Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
Salary Range:
$30.00 - $48.50 hourly
About the Position
The Firearm Examiner Senior identifies, collects, preserves, examines, and interprets physical evidence associated with specific criminal acts related to firearm and tool mark identification. The examiner prepares complex documentation and written reports and presents findings in criminal court. This position performs highly sensitive tasks that require compliance with law enforcement rules and regulations related to forensic examination and evidence gathering.
About the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
Do you possess integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and do you have a desire to serve your community? The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) invites you to become part of Arizona's leading law enforcement agency. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team with a variety of openings for Civilian, Detention and Sworn personnel. We come together as a team to support and provide public safety. We are OneMCSO – become one with us!
Position Qualifications
We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Science, Criminalistics or a related field.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience as a firearms examiner.
OR
Combined education and experience qualifications
Other combinations of education and/or experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year for year basis.
Other requirements
Successful completion of a documented forensic scientist firearm and toolmark training program and/or demonstration of competency in the examination of tools and objects bearing toolmarks.
Must obtain certification on the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) system within 24 months from start date.
Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire.
Training that may be provided on-the-job: FEMA NIMS – IS100 and 700; Safety; Payroll; PREA.
Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all candidates pass a background review, polygraph examination and psychological exam.
Our Preferred Candidate has
Five (5) years of experience as a firearms examiner.
Essential Job Tasks
(This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)
Processes and preserves physical evidence including trace and biological evidence; marks evidence properly.
Examines evidence using forensic techniques; prioritizes procedures and preserves appropriate samples for any subsequent forensic analysis.
Applies knowledge of the historical development of firearm and tool mark identification to performing various types of evidentiary examination procedures (e.g., appropriate sample sizes, standards, control mechanisms, testing conditions).
Examines firearms, ammunition, ammunition components, tools, toolmarks, and other related evidence.
Designs and conducts experiments related to specific case issues.
Enters and searches data in the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN).
Writes scientific examination reports, prepares findings for court presentations, testifies in court, and discusses laboratory results with law enforcement officers and attorneys.
Communicates in multiple formats with supervisors, MCSO staff, County employees, attorneys, and other experts in the field to exchange information regarding analyses of evidence; interacts with the general public regarding the evaluation of evidence for investigation of crimes.
Consults and coordinates with other forensic scientists, law enforcement entities, attorneys, private experts, and others regarding the solution of problems involving the analysis, comparison, and identification of physical evidence.
Inspects and evaluates equipment, objects, information, and work-related conditions to determine compliance with prescribed operating and safety standards, regulations, and guidelines including manufacturer’s specifications on computerized scientific equipment.
Works routinely with chemicals using specialized protective equipment; determines results of chemical tests; prepares graphs, charts, and/or diagrams resulting from scientific examinations.
Performs mathematical and statistical computations in order to complete scientific examinations.
Determines types of ammunition and components used in shooting and whether fired from a specific firearm.
Maintains updated firearms training and comprehends protocols.
Works with and regularly prepares various chemical processes; determines and ensures safety protocols and precautions are adhered to when handling evidence, chemicals (carcinogenic), hazardous, and bio-hazard materials.
Completes technical/chemical tests (e.g., gunshot, explosive residue, blood sampling), chemically identifies and quantifies compounds, and interprets scientific data.
Follows proper chain of custody policy and procedures.
Assists with maintenance of firearms laboratory and evidence processing equipment, orders supplies as needed, and maintains inventory of forensic supplies for the unit.
Provides in-service training of employees on firearms and ballistics related topics.
Trains and mentors new employees during their probationary period.
Conducts lab tours and presentations for the public.
Possesses the knowledge and ability to handle casework which, if handled improperly or delayed, could result in many liabilities (e.g., loss of life; improper incarceration; misidentifying suspects/victims; delayed filing of criminal charges, search warrants, and orders to obtain; adversely impacting prior casework; lawsuits for improper evidence handling; cases/evidence thrown out of court for insufficient evidence or mistrials; impact on litigating factors in death penalty cases).
Working Conditions
Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
The following environments described are only representative of how the essential job tasks are currently performed or envisioned. As such, in order to accommodate a disability or limitation, the essential job tasks may be performed in ways other than described on these pages.
Work is normally performed indoors in the laboratory and occasionally outdoors at the site of various crime scenes in varied weather conditions for extended periods of time. Duties may require attendance at crime scenes after normal working hours, on call status 24/7, and working in hazardous conditions.
Work environment
Indoors and outdoors
In temperatures above 90 degrees, rarely below 40 degrees
Dim lighting, bright lighting
Exposure to contagious diseases
Chemicals/fumes/lead particles
Conditions frequently include smoke/dust, wet/damp area, stairs or ladders, high noise level
Physical environment
Sitting, standing, walking
Driving a vehicle
Speaking, hearing, seeing, reading
Distinguishing color
Bending/kneeling
Reaching, twisting, climbing
Crawling, crouching, balancing
Wearing protective gear
Precise dexterity
Lifting floor to waist a weight of fifty (50) pounds
Lifting waist to shoulder a weight of twenty-five (25) pounds
Lifting shoulder to overhead a weight of fifteen (15) pounds
Carrying a weight of fifteen (15) pounds for varied distances
Pushing/pulling a weight of twenty-five (25) pounds for varied distances
Social environment
Traumatic subject matter
Dangerous environment
High volume of work
Interruptions, time pressures
Handling multiple or complicated tasks, unscheduled tasks, frequently changing tasks
Accuracy
Decision-making
Concentration/vigilance
Teamwork, working in close physical proximity with others
Overtime/rotating shifts
Conditions frequently include emergencies, isolation, public contact
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of
Evidence, property, chain-of-command protocols.
Arizona State Revised Statutes, principles of chemistry, physics, biology, physiology, and mathematics/statistics as related to forensic science.
The use of a stereomicroscope, comparison microscope, chronograph, and decibel meter to perform examinations.
Microsoft 365, and applications such as trajectory, Photoshop, GRC, CartWin Pro, and TriggerScan software.
Must understand and practice firearm safety and proper handling techniques.
Skill in
Comprehending, evaluating, and solving problems by exercising judgment and logic.
Acquiring and maintaining knowledge and skills required for the target classification.
Understanding and interpreting material, charts, graphs and tables.
Ability to
Work under highly emotional conditions which may include interacting with victims of violent crimes, and adverse sights, smells, and touch when dealing with dead bodies,
Work in bio-hazard environments and handle and/or be exposed to chemicals (carcinogenic) and bio-hazard evidence.
Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.
Apply strong learning and reasoning skills to work tasks.
Selection Procedure
Only the most qualified candidates will be considered
Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive
Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.