Forensic Scientist, Firearms

---

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.

---

About the job

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

Information Session:
Want to learn more about this opportunity?

Join us for an information session on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 12 pm EST where you will have a chance to find out more about the job, the team and the Branch, and have an opportunity for a Q&A period.
Register here.
Attendance at the session is optional and will have no impact on hiring decisions.

---

What you bring to the team

Mandatory

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

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.

---

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

---

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

---

Additional information:

Note:

• About security checks:
  A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
  If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
  Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
• T-SL-247915/26

---

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 job description 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.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.