Topic: Firearms Senior Scientist (Technical Leader) - Gaithersburg, MD (closes 8/29/22)

[Heather Johnson]

Agency Website:
https://ex12.montgomerycountymd.gov/ojn1/ijn1/OA_HTML/OA.jsp?page=/oracle/apps/irc/candidateSelfService/webui/VisVacDispPG&OAHP=IRC_EXT_SITE_VISITOR_APPL&OASF=IRC_VIS_VAC_DISPLAY&akRegionApplicationId=821&transactionid=273486626&retainAM=N&addBreadCrumb=RP&p_svid=55162&p_spid=2627648&oapc=6&oas=Wyg2Q2wRiCsDcP8Fy1DuaQ 

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search/?currentJobId=3200516779&geoId=103644278&keywords=senior%20forensic%20scientist&location=United%20States&refresh=true

Senior Forensic Scientist (Firearms Examination Unit) - Grade 26Gaithersburg, MDMontgomery County Department of PoliceMedical Exam: Core II Exam with Drug & Alcohol ScreenBackground Investigation: Yes (no poly)Financial Disclosure: No

CLOSING DATE: August 29, 2022 Effective August 30, 2021, all new hires will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus prior to their first date of employment.  Individuals who are unable to be vaccinated should contact OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov to discuss possible accommodations. This is a senior position within the Forensic Scientist classification series and is responsible for the technical operations of the Firearms Examination unit (FEU) and will serve as the Technical Leader.  This position plays an interactive part within the Crime Laboratory to impart technical oversight and evaluate and promote aspects of the quality system within the FEU.  The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge in the discipling of Firearms Examinations and will work with management to monitor, implement, and develop policies and procedures. In this capacity, the incumbent for this position will also conduct examinations to include microscopic comparisons for the purpose of identifications; firearms comparisons with projectiles and fired cartridge cases; testing firearms for proper function and safety; toolmark comparisons; restoration of obliterated serial numbers and NIBIN entry and correlation reviews.  Due to the sensitive legal nature of the work, the employee is required to apply complex technical procedures in order to make critical and accurate identifications, prepare written reports and testify in court to these findings. The Senior Scientist is responsible for overseeing the training of new and current analysts, as well as providing training to law enforcement and attorneys; conducting validation studies and/or testing on new or modified procedures; performing annual review of the quality system to ensure compliance; monitoring the quality of analysis; including compliance with the Laboratory quality system, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Requirements, ANAB Accreditation Requirements, as well as the State of Maryland mandated guidelines for Forensic Laboratories (COMAR 10.51.01). Additional duties are resolving technical problems, conflicts, or failures which may be encountered during daily operations by determining appropriate solutions and reporting them through the quality system; preparing the unit for internal and external assessments; planning and carrying on assignments and coordinating work with others; maintaining and modifying of Unit level manuals, worksheets, report templates, and required inventories (such as the Firearms Reference Collection) and coordinating the maintenance and operational checks of the equipment used in the FEU. Lastly, the employee will be creating and/or reviewing competency tests and proficiency tests as needed; staying current with continuing education, attends conferences and reviews literature to stay abreast of emerging treads in analytical technology and instrumentation in order to make recommendations for implementation; ensuring that Unit training requirements are met, evaluating casework trends, collecting and maintaining unit statistical information, and improving or revising standards and controls for analytical casework and may be tasked to assignment and prioritization of case load. Performance of the work of the class involves occasional exposure to elevate noise levels resulting from the discharging of firearms, exposure to lead and residues from blood and body fluids on bullets and firearms.  The work requires strict observance of safety.
Additional Employment Information

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		Effective August 30, 2021 all new hires will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus prior to their first date of employment. Individuals who are unable to be vaccinated should contact OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov to discuss possible accommodations. OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume. Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Minimum Qualifications

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		Experience:Five (5) years of professional experience in a laboratory actively engaged in the forensic sciences in the discipline of Firearms and Toolmark Examination. Education:Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a natural, physical or forensic science.  Specific Federal or State mandated educational requirements shall apply. Equivalency:An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted if and exactly as permitted by the applicable Federal and State mandate. License:Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence when required for job-related duties.
Preferred Criteria

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		1.  Experience in firearms and toolmarks analysis to include writing conclusive reports. 2. Experience testifying in court as an expert witness. 3. Experience in maintaining accreditation related standards within a firearms unit, including writing, modifying, and implementing laboratory procedures and QA/QC measures, preferably under ISO/IEC 17025:2017. 4. Experience overseeing and/or remediating any technical aspects of a firearms unit to ensure adherence to standards to maintain accreditation and meet laboratory requirements.
Minimum Salary

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72061
Maximum Salary

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118509
Currency

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USD