Morgue Operations Manager

About the job

1. Operations Administrative Leadership Operational Strategy Quality: Develop and execute annual operational strategic plans focusing on Workplace Experience, Quality, Fiscal Management, and Sustainability (RBA Plan / Clear Impact framework). Policy SOP Oversight: Lead the creation, updating, and enforcement of department SOPs across Autopsy Procedures, Morgue Operations, and General Office Practices (managed via PowerDMS). Stakeholder Coordination: 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. Mass Fatality Preparedness: Serve as the primary morgue representative at DHHS Preparedness Coordination meetings to oversee mass fatality planning, safety risk management, and continuity of operations. Accreditation Compliance: Ensure facility alignment with NAME accreditation standards, IRB approvals, MOUs, and state/department administrative rules. 2. Staff Supervision Departmental Oversight Supervisory Leadership: 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. Delegation Accountability: 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. Labor Grievance Relations: Partner with direct supervisors and the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) to manage employee grievances, disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and terminations. Professional Development: Oversee monthly morgue leadership meetings, staff learning objectives, and incentive program distributions. 3. Facility, Safety, Waste Management Facility Maintenance: 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. Safety Infection Control: Lead workplace safety initiatives, Workers’ Compensation claim processes, and annual mandatory safety training programs (Bloodborne Pathogens, Respiratory Protection/Fit Testing, Exposure Control, Chemical Hygiene). Biohazard Waste Disposal: Direct the safe collection, storage, and removal of biohazard materials, medical waste, and regulated chemical waste. 4. Equipment, IT, Technical Asset Management Specialized Equipment Maintenance: Oversee service agreements, regular maintenance, and statutory inspections/registrations for autopsy saws, Lodox x-ray systems, body forklifts, scales/balances,, centrifuges, and autoclaves. Radiation Safety Image Storage: Monitor staff dosimetry badge exposure reports; maintain DTS/AWS digital image storage networks (WinSCP/DICOM) for archival autopsy photography and radiographs. IT Asset Management: Oversee departmental IT assets (networks, phones, computers), manage state surplus policy compliance, and ensure specialized Histology lab equipment maintenance. 5. Purchasing, Budget, Financial Compliance Budget Oversight: Participate in monthly budget meetings, track operational and administrative spending, and evaluate long-term supply needs. Procurement Management: Supervise vendor selection, state purchasing, contract drafting, and adherence to state contract guidelines. 6. Technical Autopsy Technical Support Oversight 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). Key Requirements Delegated Structure Emergency Availability: Must be reachable 24/7 via mobile phone for emergency escalations and operational continuity. Supervisory Framework: Direct supervision of functional supervisors (Autopsy Assistant Supervisor, Morgue Clerk Supervisor) and direct/indirect collaboration with designated safety officers, internship coordinators, and technical specialists. Technical Skills: 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