00 - $280,000.00 Annually
Location : Decatur, GA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-031
Division: Medical Examiners Office
Opening Date: 11/20/2025

Description
This is a sensitive government position.
Please review the GBI Employment Disqualifiers before applying for this position. Employment for the selected candidate(s) is contingent upon the successful completion of a GBI background investigation including criminal, credit and driver's history checks, polygraph examination, fingerprinting and drug screening.
The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI.
The State Medical Examiner's Office, within the Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is seeking qualified applicants to fill the Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) position atGBI Headquarters in Decatur, Georgia
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®).
The successful applicant will join a system that encompasses two regional medical examiner offices located in Pooler (Savannah) and Dry Branch (Macon), Georgia, in addition to the headquarters facility, located in Decatur, Georgia (Atlanta). Collectively, these three offices provide complete forensic pathology services to 154 of the 159 counties in Georgia. The Decatur (headquarters) facility handles approximately 2,700 postmortem examinations per year, including about 400 to 475 homicides.
The Decatur (headquarters) medical examiner's staff currently consists of one (1) chief medical examiner, one (1) deputy chief medical examiner, nine (9) associate medical examiners, eighteen (18) death investigation specialists, one (1) graphic & visual art specialist, and five (5) office support staff. The average caseload per pathologist is between 250-300 cases per year.
The State Medical Examiner's Office has a total of 19 medical examiners throughout the state, when fully staffed, including two (2) board-certified pediatric pathologist staffed at headquarters. This office also operates the Child Abuse Investigative Support Center, which provides consultative services to law enforcement, district attorneys, the Division of Family and Children's Services, and other agencies, where inflicted injury is suspected in living children.
Decatur, Georgia is located within the Atlanta metropolitan area, a premier destination for business professionals and their families. The City of Decatur is a 4.4-square-mile, urban city just east of the City of Atlanta and is home to about 23,000 people. The City has five walkable commercial districts with 1.8M square feet of office in the City's four square miles designed just for businesses. Each district has its own character and includes a mix of office, retail, residential, and institutional uses.
The metro Atlanta region is home to more than 5.3 million people and nearly 150,000 businesses, a world-class airport, multiple parks and green space, competitive schools and numerous amenities for entertainment, sports and restaurants that all offer a top-tier quality of life. From its diverse economy, global access, abundant talent and low costs of business and lifestyle, metro Atlanta is a great place to call "home." Residents have easy access to arts, culture, sports and nightlife, and can experience all four seasons, with mild winters that rarely require a snow shovel. Learn more at: http://www.metroatlantachamber.com.
Just east of the Atlanta BeltLine and six miles from downtown, the city of Decatur is 4.7 square miles packed with more than 200 great reasons to visit. And our downtown square ranks number #2 on 2021 USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice travel awards for . It's the perfect starting point for exploring DeKalb County and all of metro Atlanta. With three MARTA train stations inside its city limits, Decatur is well connected to downtown Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the world.
Make Decatur your home away from home and jumping off point for metro attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain Park, Mercedes Benz Stadium and more. Stay connected while you're here with free wi-fi downtown, in Oakhurst, and at our biggest city parks.
We invite you to discover Decatur, online and in person. You'll find a traditional small-town atmosphere--and the sophistication and excitement of a college town--along with all the benefits of living in a major metropolitan area.

Take a stroll through Decatur and see how friendly neighbors, tree-lined streets, great schools, parks and playing fields, libraries, colleges, and businesses all make our town a wonderful place to spend some time. We're just minutes east of downtown Atlanta, minutes west of Stone Mountain, and the MARTA rail station is right under our downtown square, so getting here is a breeze.

Named after Stephen Decatur, a 19th century U.S. Naval hero, Decatur retains a strong connection to its history, while preparing for the future with managed growth and responsible development. Decatur maintains its own identity while forging bonds with other communities locally, nationally and internationally. Other U.S. cities and counties named Decatur participate in some of our festivities. We are a member of Sister Cities International.

Learn more about Decatur's Points of Interest as well as community activities, and city government. Then come and see for yourself why Decatur folks are proud of their community.

