NJ Civil Service Navigator

MORTICIAN

Code: 02514 Local Non-Competitive

Mortician is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.

The one gate is a professional license.

How to apply

This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.

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Where this title is used

Mortician is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, is responsible for the operation of morgue including the safeguarding and preparation of bodies and embalming and making burial arrangements for unclaimed bodies; does other related duties.

Examples of work

  • Receives bodies delivered to the morgue.
  • Records receipt of each body.
  • Responsible for the care of the deceased's clothing and personal effects.
  • Conducts the identification process.
  • Places bodies in the proper storage area.
  • Prepares the bodies and the facilities for autopsies.
  • Under direction, assists the pathologist in dissecting parts of the body by tying off arteries and sewing up the body when the autopsy is completed.
  • Collects and labels specimens of fluids from the deceased.
  • Prepares bodies for release to the appropriate funeral directors.
  • Signs burial certificates.
  • Arranges burial of unidentified bodies.
  • Preserves bodies or body organs using procedures common to the profession.
  • Embalms the bodies of indigents or persons unidentified, but not claimed, who are veterans and may be buried in veteran's cemeteries.
  • Maintains the morgue, autopsy room and laboratory in proper condition.
  • Prepares needed records.
  • Maintains appropriate files.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Possession of a license as a Practitioner of Mortuary Science issued by the New Jersey State Board of Mortuary Science, Department of Law and Public Safety.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of the tasks involved in preserving and preparing bodies and body organs for burial.
  • Knowledge of the laws and rules governing the burial of unidentified or unclaimed bodies.
  • Knowledge of the tasks involved in assisting with autopsies.
  • Knowledge of identifying bodies.
  • Knowledge of the problems encountered in dealing with members of the medical profession, undertakers and the general public.
  • Knowledge of body identification of decomposed or otherwise unidentifiable bodies.
  • Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
  • Ability to perform the tasks involved in the field of mortuary science including the preservation of bodies and body organs and the burial of bodies.
  • Ability to assist in the identification of bodies.
  • Ability to deal effectively with the general public, undertakers and members of the medical profession.
  • Ability to prepare accurate reports.
  • Ability to maintain records and files.
  • Ability to recognize the various causes of deaths and types of injuries sustained.
  • Ability to maintain records and files.
  • Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.