What are the responsibilities and job description for the POLICE EMPLOYEES ONLY: Firearms Examiner position at City of Colorado Springs?
Description / Position Overview
About the Job: As a Firearms Examiner for CSPD's (Colorado Springs Police Department) Metro Crime Lab, you will perform firearm and tool mark examinations, prepare technical reports that support analytical findings, and present them in a court of law through expert witness testimony.
Job Posting Statement: This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year, and any furloughs subsequently approved.
Come explore the possibilities a career with the City of Colorado Springs can offer!
As a Firearms Examiner, You Will
Minimum Qualifications
Please contact CSPD Human Resources at cspdhiring@coloradosprings.gov for any questions about this position.
This position requires the ability to respond to crime scene locations.
Pre-employment Requirements: The job offer will be contingent upon successful completion of a polygraph examination, extensive background check, and other pre-employment assessments.
Applicants that have used marijuana or CBD products within 3 months from the date of their application submission will not be eligible for hire. More information about the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Marijuana Use Policy can be found here.
The job offer will be contingent upon successful completion of a polygraph examination, extensive background check, and other pre-employment assessments.
The background check for this position includes a polygraph examination and fingerprinting.
Primary Work Environment: Laboratory environment with some travel from site to site and possible exposure to extreme weather conditions
Extreme Temperature - Seasonally
Wetness and Humidity - Seasonally
Respiratory Hazards - Daily (laboratory environment)
Noise and Vibrations - Daily (laboratory environment)
Physical Hazards - Daily
Mechanical and/or Electrical Hazards - Occasionally
Exposure to Communicable Diseases - Occasionally
NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a culture that values our employees’ unique individual qualities and fosters an inclusive environment where people want to be.
The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.
NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.
The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B or TN visas). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Apply to Join Our Team
You can view the status of your application on the City of Colorado Springs Careers page.
To be notified of future career opportunities sign up for job alerts on the Job Alerts page.
Working for the City of Colorado Springs is Rewarding!
Please visit the City of Colorado Springs' Total Rewards Site for additional benefits information.
The City of Colorado Springs is a place where people want to come to work each day. We have a culture of excellence, and we strive to provide our employees with the very best overall career experience and Total Rewards. We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program to meet the needs of our employees and their families.
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in in a related area of study?
Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in an area of study such as general chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biology, microbiology, criminology, or other forensic related science field?
Do you have three or more years of full-time full-time, professional experience in a related field?
Do you have experience specific to firearms and tool marks?
Do you have experience as an expert witness?
Do you possess, or can you obtain, a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver's license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges?
Do you possess (FA-AFTE) Certification in Firearms Evidence Examination and Identification?
Do you possess (FA-AFTE) Certification in (GSR-AFTE) Gunshot Residue Evidence Examination and Identification?
Do you possess (TM-AFTE)Toolmark Evidence Examination and Identification?
Do you have familiarity with Digital Evidence Management Systems and Laboratory Information Management Systems?
If you are a current City of Colorado Springs employee, please enter your employee identification number. If not a City employee, please enter n/a.
12
Do you have a relative who is employed in the department where you are applying to work?
By answering yes to this question, I acknowledge that I have read and understand CSPD's Marijuana Use Policy, which can be found on CSPD's website (https://cspd.coloradosprings.gov/content/marijuana-use-0).
About the Job: As a Firearms Examiner for CSPD's (Colorado Springs Police Department) Metro Crime Lab, you will perform firearm and tool mark examinations, prepare technical reports that support analytical findings, and present them in a court of law through expert witness testimony.
Job Posting Statement: This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year, and any furloughs subsequently approved.
Come explore the possibilities a career with the City of Colorado Springs can offer!
As a Firearms Examiner, You Will
- Performs mechanically functioning examinations and test firing of wide variety of handguns, rifles, and shot guns.
- Identifies and analyzes firearms and related physical evidence to include bullets, cartridge cases, shot shells, wadding and live ammunition.
- BrassTrax Acquisitions for National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) entry
- Performs tool mark comparisons as they relate to firearms
- Performs muzzle to target distance determinations.
- Identification of firearm make, model, caliber, and type.
- Performs serial number restoration
- Complete data entry in LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System).
- Complete work under the appropriate standard operating procedures in accordance with the quality assurance system set forth by the Metro Crime Laboratory.
- Prepares technical reports that support analytical findings.
- Provides courtroom testimony as an expert witness
- Review forensic technical journals and attend available training to stay abreast of developments in the field of firearms and toolmark examination and other related forensic disciplines.
- Assist with any technical functions or processes within the laboratory as they related to firearms and toolmarks.
- Provides training for law enforcement academies, officers and attorneys in the firearms discipline.