The GBI Medical Examiner's Office is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners. To learn more about the GBI Medical Examiner's Office, visit http://gbi.georgia.gov/medical-examiners-office.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®).
Job Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) performs medicolegal autopsies under the provisions of the Georgia Death Investigation Act; generates examination reports for dissemination in a timely and efficient manner; provides expert courtroom and deposition testimony in judicial proceedings; and consults with law enforcement agencies and attorneys who work within the criminal system. The Associate Medical Examiner may perform other duties as directed by the Chief Medical Examiner.
Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Medical Doctor licensed to practice medicine in the state of Georgia or the ability to obtain Georgia licensure as required by state law
AND
Successful completion of an Anatomic Pathology residency and Forensic Pathology fellowship from an accredited institution
AND
Board certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology OR Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.
AND
Board certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Pathology in Forensic Pathology.

CONDITION(S) OF EMPLOYMENT
Selected candidates who have not yet achieved board certification in Forensic Pathology must sit for and successfully pass the board certification examination in Forensic Pathology at the earliest available administration upon becoming eligible.

Failure to sit for and/or successfully pass the Forensic Pathology Board exam will result in an evaluation of continued employment.
Selected candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business which may require working weekends and/or holidays. Selected candidate must also be available to receive and respond to telephone inquiries from home, while acting in an on-call status.
Supplemental Information

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for the position is $260,000-$280,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. Advancement within the salary structure is commensurate with cumulative experience and achievement of full board certification for those who are hired but not yet fully board certified.

The starting salary is commensurate with board certification status and work experience:

*From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, w/o board certification, the salary will be: $260,000.00 per year.

*From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, with AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $270,000.00 per year.

*From the beginning of the 6th postgraduate year forward, w/AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $280,000.00 per year.
Advancement within the salary structure is commensurate with cumulative experience, and achievement of full Board Certification status for those who are hired but are not yet fully Board Certified.
***NEW -***

The Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Programis now available to qualified licensed physicians working as full-time Medical Examiners with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation! Recipients must agree to work full-time, on or after January 1, 2023, for GBI as a Medical Examiner for an opportunity to have a portion of their student loan debt to be paid through this loan repayment program. Loan repayment begins after twelve consecutive months of qualified employment.

Qualified Medical Examiners may receive up to five years of student loan repayment for five years of employment with the GBI's Division of Forensic Science Medical Examiner's Office. Graduated loan repayment award amounts are based on eligible participating year in the repayment program:
• First year maximum amount is $12,000

• Second year maximum amount is $18,000

• Third year maximum amount is $24,000

• Fourth year maximum amount is $30,000
• Fifth year maximum amount is $36,000

The maximum limit is $120,000 with five years of qualifying employment.

GBI offers a generous benefits package. Employees earn vacation time and sick leave and are granted 13 paid holidays each year. There are a variety of benefit options to choose from, including vision, dental, health and life insurance. We also offer an employee retirement plan and deferred compensation options.

Competitive benefits package:
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Annual vacation, sick, and education leave
• 13 paid holidays
• Employee retirement plan
• Deferred compensation options
• Conference allowance
• Reimbursement of all GA licensure and board certification fees
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
• Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Program

The GBI reserves the right to close this job announcement once a qualified applicant pool has been identified.

• Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or by e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will not receive notification.
• The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI
• Applicants must present a professional image during all phases of the GBI hiring process, to include when interviewing, either in-person or virtually. The attire and appearance of applicants interviewing must be what is generally accepted as both professional and appropriate for a business work environment.
• Foreign Education: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. This evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation that includes each completed course/subject and the U.S. credit equivalent. Applicants must submit a copy of the credential evaluation as part of the application process. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website at http://www.naces.org/members.htm.

THE GBI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Why work for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation?
The GBI provides a meaningful and challenging career as a dedicated public servant. As your next employer, we offer a variety of benefits options to support you in achieving a healthy work/life balance.

Here are some of the many benefits offered to eligible employees...

• Up to 3 weeks of vacation leave and up to 15 days of sick leave a year
• Up to 240 hours of paid parental leave in a 12-month period
• A total of 13 paid holidays per year
• A Defined Benefit Plan (Pension) that provides a guaranteed monthly income after retirement with a minimum of 10 years of service
• A 401(k) savings plan with an initial 5% employer match on an employee contribution of 5%, with a 9% maximum employer match.
• A variety of group health, dental, vision, legal, long-term care insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and life insurance options
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance to provide income protection against the unexpected
• Flexible Spending Accounts that allow employees to set aside money, pre-tax, for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• An Employee Assistance Program, through , providing confidential counseling for employees and their family members with personal problems that interfere with an employee's job performance or family life
• The that allows employees that meet certain requirements an opportunity to have the remaining balance of their Direct Loans forgiven
• The that allows employees to save tax-free for higher education expenses