Criminal Firearms Examiner II

Firearms Examiner II

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs mechanical function examinations of pistols, revolver, rifles and shotguns.
• Examines firearms-related evidence to include bullets, fired cartridge cases, fired shot shells and shotshell components, and unfired ammunition.
• Safely test fires firearms.
• Compares test fire bullets to bullets from the crime scene or individuals to determine whether the evidence bullets were fired from a particular firearm barrel.
• Compares test fired cartridge cases/shotshells to fired cartridge cases/shotshells from the crime scene to determine whether the evidence cartridge cases/shotshells were fired in a particular firearm.
• Performs serial number restoration on firearms with obliterated serial numbers.
• Performs BrassTraxTM acquisitions of test fired cartridge cases and crime scene cartridge cases into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
• Performs Matchpoint+TM correlation reviews to identify and disseminate NIBIN leads.
• Issues reports regarding analysis of evidence
• Testifies as an expert witness in municipal, state and federal courts as necessary regarding analysis
• Maintains chain of custody of evidence
• Makes reagents/standards used for processing and verifies their performance
• Performs basic instrument maintenance when necessary
• Performs verifications and technical reviews of casework
• Maintains the firearms reference collection and stock ammunition collection.
• Maintains compliance with ISO 17025-2017 standards
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications & Working Conditions

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• Must have obtained a bachelor's degree in forensic science, a physical or natural science, or directly related field, from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Successful completion of a documented firearms examiner training plan, similar in scope to the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners training manual (approximately 2 years in length).
• 3 years of experience as a firearms examiner in a law enforcement laboratory or directly related environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification by the Association Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners

Knowledge:

• Appropriate scientific procedures and equipment used in firearms examination
• Safe handling practices for firearms and chemicals in use by the laboratory
• Investigative methods and techniques
• Rules of evidence and court testimony
• ISO 17025-2017 accreditation requirements as they apply to firearms examination

Skills:

• Strong analytical and communication skills Skill in the use of standard office equipment as well as laboratory instrumentation Skill in firearms examination

Abilities:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing Establish and maintain effective working relationships. Organize and prioritize work. Properly use and maintain scientific equipment. Prepare reagents Prepare accurate reports. Maintain secure custody of evidence while in their possession. Work independent of direct supervision. Testify effectively on scientific matters in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License

Working Conditions

• Occasional Standing/Walking- Occurs up to 31 minutes to 2.5 hours per shift

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Medium work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds with or without assistance at a time Frequent Hand/eye coordination to operate computer, laboratory instruments and other testing instruments Infrequent Foot/eye coordination to operate motor vehicle Occasional Visual acuity correctable to 20/40 with no color impairment to interpret data Occasional Speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communications with other employees and citizens

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in an office/laboratory environment Exposure to biohazard contamination, chemicals, odors and noise

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and menu driven databases as a part of the laboratory automated systems Microscopes. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References: As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.