Entry Level Forensic Ballistics Expert Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $70,680.00 - $137,301.00 Annually
Location : Anne Arundel County, MD
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 08496RR
Department: Police
Opening Date: 03/25/2026
Position Description
NOTE: The salary range listed in this announcement reflects the offer range for this position. Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations. A highly qualified candidate will be eligible for a rate of pay 50% above the minimum starting salary.
NOTE: The starting minimum salary will increase on, July 1, 2026 to: $70,681 annually.
The Anne Arundel County Police Department is committed to the pursuit of excellence. We uphold the public trust by being honest and maintaining the highest standards of ethical and moral character.
This posting will be used to fill a Fulltime, Permanent, Safety Sensitive Firearms Examiner position within the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
It is professional and technical work in the forensic examination areas of firearms, toolmark and fracture identification, serial number restoration, and gunshot residue/distance analysis for the Police Department. The position serves as a court qualified expert witness in the field of firearms and toolmark examination.
NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK
An employee in this classification works in a forensic laboratory setting and is responsible for conducting examinations using validated forensic techniques related to firearms and toolmarks, including precise and accurate microscopic comparative examinations; testing of firearms for proper function and safety; classification identification of firearms based on fired projectiles, restoration of obliterated serial numbers; and utilization of a national ballistic evidence data base.
An employee in this classification performs work under general supervision with considerable independence within established policies, regulations, and technical guidelines for firearms examinations.
The employees workplace will be located at the new Anne Arundel County Forensic Services Laboratory.
Examples of Duties and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimal qualifications and salary level for this class. They are not intended to include all of the essential functions of the class.)
Conduct forensic examinations in the areas of firearms, toolmarks, serial number restoration, gunshot residue/distance analysis, and fracture identification, to include chemical examination.
Work is performed with independence, but within the established policies and procedures set forth by the Maryland Department of Health and ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) ISO 17025 for the Firearms Examiner discipline.
Enter and analyze computer data to include the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
Conduct forensic image analysis.
Testify in court as an expert witness.
Assist other forensic units, prosecutors, and allied agencies. Perform related duties as required.
Perform related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Considerable knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, general orders, principles and practices governing firearms and tool mark examination.
Considerable knowledge of rules governing the admissibility of firearms evidence in courts.
Considerable knowledge of different firearms and ammunition.
Considerable knowledge of standard techniques utilized to classify and identify firearms.
Considerable knowledge of standard techniques utilized to conduct microscopic comparisons of firearms and toolmark related evidence.
Considerable knowledge and understanding of photographic techniques applicable to firearms, toolmark and fracture identification.
Knowledge of proper format for departmental correspondence.
Skilled in the operation laboratory equipment, especially microscopes.
Ability to handle firearms in a safe and responsible manner.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to testify in court as an expert witness.
Ability to conduct forensic examinations of firearms and to follow detailed instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain working relationships with county officials, law enforcement officials, employees, contractors, and the public.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in biological or physical science; two (2) or more years of experience in criminal justice; law enforcement or a related field. Completion of a training program providing original certification by the Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) as a firearms and toolmark examiner; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.
NOTE: The bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in biological or physical science may be substituted with a bachelor's degree with major coursework in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field.
NOTES:
This is a Safety-Sensitive position and employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing.
The selection process includes a comprehensive background investigation.
Supplemental Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants with the following:
1.) Experience providing expert witness testimony in court.
2.) Experience working a primary examiner conducting examinations of firearms, cartridge cases, bullets and related evidence in an accredited agency.
3.) Experience using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.
4.) Experience utilizing a comparison microscope in examining bullets and fired cartridge cases.

• Medical/Health Insurance Plans
  • BlueChoice Advantage EPO
  • BlueChoice Advantage PPO
• Dental Insurance
  • CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up)
  • CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE)
  • CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
• Vision Insurance
  • EyeMed
• Employee Life Insurance
  • Term insurance of up to 2 times salary ($100,000 maximum) for employees at no cost.
  • Ability to purchase Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Disability Income Insurance
• Pension Plan
  • Normal retirement after 30 years of service or Age 60 and 10 years of service or election to enroll in the Employees Retirement Savings Plan.
• Deferred Compensation Section 457 Plan
• Direct Deposit
• Credit Union
• Holidays
  • Twelve days provided per year, thirteen in general election year
• Annual Leave
  • Less than 3 years - 13 days
  • 3 to less than 15 years - 20 days
  • 15 years or more - 26 days
• Disability Leave
  • Accrual at a rate of 15 days a year
• Personal Leave Day, 5 per calendar year
• Leave Sharing
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Free, confidential counseling for employee and family members 4X per year per problem per family member; also counseling on legal and financial issues; assistance in locating childcare and elder care
• Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement
  • Health Care Reimbursement
• Voluntary Benefits
  • Provides you an opportunity to enroll in any or all of the benefits listed below with the convenience of payroll deduction
  • Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care Rider
  • United Legal Benefits

01
The supplemental questions are a very important first step in our screening process. Therefore, you are required to accurately and completely respond to each question by providing the information asked in each question. Your responses will be used to initially determine your qualifications and eligibility for this position. DO NOT INDICATE "SEE RESUME" IN RESPONSE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS.Your response and lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this position. THIS MEANS YOU WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN THIS RECRUITMENT PROCESS. Please check "yes" to show that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in biological or physical science?

• Yes
• No

03
If yes, please list your degree type and major cousework completed.
04
The bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in biological or physical science may be substituted with a bachelor's degree with major coursework in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field. Do you hold a bachelor's degree in any of these fields?

• Yes
• No

05
If yes, please list your degree type and major coursework completed.
06
Do you have two (2) or more years of experience in criminal justice, law enforcement or a related field?

• Yes
• No

07
If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.
08
Have your completed a training program and can provide original certification by the Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) as a firearms and toolmark examiner?

• Yes
• No

09
If yes, please list where you attended, completed and received certification in the Association of Firearms and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) training program.
10
Do you have experience providing expert witness testimony in court?

• Yes
• No

11
If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.
12
Do you have experience working a primary examiner conducting examinations of firearms, cartridge cases, bullets and related evidence in an accredited agency?

• Yes
• No

13
If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.
14
Do you have experience using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

• Yes
• No

15
Do you have experience utilizing a comparison microscope in examining bullets and fired cartridge cases?

• Yes
• No

16
If you answered "yes" to the question above, please explain how you possess this experience to include position title, length of time in position and MAJOR duties.
17
Did a county employee refer you? If yes, indicate their name, department and badge/id number. If you weren't referred by an Employee indicate N/A.
Required Question