- Knowledge of operations, services, and workflow of a forensics crime laboratory
- Knowledge of equipment, applications, methods, and materials used in a forensic crime laboratory
- Knowledge of legal procedures for the admission of evidence in criminal investigations
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in verbal and written English, to include public speaking while articulating complex technical data
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers, and other law enforcement/judicial personnel
- Ability to handle heavy volumes of work while maintaining accuracy
- Ability to work effectively under pressure
- Ability to testify in court proceedings as an expert witness
- Ability to apply critical thinking skills with good judgment and a high degree of professional credibility
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related area of study, preferably general chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biology, microbiology, criminology, or other forensic related science field.
- Three years of full-time, professional experience in a related field, preferably forensic laboratory experience in firearm and toolmark examinations, including experience as an expert witness.
- Possess, or obtain within 30 days of hire, and maintain a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver's license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges.
- Experience working in an ISO-17025 Accredited Laboratory
- IBIS/NIBIN training and experience
- Familiarity with Digital Evidence Management Systems and Laboratory Information Management Systems.
- The following AFTE (Association of Firearm and ToolMark Examiners) certifications:
- (FA-AFTE) Certification in Firearms Evidence Examination and Identification;
- (GSR-AFTE) Gunshot Residue Evidence Examination and Identification; and/or
- (TM-AFTE) Toolmark Evidence Examination and Identification
Please contact CSPD Human Resources at cspdhiring@coloradosprings.gov for any questions about this position.
This position requires the ability to respond to crime scene locations.
Pre-employment Requirements: The job offer will be contingent upon successful completion of a polygraph examination, extensive background check, and other pre-employment assessments.
Applicants that have used marijuana or CBD products within 3 months from the date of their application submission will not be eligible for hire. More information about the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Marijuana Use Policy can be found here.
The job offer will be contingent upon successful completion of a polygraph examination, extensive background check, and other pre-employment assessments.
The background check for this position includes a polygraph examination and fingerprinting.
Primary Work Environment: Laboratory environment with some travel from site to site and possible exposure to extreme weather conditions
Extreme Temperature - Seasonally
Wetness and Humidity - Seasonally
Respiratory Hazards - Daily (laboratory environment)
Noise and Vibrations - Daily (laboratory environment)
Physical Hazards - Daily
Mechanical and/or Electrical Hazards - Occasionally
Exposure to Communicable Diseases - Occasionally
NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a culture that values our employees’ unique individual qualities and fosters an inclusive environment where people want to be.
The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.
NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.
The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B or TN visas). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Apply to Join Our Team
- Please visit the City of Colorado Springs Careers page and review our opportunities. Click on Apply button to complete an online application for any position of interest. All job applicants will need to create a new login and online application (unless you already have a Government Jobs user ID and password).
- Completing your application in full, including the entire work experience section, will assist Human Resources in the applicant screening process. Your application may not be considered if all of the information requested for each employer you list is not provided.
- Applicants may redact information from their resumes, certifications, transcripts, or any other additional application materials that identify the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
- We encourage candidates with out-of-state credentials to inquire about expedited processing of Colorado licensing with the Colorado Occupational Credential Portability Program. More information can be found at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Licensing Portability page
- Our Government Jobs application system does not allow you to edit your application after it has been submitted for a position. If you want to make changes, you may submit another application prior to the position’s closing date and time listed in the job posting. HR will review the last application you submit for a position.
You can view the status of your application on the City of Colorado Springs Careers page.
To be notified of future career opportunities sign up for job alerts on the Job Alerts page.
Working for the City of Colorado Springs is Rewarding!
Please visit the City of Colorado Springs' Total Rewards Site for additional benefits information.
The City of Colorado Springs is a place where people want to come to work each day. We have a culture of excellence, and we strive to provide our employees with the very best overall career experience and Total Rewards. We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program to meet the needs of our employees and their families.
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in in a related area of study?
- Yes
- No
Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in an area of study such as general chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biology, microbiology, criminology, or other forensic related science field?
- Yes
- No
Do you have three or more years of full-time full-time, professional experience in a related field?
- Yes
- No
Do you have experience specific to firearms and tool marks?
- Yes
- No
Do you have experience as an expert witness?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess, or can you obtain, a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver's license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess (FA-AFTE) Certification in Firearms Evidence Examination and Identification?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess (FA-AFTE) Certification in (GSR-AFTE) Gunshot Residue Evidence Examination and Identification?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess (TM-AFTE)Toolmark Evidence Examination and Identification?
- Yes
- No
Do you have familiarity with Digital Evidence Management Systems and Laboratory Information Management Systems?
- Yes
- No
If you are a current City of Colorado Springs employee, please enter your employee identification number. If not a City employee, please enter n/a.
12
Do you have a relative who is employed in the department where you are applying to work?
- Yes
- No
By answering yes to this question, I acknowledge that I have read and understand CSPD's Marijuana Use Policy, which can be found on CSPD's website (https://cspd.coloradosprings.gov/content/marijuana-use-0).
- Yes
- No
- Required Question
