Join the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) Physical Sciences Section (PSS) of the Ministry of the Solicitor General, where you will provide group leadership, mentoring and supervision to technical staff by assigning work and providing training, advice and resolution of technical issues.
Information sessionWant to learn more about this opportunity?
Join us for an information session on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11:30 am -12:00 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.
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Meeting ID: 264 166 125 189 402
Passcode: Q2Cq6m4j
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Tenant key: teams@msteams.ontario.ca
Video ID: 115 320 074 6
Attendance at the session is optional and will have no impact on hiring decisions.
Note: • The results of this competition may be used to fill upcoming permanent or temporary vacancies within 14 months of the conclusion of this recruitment.
About the job
In this challenging role, you will:
• participate in the Centre's Quality Assurance Program by preparing and administering staff testing, drafting and reviewing CFS and national CIBIN (Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network) procedures, conducting technical reviews, providing mentoring and expertise to other scientists and technologists, and participating in the laboratory accreditation process.
• provide examination and management of cases, items, and samples submitted by police services requiring forensic firearms testing; and ensure the testing, examinations and evidence handling conform to the methods, standard operating procedures, and policies.
• provide demonstrations and supervision for staff training on various modules including IBIS (Integrated Ballistics Identification System), microscopic comparisons and firearm operability
• be responsible for operating, maintaining, and validating analytical instrumentation to ensure effective operation
• plan and conduct research projects and evaluate the need for process changes in order to reflect current standards and best practices in the field of forensic physical science
• act as an advisor to clients by responding to enquiries and liaising with client groups about forensic firearms services
• provide training and education to Centre staff, client groups, forensic professionals, and students through presentations, lectures, seminars, and speaking events at national/international meeting on forensic science and related areas of expertise.
**Important application instructions**As part of the application process, please provide a written response to the following question and upload as one document with your cover letter and resume. Those that do not provide a written response will NOT move onto the screening stage.
Question: In 250 words or less, tell us why you think it is important to have a robust quality assurance system in a Forensic Laboratory.
What you bring to the team
Technical knowledge
You have:
• demonstrated knowledge of quality assurance in order to ensure compliance with established laboratory accreditation standards and quality assurance programs
• demonstrated ability to understand and follow policies, methods, and operating procedures
• knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation
• advanced training, knowledge, and experience in laboratory practices and techniques such as the operation of firearms and comparison of fired ammunition components and their application to forensic science
• extensive experience and demonstrated ability to set up, operate, maintain, validate and troubleshoot assigned instrumentation such as the IBIS and comparison microscopes
• the ability to understand evidence handling practices in order to comply with court requirements
• knowledge of accreditation standards (e.g. ISO17025 and ANSI National Accreditation Board) to ensure all standards are met
• knowledge of leading edge and emerging technology in the field of forensic firearms
• excellent knowledge of the requirements of research and development in order to facilitate advances in the field of forensic Physical Science examinations by evaluating current practices and recommending modifications or new procedures, equipment, or products
Leadership skills
You have:
• demonstrated leadership skills within an interactive team environment, including the ability to plan and prioritize work, provide advice and training, and solve problems
Analytical and problem-solving skills
You can:
• troubleshoot instrumentation as well as ensure effective operations and production of reliable results
Communication skills
You have:
• good written and verbal communication skills to communicate with clients and colleagues
• the ability to provide training and education to staff, students and external client groups
Time management skills
You can:
• balance caseload and training activities and resolve competing pressures and demands
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:
What we offer
The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups
This role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:
• a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
• group health, dental, life and disability benefits
• a range of vacation and leave options
• an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services