Salary : $79,058.00 - $122,536.00 Annually
Location : 602 E. Main Street, Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Job Number: 26-06114
Department: Police
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Position DescriptionThis position is located within the Durham Police Department Forensic Services Division in Durham, North Carolina, and is assigned to the Firearms Unit.
The Firearms Unit provides forensic examination services in support of criminal investigations conducted by the City of Durham. Services include firearm examination and comparison, toolmark examination and comparison, serial number restoration, firearm functionality testing, evidence handling, and expert witness testimony.
The primary purpose of this position is to supervise and manage the Firearms Unit while providing technical leadership and performing firearms-related forensic casework. Responsibilities include overseeing unit operations and personnel; conducting forensic examinations; evaluating and documenting findings; preparing written reports; and providing expert testimony in court. As the Firearms Unit Technical Leader, the position also provides technical oversight to ensure examinations are performed in accordance with established procedures and applicable quality requirements.
The Durham Police Department Forensic Services Division is accredited by ANAB under ISO/IEC 17020.
Duties/Responsibilities - Supervises staff including planning, assigning, and evaluating work; performs quality assurance duties; trains staff; develops operating policies and procedures; recommends and implements process improvements; and ensures service coverage and compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Coordinates the preparation of and/or prepares, maintains, and/or reviews reports, records, and other documents; researches and analyzes data; formulates findings and makes recommendations; reviews work and the work of others for accuracy, completeness and compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Prepares and manages assigned budgets including monitoring expenditures, preparing cost estimates, analyzing financial and related data, identifying resource needs, and making budget recommendations.
- Coordinates with law enforcement and/or external agencies to provide professional assistance; and responds to inquiries in accordance with law enforcement protocols, rules and regulations.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience - Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social sciences or directly related field.
- Five years of experience related to assignment.
- Valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license "or" if you currently have another states driver's license, must be willing and able to obtain a valid NC driver's license within 60 days of hire.
Additional Preferred Skills - 1-2 years of supervisory experience.
- Experience working in a police department, forensic, or laboratory setting.
- Firearm-specific training.
- Experience working in an ISO/IEC 17020 or ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab.
- Certified in Firearm Evidence Examination and Identification through the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE).
- Leadership training.
- Willing and able to submit to a comprehensive background investigation, credit check, submission of fingerprints, drug screening and polygraph.
- If not in the state of NC, willing and able to travel to the state of NC multiple times at own expense after the initial telephone interview to complete the remaining interview process and lab's background investigation.
Benefits - General Full-Time Employees - 12-13 paid holidays per year
- 13 standard work days of vacation per year
- 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
- 2 weeks paid military leave per year
- Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
- State and City retirement plans
- Short and long term disability plans
- Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
- City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
- Paid funeral leave
- Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
- Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
- 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
- 4 hours parental leave each year
- Workman's Compensation Insurance
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
- Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service
01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
- City of Durham Website
- Walk in
- Job fair
- Employee referral
- Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
- Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
- Craig's List
- Facebook
- LinkedIn
- GlassDoor
- governmentjobs.com
- Monster.com
- Indeed.com
- Employment Security Commission
- Magazine/Newspaper
- Other
02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.
- Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
- High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
- Associates Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)
04
Is your degree major in forensic science, chemistry, biology, physical science (physics), criminal justice or closely related curriculum?
- Yes
- No
- I do not have a degree
05
How many years of related experience do you have?
- No related experience
- Less than 1 year of related experience
- 1 year but less than 2 years of related experience
- 2 years but less than 5 years of related experience
- 5 or more years of related experience
06
How many years of supervisory experience do you have?
- No related experience
- Less than 1 year of related experience
- 1 year but less than 3 years
- 3 years but less than 5 years
- 5 years but less than 10 years
- 10 or more years
07
Do you have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license? (If you have a valid license from a State other than North Carolina, you must be willing and able to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days of hire).
- I have a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license.
- I have a valid license from another State and I am willing to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days.
- I do not have a valid, unrestricted driver's license.
08
Have you completed any firearm-specific training?
09
Do you currently hold any forensic certifications? Check all that apply:
10
If you selected "Other" to the previous question, please provide the name of the certification.
11
Are you trained in NIBIN? Check all that apply:
- Acquisition trained
- Matchpoint trained
- None
12
How many times have you testified in court as an expert witness or a police/laboratory employee?
- No courtroom testimony
- 1-5 times
- 6-10 times
13
Are you willing and able to submit to a comprehensive background investigation, credit check, submission of fingerprints, drug screening and polygraph?
14
Out of state applicants: The interview process and lab's background investigation process may require you to return to the State of North Carolina multiple times at your own expense after the initial phone interview. Do you understand this statement?
15
I certify that all responses provided in this application are true and complete and I understand any intentional misstatement or omission of information may remove me from consideration for employment. I further understand that all responses will be verified during the background investigation. Do you understand this statement?
Required Question
