FORENSIC TECHNOLOGIST - FIREARMS

Requisition No: 211061 

Agency: Department of Law Enforcement

Working Title: FORENSIC TECHNOLOGIST - FIREARMS

Position Number: TBD 

Salary:  29,344.38 

Posting Closing Date: 12/31/2020 

ABOUT OUR AGENCY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) employs more than 1,900 members statewide – either at headquarters in Tallahassee or in one of seven regional operations centers (ROCs). Services are delivered by five key areas: Executive Direction and Business Support; Investigations and Forensic Science; Florida Capitol Police; Criminal Justice Information Services; and Criminal Justice Professionalism. Click here for additional information about FDLE.

MISSION:

To promote public safety and strengthen domestic security by providing services in partnership with local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies to prevent, investigate, and solve crimes while protecting Florida citizen’s and visitors.

FORENSIC TECHNOLOGIST – FIREARMS POOL

Firearms sections are located in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee and Tampa only.

 To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications(s) listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All qualified applicants are placed into a hiring pool.  As vacancies become available, you may be contacted for an interview.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A bachelor’s or advanced degree in physical, biological or forensic science from an accredited college or university; or 

2. A non-science degree with the completion of at least 12 credit hours in physical or biological science-related coursework graded at a “C” or better and a minimum of two years professional experience in an accredited forensic laboratory.  

3. Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners Certification may substitute for the required college education.  

4. Professional or technical experience in either an accredited forensic laboratory or an accredited law enforcement agency in the Firearms discipline may substitute on a year-for- year basis for the required college education.

An official transcript is needed to confirm your qualifications for this position. If applying for multiple forensic laboratory positions, only one set of official, sealed transcripts is required.

• TRANSCRIPTS MUST STATE THAT THE DEGREE HAS BEEN AWARDED.
• OFFICIAL, SEALED TRANSCRIPTS FROM ALL UNIVERSITIES ATTENDED MUST BE PROVIDED BEFORE APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED.
  Please notify us if your last name has changed from what is on the transcript.
• Your application will only be processed after all materials are received.
• Mail transcripts to:
  Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Attention: Office of Human Resources-Lab Applicant, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee FL 32302-1489.
  Current FDLE members must notify the Office of Human Resources when applying by sending an email to the FDLE employment mailbox (Jobs@fdle.state.fl.us) to remain active in the internal pool.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific responsibilities for this position include:

• Analyzing firearms, fired ammunition components, unfired ammunition and cartridge case images by using various comparative microscopy techniques and equipment, including computer databases;
• Test firing firearms to determine their mechanical and functioning condition; and
• Comparing test results with cartridge cases and shot shells in the NIBIN database.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of terminology and techniques used in a forensic laboratory;
• Knowledge of the procedure for packaging, handling and preserving evidence;
• Skill in the preparation of reagents and the use of scientific laboratory equipment;
• Ability to give sworn testimony in court; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

HIRING PROCESS:

You will be evaluated for this job based on your previous knowledge and experience. Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience and education. Your qualifications will be based on knowledge, skills, and abilities and other elements relevant to this position supported by the information in your application. Qualifying questions will only be credited if verifiable by the information provided on your application including specifically required software/computer skills. You may be contacted to participate in a selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, and in-person interviews.  You may be notified by email to participate in a selection process. Failure to reply within a designated timeframe may exclude you from further consideration. Future vacancies may be filled from this position advertisement.

BACKGROUND:

FDLE requires an extensive background process of all recommended applicants. The elements of a background include: financial credit check, criminal history of applicant and applicant’s immediate family or roommates, personal references, employment verifications, drug screen and fingerprinting.  This information will be utilized to make the final hiring decision.

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:

• Starting salary will be the minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE’s pay policy. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave;
• HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month;
• $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage;
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more;
• Pension and investment retirement plan options;

(This position is classified as Special Risk Retirement, which provides members a greater retirement credit accrual rate and requires fewer years of service to reach full retirement benefits than is required for non-Special Risk members.)

• Tax deferred medical and child care reimbursement accounts; and
• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program. 

NOTES:

Preference will be given to current FDLE members who have satisfactorily completed their probationary period or served at least one year in their current position. Preference may be given to applicants in the State Personnel System who have satisfactorily completed their probationary period or served at least one year in their current position.

REMINDERS:

1. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
2. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be cancelled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.