Forensic Scientist - Firearms & Toolmarks

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory (JCSOCL) is seeking qualified applicants to fill one Forensic Scientist position in our Firearm & Toolmark Section. This position will be hired as a Forensic Scientist Trainee, Forensic Scientist, Senior Forensic Scientist, Forensic Scientist Technical Leader, or Forensic Scientist Supervisor based upon qualifications and experience. 

The JCSOCL provides accredited forensic services to over twenty law enforcement agencies within Johnson County, the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, and beyond. Over 1,000 items of evidence, including approximately 600 firearms, are submitted to the laboratory each year with a request for services from the Firearm & Toolmark section. Examiners within this section compare firearms and ammunition components, such as fired bullets and cartridge cases, and evaluate these items for imaging into the NIBIN database. The section also conducts examination of tools and tool marked evidence, restores obliterated serial numbers, and performs muzzle-to-object distance determination testing.

The duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Performing firearm functionality/operability testing and barrel/overall length measurements.
• Utilizing microscopy to examine/compare ammunition components and tool marked items.
• Using physical and chemical restoration techniques to visualize obliterated serial numbers.
• Acquiring test fired and evidence cartridge cases/shotshells into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) database.
• Performing muzzle-to-object distance determination testing.
• Documenting and performing casework duties in accordance with laboratory procedures with minimal errors and no patterns of deficiencies.
• Performing technical and administrative review of case data.
• Participating in training, competency testing, and proficiency testing according to established protocols.
• Performing maintenance and complex troubleshooting of equipment and software to ensure the integrity of testing.
• Rigorously following all safety manuals, standard operating procedures, and quality assurance/quality control procedures.
• Performing quality assurance/quality control procedures of reagents, equipment, and instrumentation as necessary.
• Assisting in ensuring conformance to laboratory accreditation standards.
• Attending continuing education/training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and professional meetings as time and resources allow.
• Participating in method validation/verification studies as needed.
• Presenting information regarding forensic services and evidence collection techniques to law enforcement and/or citizens.
• Providing expert testimony in courts of law as required.

Additional screening that must be successfully passed as a pre-condition to employment with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office include:

• Polygraph
• Drug screen
• Criminal history and background check

Position Duties, Experience Requirements, and Compensation

Forensic Scientist Trainee: $25.17 - $37.76 ($52,359.91 - $78,539.86 annualized)

• Job Description: A Forensic Scientist Trainee participates in an intensive, discipline-specific training program to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform examinations of evidence submitted to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory.  The incumbent carries out a range of assignments while learning the methods and techniques of the relevant forensic discipline.
  Experience Requirements: None
  Preferred: Experience or internship in forensic laboratory or scientific laboratory environment. Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other forensic databases and software applicable to the relevant discipline. Applicable criminal and civil law procedures and the presentation of evidence in court.
  

Forensic Scientist: $28.86 - $43.28 ($60,021.48 - $90,032.22 annualized)

• Job Description: A Forensic Scientist performs specialized forensic examinations of evidence submitted to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory in at least one forensic science discipline.  The incumbent carries out an expanding range of professional forensic assignments in a developing capacity.  A Forensic Scientist conducts scientific testing, interprets test results, forms conclusions, prepares technical reports, provides scientific consultation, and testifies as an expert witness in a court of law. 
  Experience Requirements: One (1) year experience and successful completion of a discipline-specific training program and competency in the relevant discipline.
  Preferred:  Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other forensic databases and software applicable to the relevant discipline. Training and competency received from an accredited laboratory. Applicable criminal and civil law procedures and the presentation of evidence in court.
  

