Topic: Examiner Position with Harris County Sheriff's Office, Houston, Texas

[Jill Dupre]

   HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
      REGIONAL FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION LABORATORY

Job Announcement :  Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner

Primary Responsibilities:
A.   Laboratory Examination responsibilities to include:
1.   Forensic examination and comparison of firearms and firearms related evidence.
2.   Forensic examination of tool mark evidence
3.   Serial number restoration
4.   Distance Approximation
B.     Preparation of detailed technical reports outlining the results of examinations along with appropriate supporting documentation.
C.     Provide clear and concise courtroom testimony as an expert witness related to examination procedures and results.
  
        D.   Must remain abreast of advances in examination techniques and changes within the firearms industry.
E.    Familiar with the Integrated Ballistics Identification System
        (IBIS) to include:
1.   Ability to properly enter and image specimens into the              system.
2.   Ability to review and evaluate correlation results
3.   Provide support to remote sites and other agencies entering specimens into the system
F.   Respond to crime scenes to provide technical assistance as directed by the Crime Scene Unit Supervisor.
G.   Must be available for after duty hour call out and /or shift assignment.


Educational/Experience Requirements:
A.   Must have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution with a major in natural or physical science.          
(forensic science, biology, physics, engineering)
B.   Preferably have successfully completed a training program equivalent to the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiner’s Training program along with successful competency testing. Completion of the National Firearms Examiner’s Academy would also meet the training requirement.
C.   Candidate must have also completed a period of one year of supervised case work and possess the ability to thoroughly and accurately examine complex case work specimens under minimal supervision or direction.
D.   A candidate with experience at a technician level may qualify for the position and would be required to complete an in-house
       training program. However such a candidate must meet or exceed the educational requirements as outlined above.   

Salary :
    
       Range     $ 50,640 annually   to $59,112 annually                                                                                              
•   3% Increase to take effect September 29th 2007

Benefits:

Benefits include excellent retirement plan, deferred compensation, paid health, dental and vision coverage for the employee. Two weeks vacation initially, increasing to maximum of five weeks.  Sick leave accrues at the rate of 3 hours biweekly to a maximum of 480 hours.

Contact Information :

Robert D. Baldwin, Laboratory Manager
J.A.J . Forensic Center
1885 Old Spanish Trail Road
Houston, Texas 77054
Phone:  (713) 796-6755
Fax : (713) 797-9279
E-mail: Robert_Baldwin@itc.co.harris.tx.us