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 - Biologist:

• 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 - Biologist 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 - Biologist 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- Biologist 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.