Forensic Scientist, Firearms

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The Centre of Forensic Sciences is seeking your expertise for the role of Forensic Scientist, Firearms. This is an exciting opportunity to become a part of the Ontario justice system by providing expertise and conducting forensic testing of all types of firearms, ammunition, tools and their markings seized during criminal and other investigations.

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OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role you will:
• Examine evidence including firearms, ammunition, propellants and clothing submitted during the course of criminal investigations
•Test fire firearms in order to obtain comparison material
•Provide project management and group leadership in assigned cases by acting as a scientific resource to others
•Provide objective, independent scientific expertise during police and other official investigations
• Educate clients on proper evidence collection and preservation, and on the applicability and limitations of scientific test results
•Provide testimony as an expert witness in all levels of court
•Participate in the laboratory accreditation process
• Conduct, plan and coordinate research

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How do I qualify?

Mandatory

An honours BSc. degree or its equivalent in one of the physical, life or forensic sciences.

**Important Application Instructions**

As part of your application submission, please provide your written response (250 words or less) to the following:

Question: What are inconclusive results in ballistic cases?
Provide answer to the question.

-Your response must be clear and concise, limited to 250 words or less, and must be written at a level understandable by a person with no scientific background.
-Write your full name on your written response and upload as one document with your cover letter and resume. ONLY applications including a completed response to this question will be considered in the screening stage.

Scientific Research and Applications Skills

You have:
•Demonstrated experience in conducting, planning and coordinating research, including using statistics to evaluate scientific data.
•Demonstrated experience in a laboratory using scientific instruments to conduct examinations.
•Demonstrated experience in using technical standard operating procedures to conduct examinations.
•Demonstrated knowledge of software applications in order to evaluate data, to interpret results and to prepare reports.

Oral and Written Communication and Interpersonal Skills

You have:
•Proven ability to effectively communicate complex technical information
•Ability to provide clear instructions to a diverse group of peers, scientific and technical staff and provide expert testimony in court.
•Demonstrated experience in preparing reports for publication and/or reviewing scientific research.
•Experience in presenting research to an audience or providing lectures discussing scientific principles or findings.
•Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues in a professional setting.

Technical Knowledge

You have:
•Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of Firearms & Toolmarks and ability to provide expertise and lead forensic programs.
•Knowledge of manufacturing methods such as techniques used to produce firearms, ammunition and tools.
•Knowledge and experience in the comparative sciences including, but not limited to forensic science disciplines such as firearms & toolmarks comparison, physical match, document examination, or forensic microscopy.

Other General knowledge:

You have an ability to acquire and apply knowledge of the following:
•Relevant forensic sciences including scientific limitations, scene of crime and autopsy protocols.
•Critical review of the scientific literature
•The Canadian court system including the rules of evidence in order to fulfill the requirements. (may be acquired through attending university class, work experience, testifying in court).
•Relevant legislation, case law or technical standards to specific case scenarios.
•Quality assurance principles and practices (International Organization for Standardization) 17025 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act to ensure compliance and maintain accreditations requirements.

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Additional information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• T-SL-223860/24(2)

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How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

All Ontario Public Service external job advertisements are posted in English and French. To confirm the language requirements of a job, check the "language of position" information at the top of each job ad. For all positions, candidates will be assessed in English, the business language of the Ontario Public Service. For English/French designated bilingual positions, candidates will also be assessed through French-language proficiency testing.

Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario sont affichées en anglais et en français. Pour connaître les exigences linguistiques, vérifiez les renseignements sur la " langue du poste " figurant dans le haut de chaque offre d'emploi. Pour tous les postes, l'évaluation des candidates et candidats se fera en anglais, la langue usuelle de la fonction publique de l'Ontario. En ce qui concerne les postes désignés bilingues, la maîtrise du français des candidates et candidats sera également évaluée.

The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .