Criminalist Firearms Examiner II

JOB LOCATION

8555 Double Helix Ct Englewood, Colorado 80112-7170

City of Aurora, Colorado

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

The hiring salary range for this position is $80,018 - $100,022 annually.

The deadline to submit applications is November 9th, 2026, However, it is subject to close at any time without prior notice once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.

The Firearms Examiner II performs analysis of forensic evidence through a variety of methods related to Firearms examinations.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Documents and protects evidence according to laboratory procedures, ensuring that the chain of custody is maintained

• Prepares reagents/standards used for processing and verifies their performance

• Maintains Firearms Unit reference collections and orders materials

• Performs basic instrument maintenance and quality checks

• Ensures quality of work and maintains compliance with ISO 17025:2017 standards

• Performs mechanical function examinations of pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns and safely test fires firearms

• Performs 3D topographic scanning (eg. BrassTraxTM) acquisitions of fired cartridge cases for entry into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN)

• Evaluates image correlation results (eg. Matchpoint+TM) to identify and disseminate NIBIN leads

• Performs serial number restorations

• Examines firearms and related evidence to include fired cartridge cases, fired shot shells, shotshell components, bullets and unfired ammunition

• Evaluates and microscopically compares fired evidence components from a crime scene to determine which components were fired from the same firearm(s), the number of firearms involved, and/or whether the components were fired from a particular seized firearm

• Generates well‑documented casework consistent with forensic laboratory standards and accreditation requirements

• Issues reports regarding analysis of evidence

• Testifies as an expert witness in municipal, state and federal courts as necessary regarding analysis

• Performs verifications, technical and administrative reviews of casework 

• Participates in continuing education relevant to Firearms Examination
• Completes casework on routine to highly complex or priority firearms examination requests
• Trains junior examiners; provides in-service training for investigators, attorneys, and external partners

• Contributes to SOP development, lab accreditation, internal audits, and quality assurance protocols

• May perform scientific research or validations

• Successfully complete a modified in-house training program prior to authorization as an independent Firearms examiner.

• Performs other 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:

• 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 of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE)

 

Knowledge:

 

• Deep working knowledge of scientific procedures and equipment used in firearms examination

• Deep working knowledge of safe chemical handling practices and firearm safety

• Deep working knowledge of investigative methods and techniques

• Deep working knowledge of rules of evidence and court testimony

• Deep working knowledge of accreditation requirements and forensic testing standards

 

Skills:

• Advanced skill in the application of analytical instrumentation and microscopy
• Expert communication and/or testimony on scientific matters and forensic findings to peers, law enforcement, and the court

• Proficiency in Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for evidence tracking and documentation

 

Abilities:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships

• Use critical thinking and sound reasoning

• Organize and prioritize work

• Work independent of direct supervision

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License

WORKING CONDITIONS

 

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
• Visual acuity correctable to 20/40 with no color impairment to interpret data
• Speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communications with other employees and citizens
• Occasional Standing/Walking

 

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 processing, spreadsheets and menu driven databases as a part of the laboratory automated systems

• Fume hood, balances, microscopes, stage micrometers, remote firing devices and bullet recovery equipment, scanner

• 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.

Notice Regarding Colorado Identification Document Protections (HB26‑1283)
As part of the employment eligibility verification process, the city of Aurora may request government-issued identification documents as permitted by law. Original identification documents will be reviewed only as necessary for employment eligibility verification and will not be retained longer than permitted by law. Applicants will retain possession and control of their original identification documents except for any temporary retention permitted or required by law.