Forensic Scientist II, III, IV - Firearm Examiner

Pay Range: $68,981 - $95,000 annual compensation

Job Posting Closing on: Friday, May 30, 2025

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

A Forensic Scientist II, III, IV – Firearm Examiner job is available with the City of Fort Worth Police department in the Firearm Unit. The candidate must have a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in chemical, physical, biological science, chemical engineering, or forensic science from an accredited university.  The candidate will be hired as a Forensic Scientist II, III or IV, based on education, experience, and training, report writing, and technical review.

Minimum Qualifications for Forensic Scientist II - Firearm Examiner:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in chemical, physical, biological science, chemical engineering, or forensic science from an accredited university.
• Forensic Scientist II - A minimum of three (3) years’ work experience as a forensic scientist or the equivalent work experience in an accredited laboratory with a documented completion of a Firearm Examiner training program.
• Forensic Scientist III - A minimum of five (5) years’ work experience as a forensic scientist or the equivalent work experience in an accredited laboratory with a documented completion of a Firearm Examiner training program.
• Forensic Scientist IV - A minimum of seven (7) years’ work experience as a forensic scientist or the equivalent work experience in an accredited laboratory with a documented completion of a Firearm Examiner training program.
• Ability to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license within six (6) months from hire date.
• Provide a buccal DNA sample after hire date.
• Must obtain a Texas Forensic Analyst License within six (6) months from hire date.
• Ability to comply with all Texas Forensic Science Commission requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to conduct microscopic comparisons.
• Ability to safely handle firearms.
• NIBIN Acquisition.

The Forensic Scientist II - Firearm Examiner job responsibilities include:

• Performs analysis for complex cases within firearms.
• Performs verifications and technical reviews
• Participates in Quality Assurance processes including internal audits, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, risks assessments, and safety inspections.
• Maintains laboratory supplies and prepares reagents.
• Performs preventative maintenance and repairs on laboratory instrumentation.
• Adheres to continuing education requirements for licensure and accrediting bodies.

The Forensic Scientist III - Firearm Examiner job responsibilities include:

• Performs all essential duties and responsibilities and unit-specific requirements of a Forensic Scientist II.
• Consults with detectives and attorneys in making laboratory service requests by triaging requests and working closely with unit supervisor to ensure deadlines are met.
• Participates in Continuous Improvement Program by collecting customer feedback, maintain professional relationships to identify and understand the needs of the customer.
• Trains new analyst assigned to the unit.

The Forensic Scientist IV- Firearm Examiner job responsibilities include:

• Performs all essential duties and responsibilities and unit-specific requirements of a Forensic Scientist III.
• Validates new methods for new technologically advanced instrumentation or platforms.
• Researches forensic science field and studies current material in scientific journals regarding new advances and techniques in forensic examinations.
• Gives presentations or lectures at professional conferences or local colleges and universities.
• Assists unit supervisor in writing procedures and policies for the unit.
• Makes recommendations for continuous improvement to management.
• Develops, modifies, and maintains manuals for training program, section-specific documents, controlled forms with supervisor approval.

Working Conditions:

Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.  Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position:  Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions in the last 10 years, Class A Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication in the last 10 years, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and ALL Family Violence Convictions regardless of class.

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, walking and repetitive motions.  Works with hazardous materials and chemicals.  May be exposed to hazardous and/or dangerous work environments.

Conditions of Employment

The City of Fort Worth is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  It is the policy and practice of the City to recruit, hire, train and promote a diverse workforce without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or another non-merit factor.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement, may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre-Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screen, education verification, etc. criminal convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only.