Senior Forensic Scientist: $31.60 - $47.40 ($65,723.52 - $98,585.28 annualized)

• Job Description: A Senior Forensic Scientist performs specialized forensic examinations of evidence submitted to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory in at least one forensic science discipline.  The incumbent carries out a full range of professional forensic scientist assignments in a fully-functioning capacity, exercising considerable independent judgment regarding complex/nontraditional casework. A Senior Forensic Scientist conducts scientific testing, interprets test results, forms conclusions, prepares technical reports, provides scientific consultation, and testifies as an expert witness in a court of law.  Oversees technical operations of the relevant discipline.
  Experience Requirements: Five (5) years of independent forensic casework experience in the relevant discipline and successful completion of a discipline-specific training program and demonstrated competency.
  Preferred: Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other forensic databases and software applicable to the relevant discipline. Training, competency, and casework experience received from an accredited laboratory. Applicable criminal and civil law procedures and the presentation of evidence in court. Proficiency in auditing principles and laboratory accreditation requirements. 
  

Forensic Scientist Technical Leader: $32.75 - $49.13 ($68,124.38 - $102,186.57 annualized)

• Job Description: A Forensic Scientist Technical Leader performs specialized forensic examinations of evidence submitted to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Criminalistics Laboratory and oversees technical operations in at least one forensic science discipline.  The incumbent carries out a full range of professional forensic scientist assignments in a fully-functioning capacity, exercising considerable independent judgment regarding complex/nontraditional casework. A Forensic Scientist Technical Leader ensures compliance with laboratory and accreditation requirements, conducts scientific testing, interprets test results, forms conclusions, prepares technical reports, provides scientific consultation, and testifies as an expert witness in a court of law. Incumbent is responsible for evaluating existing or new analysis methods, ensuring proper validation, evidence handling/storage, training, quality assurance, and proficiency testing
  Experience Requirements: Three (3) years of independent forensic casework experience in the relevant discipline and successful completion of a discipline-specific training program and demonstrated competency.
  Preferred: Five (5) years of independent forensic casework experience in the relevant discipline. Training, competency, and casework experience received from an accredited laboratory. Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other forensic databases and software applicable to the relevant discipline. Applicable criminal and civil law procedures and the presentation of evidence in court. Proficiency in auditing principles and laboratory accreditation requirements.  
  

Forensic Scientist Supervisor: $33.91 - $50.86 ($70,531.24 - $105,796.85 annualized)

• A Forensic Scientist Supervisor directs and manages the daily activities and operations, as well as performs specialized forensic examinations of evidence, in at least one forensic science discipline.  The incumbent schedules, assigns, and prioritizes work activities of assigned staff and evaluates their performance.  The Forensic Scientist Supervisor ensures discipline compliance with accreditation requirements and other laboratory and departmental policies and engages in strategic planning to ensure adequate budgeting and appropriation of resources and personnel.
  Experience Requirements: Three (3) years of independent forensic casework or relevant experience.
  Preferred: Five (5) years of independent forensic casework experience or relevant experience. Training, competency, and casework experience in the relevant discipline received from an accredited laboratory. Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and other forensic databases and software applicable to the relevant discipline. Applicable criminal and civil law procedures and the presentation of evidence in court. 
  

Educational Requirements:

Forensic Scientist Trainee:

• Bachelor's degree in the following field(s) of study: Natural science, forensic science with laboratory coursework, or relevant field.
  Preferred: Master's degree in the following field(s) of study: Biology, chemistry or forensic science relevant field.
  

Forensic Scientist:

• Bachelor's degree in the following field(s) of study: Natural science, forensic science with laboratory coursework, or relevant field.
  Preferred: Master's degree in the following field(s) of study: Biology, chemistry or forensic science relevant field 
  

Senior Forensic Scientist:

• Bachelor's degree in the following field(s) of study: Natural science, forensic science with laboratory coursework, or relevant field.
  Preferred: Master's degree in the following field(s) of study: Biology, chemistry or forensic science relevant field  
  

Forensic Scientist Technical Leader:

• Bachelor's degree in the following field(s) of study: Natural science, forensic science with laboratory coursework, or relevant field.
  Preferred: Master's degree in the following field(s) of study: Biology, chemistry or forensic science relevant field. 

Forensic Scientist Supervisor:

• Bachelor's degree in the following field(s) of study: Natural science, forensic science with laboratory coursework, or relevant field.
  Preferred: Master's degree in the following field(s) of study: Biology, chemistry or forensic science relevant field.  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Driver's license.