Forensic Scientist, Firearms

Fonction publique de l'Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 3,916,000 - 5,050,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Public Service seeks a Scientist 4 (G22) to examine evidence in criminal investigations, test firearms, lead scientific projects, and provide expert testimony in court. The role emphasizes independent scientific analysis, accreditation participation, and mentoring of teams.

The candidate should hold an Honours BSc in physical, life or forensic sciences, with experience in lab examinations and data interpretation.

Qualifications

• Honours BSc. degree in physical, life or forensic sciences or equivalent.
• Experience planning and coordinating research using statistics to evaluate data.
• Experience in a laboratory using scientific instruments for examinations.
• Knowledge of software applications to evaluate data, interpret results and prepare reports.

Responsibilities

• Examine evidence including firearms, ammunition, propellants and clothing submitted during criminal investigations.
• Test fire firearms to obtain comparison material.
• Provide project management and group leadership in assigned cases as a scientific resource.
• Provide objective, independent scientific expertise during police and other investigations.
• Educate clients on evidence collection, preservation, and interpretation of test results.
• Provide testimony as an expert witness in court.
• Participate in laboratory accreditation processes.
• Conduct, plan and coordinate research.

Skills

Evidence examination

Testimony in court

Research planning

Statistical analysis

Scientific reporting

Education

Honours BSc in physical, life or forensic sciences

Tools

Laboratory instruments

SOPs

Data interpretation software

Job description

Apply By:Tuesday, September 1, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

1 Temporary up to 18 months, with possible extension

Job code:

15548G - Scientist 4 (G22)

$1,655.00 - $2,134.54 Per week* (G22 Salary Note)
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

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.

Attendance at the session is optional and will have no impact on hiring decisions.

Mandatory

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

Scientific Research and Applications Skills

• 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

• 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

• 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:

• 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

• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 18 months, 25 Morton Shulman Ave, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, Local Police Databases Search
• 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.
• OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
• If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please ContactUs 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.