Firearms Examiner

The Onondaga County Health Department Forensic Laboratories

is currently accepting applications for the position of:

Firearms Examiner I, II or III

Location:  Wallie Howard Jr. Center for Forensic Sciences

100 Elizabeth Blackwell Street

Syracuse, NY 13210 

Salary: $63,068– $81,833 DOE

Hours of work: 35 hours per week 

Official job description, including minimum qualifications, can be found on the Personnel page at Onondaga County Job Descriptions. Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae/resume, and transcript(s) to:

Lauren Pyland, Director of Operations 

Email: laurenpyland@ongov.net

Located in the center of New York State, Onondaga County is home to the City of Syracuse. We are within a 5-hour drive from New York City, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, and the Adirondack Mountains, and are conveniently situated at the intersection of Interstate 81 and the New York State Thruway. 

Our four-season climate provides warm summers for boating on the Finger Lakes, vivid fall foliage in our surrounding countryside, blankets of snow for winter sports enthusiasts, and budding springtime shopping and dining in our unique lakeside villages of Skaneateles, Cazenovia, and Geneva.

The Central New York (CNY) region is home to 35 higher education institutions including Syracuse University. This network plays a part in CNY’s rich innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities. Syracuse is also known as one of the top green cities in the US, and is named one of the most affordable cities to live in the US.

From tech, the arts, cultural events, and beautiful natural surroundings to sports and seasonal outdoor activities, Onondaga County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

The Onondaga County Forensic Laboratories is a full-service ANAB accredited forensic laboratory outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. The Forensic Laboratories provide high quality scientific laboratory services in support of the administration of justice and public safety programs for the citizens of Onondaga County. The office is located in the Wallie Howard Jr. Center for Forensic Sciences facility that also houses the county's Medical Examiner's office.

JOB DUTIES

The work involves responsibility for processing items of physical evidence for the purpose of firearms, ammunition, and tool mark identification and analysis using various physical and chemical methods; conducting analysis utilizing 3Dimaging stations such as the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network; preparation and presentations of findings in written reports, serving as an expert witness in court, performing technical review of casework and performing quality control and quality assurance related tasks. All work is performed in accordance with Federal and State accreditation requirements and departmental procedure manuals and guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Level One: 

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a natural science, forensic science, criminalistics or a closely related field.

Level Two: 

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a natural science, forensic science, criminalistics or a closely related field; and two (2) years of work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a forensic examiner in the discipline of Firearms for the Firearms Examiner II position.

Level Three:

 Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a natural science, forensic science, criminalistics or a closely related field; and five (5) years of work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a forensic examiner in the discipline of Firearms for the Firearms Examiner III position.

NOTE: Education may be substituted for experience as follows: A Master’s Degree in a natural science, forensic science, criminalistics or a closely related field can be substituted for one (1) year of the required work experience for the Firearms Examiner III position only.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Applicants will be required to undergo a State and national criminal history background investigation which will include a fingerprint check to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in disqualification.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for the position is $63,068 to $81,833 depending on qualifications and experience, with scheduled annual increases, and a competitive benefits package:

•Medical, dental and vision coverage

•Annual vacation, sick, personal leave, and paid holidays

•New York State Retirement/Pension and Deferred Compensation Program

•Flexible Spending Accounts

•No-cost Long Term Disability

•35-hour work week

•Optional 4-day work week

TO APPLY

Please email a cover letter, curriculum vitae and transcript(s) to:

Lauren Pyland, Director of Operations at laurenpyland@ongov.net

Deadline for applications: May 10, 2024

Onondaga County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer