This position is located at the Western Regional Lab in Edneyville, Henderson County, North Carolina.

The primary purpose of the Firearms Unit is to provide the North Carolina Criminal Justice System with trained and experienced forensic scientists who analyze evidence seized in the course of criminal investigations. The forensic services provided include laboratory analysis, expert witness testimony and training on evidence collection/handling in the areas of firearm examination/comparison, serial number restoration, tool mark examination/comparison and gunshot residue / pellet pattern distance determination.

The primary purpose of this Forensic Scientist I is to perform entry level Firearms casework – an equitable share of the analyses performed by the unit, prepare written reports of the results of the analyses, and provide expert testimony in court on the results of the analyses.

Meet a Forensic Firearms examiner at this link: Firearms

The Forensic Scientist I will complete prescribed Firearms training requirements before beginning casework.

The primary purpose of a Forensic Scientist I is to perform casework on firearms evidence seized by law enforcement officers in the course of their investigations. Analysis of evidence consists of one or more of the following:

• Evaluation of a firearm to determine functionality, safety, and alterations
• Test-firing of firearms
• Determination of caliber
• Determination of whether unknown ammunition components were fired from a particular firearm
• Determination of IBIS suitability
• Restoration of obliterated serial numbers

The Forensic Scientist I will perform casework with a limited degree of technical independence.

The Forensic Scientist must testify in state and federal courts as to his/her analysis of the evidence. The Forensic Scientist is, through education, training and experience, qualified by the court as an expert in the field of forensic firearms analysis before being allowed to testify about the analysis. As an expert witness, the Forensic Scientist must explain and defend in detail the analysis, including the procedures and techniques used, the results of the analysis, and how the results of the analysis apply in the given case.

The Forensic Scientist has regular contact with members of the criminal justice system and consults with the officials in reference to investigation matters specifically related to the laboratory's analytical capabilities and limitations

Overtime and on-call are required in this position. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Forensic Scientist participates in competency and proficiency testing.

The Forensic Scientist shall be required to obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within 18 months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entities.

• Selected candidate will undergo and must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation which may take several months to complete. The background investigation includes: credit and arrest checks; interviews with associates, personal and business references, past employers and neighbors; verification of education achievement, urinalysis drug screening and polygraph.
• Out of state applicants: This may require the applicant to return to the State of North Carolina multiple times at his or her own expense after the initial interview, in order to undergo the background investigation process.
• In accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 126-1.1( c), effective July 11, 2016, employees who are hired by a State agency, department or university in a sworn law enforcement position or forensic scientist position and who are required to complete a formal training program prior to assuming law enforcement or forensic scientist duties with the hiring agency, department or university shall become career State employees only after being employed by the agency, department or university for 24 continuous months .
• Employees who transfer into forensic scientist positions from other positions within N.C. State government and are currently Career State employees will be required to complete a probationary period of 24 additional months.
• In accordance with Section 17.5 of Senate Bill 402, The Department of Justice shall not hire sworn personnel to fill vacant positions in the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the termination of sworn personnel, but as vacant positions in the State Laboratory are filled, they shall be filled only with non sworn personnel. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect North Carolina State Crime Laboratory personnel who are sworn and employed by the Laboratory as of the effective date of this section and who continue to meet the sworn status retention standards mandated by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission.
• ** Transcripts are required at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
• Foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency to be provided at the time of application.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR A NEW HIRE TO THIS POSITION IS LIMITED TO THE RECRUITMENT RANGE OF $47,959 to $65,944. Salary determination is based upon the candidate's education and experience related to the position, as well as departmental budget and equity considerations.

Note to Current State Employees:
The salary grade for this position is NC14. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. Please detail ALL work history including non-state service experience. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY or MAY NOT result.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

1. Employees must have knowledge of the principles, concepts, theories, reference sources and laboratory practices involved with the forensic examination of evidence.
2. Employees must have knowledge of criminal law and of the rules and regulations regarding evidence gathering and handling.
3. Employees must have knowledge of scientific methodology and of laboratory safety practices.
4. Ability to perform and record complex standardized and non-standardized laboratory tests and procedures.
5. Ability to analyze results, interpret methodology and to understand and solve theoretical problems.
6. Ability to express technical information clearly both orally and in writing when reporting results, testifying or explaining procedures to others.
7. Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
8. Ability to perceive colors normally and make olfactory distinctions.
9. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a major in forensic science, chemistry, biology, physical science (physics), mechanical engineering, criminal justice or closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirement Must obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within eighteen months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entity.

Management prefers 2 years of related experience.