Forensic Specialist

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

*** ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ***

All job applications must therefore be submitted through the jobs.gc.ca site.
To submit an application online, please select the button "Apply Online" below.

Persons who cannot apply online or persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online are asked to inform the contact persons responsible for this process and to contact 1-800-645-5605 prior to the closing date.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in the screening questionnaire how they meet the education and experience criteria listed in the Essential Qualifications and Asset Qualifications if applicable. Please note that stating that the requirement has been met, and/or listing past or current responsibilities, does not represent adequate substantiation. Rather, you must provide concrete examples that clearly illustrate how you meet the requirement. Résumés may be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described; comments such as "refer to my attached résumé" will not be accepted and may result in your application being rejected.

Duties

Selects evidence submitted by police, legal counselors and other sources; gathers the most appropriate specimens for examination or analysis to derive the greatest possible information for the requesting party or parties; and selects, modifies or develops techniques pertaining to a comprehensive discipline(s) to yield the optimum analytical information and applies them to the exhibit material received taking into consideration sample size, time constraints and priorities.

Provides expert witness testimony and opinion evidence in courts of law; and explains and defends conclusions.

Interprets analytical results based on scientific principles, formulates expert conclusions stating the forensic significance of the results, confers with the contributing agencies and the requestor (e.g.: police or counselor) regarding the significance of the conclusions to an investigation or criminal charge and prepares written reports.

Identifies and analyzes material of probative value; and determines the physical evidence analysis requirements and the proper sequence of examination.

Trains internal and external clients; and develops and delivers lesson plans and other training tools.

Carries out quality control activities as specified for the forensic analyses conducted; and prioritizes the undertaking of cases by considering the seriousness of the circumstances, commitments etc.

Conducts research and development projects related, for example, to forensic science to expand forensic investigative techniques; keeps current with the advances in one or more forensic science specialties through scientific literature, conferences and seminars.

Assists and provides expert advice to police personnel regarding the gathering of the most probative specimens for examination or analysis so that the process will derive the greatest forensic value possible.

Work environment

The work requires responding to the scientific information technology needs and providing advice, information, guidance and analysis often within short time frames.

The work requires the handling of conflicting priorities, immediate processing of evidentiary material from major investigations requiring prompt forensic analysis which can lead to stress.

As part of the criminal investigation process, there is a lack of control over the pace of work and there is no tolerance for error which can lead to stress.

The work involves a constant need to balance priority demands with frequent interruptions. These conditions which are present on a daily basis can result in mild to moderate levels of stress.

There is often the need to remain composed, organized and focused when reconciling a number of priorities sometimes on a very abbreviated schedule and often with deadlines that are set outside the influence of the laboratory.

Psychological and emotional effort is required to remain composed and professional when providing expert witness testimony. This requires tendering and defending professional qualifications, results and opinions in the adversarial environment of the criminal court system. Articulation of technical activities, results and opinions must be unbiased, clear, succinct and appropriately weighted to assist the trier of fact. These conditions can result in moderate to high levels of stress. There is little or no control over the duration and/or frequency of occurrences.

The work involves exposure to disagreeable or unpleasant crime scene environments and unpleasant materials such as graphic descriptions of major case investigations and crime scene photos. Attendance at crime scenes may include exposure to chemical and biological materials and may present additional adverse physical and environmental conditions that may require protective clothing and/or equipment.

Travelling can require the carrying of laptops and projectors, boxes of documentation which can lead to pain from lifting, result in long periods of uncomfortable inactivity as well as limited opportunities for movement when going to attend conferences, workshops and meetings or to deliver training sessions.

The work is performed in an environment with intermittent distractions such as office noise and interruptions from telephone and visitors.

The work involves daily exposure to glare from the computer screen and the requirement to sit for extended periods of time, which may pose risk of eye and back strain and/or fatigue as well as the potential for stressful situations when facing short deadlines.

Repeated use of finger and wrist muscles to enter data using a keyboard for several hours a day can cause muscular strain; and standing for prolonged periods of time while making presentations can lead to discomfort.

There is exposure in the laboratory to solvents, chemicals and to biological materials such as blood and flesh samples which can lead to exposure to HIV; and there is occasional requirement to wear protective clothing or equipment.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one position on an indeterminate basis, with a linguistic profile of English essential and an RCMP Enhanced Reliability security clearance

A pool of candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions within the RCMP in Surrey, BC and in the National Capital Region on an indeterminate or specified period (including term, acting, or assignment) basis, with various linguistic profiles and various RCMP security clearances.

Should a Civilian Member (CM) be found qualified and selected for appointment, the appointment will not result in a change of status to the Public Service (PS) category for the CM.
(SEE OTHER INFORMATION)

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 3 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Successful completion of the Firearms Program understudy for Firearms Forensic Specialist.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Significant* experience in the completion of Firearms & Toolmark Identification casework service delivery as a qualified Forensic Firearms Examiner in the examination areas of: the mechanical assessment and legal classification of firearms, ammunition and firearms accessories; serial number restoration; firearms identification; impact damage assessment and range determination analysis.

*Significant experience is defined as experience acquired through full-time performance of the duties over a period of five years or more.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge and familiarization with how firearms generate toolmarks on bullets and cartridge cases; and the AFTE Theory of Identification as it relates to toolmarks.
Knowledge of documentation of forensic analyses.

Abilities/Skills:
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to problem solve
Ability to work in a team
Ability to adapt to a changing environment

Personal Suitability:
Focus on results
Self-sufficiency
Integrity
Respect
Judgement

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Willingness and ability to travel for work related assignments.
Willingness and ability to testify in a court of law anywhere in Canada.
Willingness and ability to work overtime.
Willingness and ability to work in a police environment, including exposure to unsettling and/or graphic material and attending crime scenes.
Willingness and ability to handle firearms, as required, throughout their time in the position.

Candidates will be asked to indicate their willingness to accept this condition prior to an offer of employment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - All applicants for positions within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be subject to a thorough security clearance process which includes an interview wherein questions may include (but not limited to), reference checks, previous employment, on-line activities, credit checks, alcohol and/or drug use.

• Obtain and maintain a valid medical clearance
• Obtain and maintain a valid security clearance
• Work with and be exposed to hazardous chemicals and equipment.
• Work with and be exposed to biological samples
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment.
• Maintain standing and/or sitting positions for extended periods of time.
• Move and/or lift items (up to 20kg)
• Adhere to laboratory safety standards and procedures.
NOTE: Candidates must meet the applicable Conditions of Employments at the time of appointment and must continue to meet these during the period of appointment.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

A written exam may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

A simulation/situational exercise or role play may be administered.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

You must provide proof of education credentials. If you obtained your degree outside Canada, it is your responsibility to demonstrate its equivalence, please take a look at the following link for more information: http://www.cicic.ca/383/foreign-credential-recognition.canada.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Please identify clearly your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

If a qualified candidate has been selected and appointed on an indeterminate basis from the established pool, they will be removed from the pool. If a candidate is selected for a specified period (including term, acting, or assignment/secondment) appointment, they will remain in the pool for future offers.

Our means of communication with applicants is via e-mail. Please ensure to include a functional e-mail address, which will accept messages from unknown users (some e-mail systems block these types of e-mails). It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.