Firearms Examiner

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16713
Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Division: Firearms Laboratory
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 12/31/2026 11:59 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants: 200


Position Description
Mission:

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.
Vision:

To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.

To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.

To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Inventories, documents, evaluate and test fires various types of firearms; evaluates and microscopically examines fired evidence components; conducts serial number restoration of firearms; performs distance determination cases; issues report reflecting results of the examination.
• Conduct Laboratory Examination responsibilities to include, but not limited to:
• Evaluation and test firing of various types of firearms.
• Performs moderately complex and complex analysis of submitted firearms and firearms-related evidence that may include hazardous biological and chemical substances.
• Conducts technical and administrative reviews of casework to ensure compliance with laboratory procedures and accreditation standards.
• Provide expert testimony in the discipline of Firearms Identification.
• Reviews NIBIN correlations; provides expert testimony; provides technical assistance to law enforcement and attorneys.
• Trains new employees; develops and validates new test methods and instrumentation.
• Provide technical assistance to police officers, the District Attorney's Office and other law enforcement personnel.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer


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This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry or a related natural science (e.g. Biology, Physics).
• Must have completed a 3-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college level statistics course from an accredited university or program approved by the Texas Forensic Science Commission

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT WITH APPLICATION. OFFICIAL CERTIFIED ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO JOB OFFER.
Training/Licensures:

• Successful completion of a training program equivalent to the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner's (AFTE) Training Manual in addition to requisite proficiency in microscopic examinations, or the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Firearms and Toolmark Examiner Academy (NFEA) supplemented by sufficient comparative microscopy experience, or training of similar structure at another laboratory.
• Forensic Analyst Licensure by the Texas Forensic Science Commission will be required; licensure must be maintained for the duration of the employment.
• Must comply with State of Texas Forensic Science Commission licensure requirements within one year of hire
• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Additional Requirements:

• Upon being hired, must complete training program to become authorized to access the IBIS/ NIBIN network
• Must have capable eyesight to evaluate test fired bullets and cartridge cases
• Must pass a criminal background check and drug/ alcohol screening (prior to and randomly after employment)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Good communication skills for frequent testimony and participation in accreditation reviews and symposia/seminars.
• Ability to understand and use statistics as they apply or will apply to firearms examinations and comparisons.
• Computer literacy in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

NOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

• Familiarity with accreditation standards and requirements of ANSI - ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) program and ISO 17025:2017 is required.

Licensure and Certification:

• AFTE certification in Firearms Examination is strongly preferred. AFTE certification must be obtained within one (1) year of eligibility and must comply with State of Texas Forensic Science Commission licensure requirements.

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full time; 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday
• Weekend and evening shifts may be necessary

Physical Demands:

• Physical activities include, but are not limited to, standing, walking, running, talking, and hearing.
• Requires physical strength to lift and handle large and heavy items of weighing up to forty (40) pounds in the routine performance of duties.
• Ability to safely test fire all types of firearms on a routine basis.
• Ability to work for extended periods of time while seated at a computer and/or comparison microscope.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to: Director, Firearms Identification

Routine External Contacts:

• Law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, educators and peers during professional training or participation in accreditation or certification visits.

Location:

• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
• 1861 Old Spanish Trail
  Houston, TX 77054

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02


If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Forensic Science
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• Other Related Natural Science Degree
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03


Please describe your educational background (i.e. diploma, degree, certifications, etc.) including the level of education completed, area of study, and completed major and minor programs.
04


Are you familiar with accreditation standards and requirements of ANSI - ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) program and ISO 17025:2017?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you currently have AFTE certification in Firearms?

• Yes, I am currently AFTE certified.
• No, but understand that AFTE certification must be obtained within one (1) year of eligibility and must comply with the State of Texas Forensic Science Commission licensure requirements.
• No

06


Do you currently have a Forensic Analyst Licensure by the Texas Forensic Science Commission?

• Yes
• No, not interested.

07


Have you successfully completed a training program equivalent to the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner's (AFTE) Training Manual in addition to requisite proficiency in microscopic examinations, or the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms National Firearms and Toolmark Examiner Academy (NFEA) supplemented by sufficient comparative microscopy experience, or training of similar structure at another laboratory?

• Yes
• No

08


If you answered yes in regards to the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications.(Type N/A if not applicable)
09


Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions:Advanced:A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Intermediate:A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Basic:A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.Entry Level:A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

10


This position requires possession of a valid Texas-issued driver's license with a good driving record. Do you meet the above requirement?(Please be sure to include all related details in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.)

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date
• No, I'm not interested

Required Question