Senior Criminal Forensic Scientist (DPS #10101711)
- State of New Mexico
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Full Time
Senior Criminal Forensic Scientist (DPS #10101711)
AgencyDepartment of Public Safety
Posting End Date08/11/2025
Job Posting TypeStandard Requisition
Job ID156721
Location
Santa Fe
Full/Part TimeFull-Time
Regular/TemporaryRegular - PERM for State
Salary
$44.98 - $71.96 Hourly
$93,552 - $149,683 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C12
Posting Details
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory is an accredited forensic laboratory that provides forensic analysis to 300 law enforcement agencies and judicial partners. Scientists provide expert witness testimony throughout New Mexico in the disciplines of DNA/Biology, Firearms/Tool Marks, Latent Prints and Controlled Substance Analysis. The Forensic Laboratory Bureau encompasses three forensic laboratories: Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Hobbs. The mission is to provide unbiased scientific results to client agencies, including federal, state, local and tribal agencies on criminal cases submitted for forensic analysis.
Why does the job exist?
This position exists to provide critical forensic analysis of firearms, ammunition, and tool mark evidence to support criminal investigations and prosecutions. The forensic scientist specializing in firearms and toolmarks applies scientific methods to identify and compare ballistic evidence, determine firearm operability, and link weapons or tools to specific crimes. By delivering accurate, unbiased results and expert testimony in court, this role ensures the integrity of forensic evidence and contributes directly to the administration of justice and public safety.
How does it get done?
1. Firearms and Toolmark Analysis (50%): Examine firearms, ammunition, fired components, and toolmark
evidence to determine characteristics, operability, and potential associations using comparative microscopy
and other validated methods.
2. Casework Documentation and Testimony (20%): Prepare detailed reports of findings and provide expert
witness testimony in court regarding examinations, conclusions, and scientific methodologies.
3. Quality Assurance and Peer Review (15%): Participate in technical and administrative reviews of casework
to ensure compliance with laboratory protocols, accreditation standards, and quality assurance procedures.
4. Support Functions and Training (15%): Maintain proficiency through continuing education and contribute
to lab operations by assisting with validations, audits, safety practices, and training of personnel or law
enforcement partners.
Who are the customers?
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies in New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate
Firearm Forensic Scientists: a bachelor's degree in any discipline will be accepted, or an associate's degree plus two (2) years of additional laboratory experience or four (4) years of additional laboratory experience can substitute for a bachelor's degree.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education.
Employment Requirements
Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all
terms and conditions of Federal and State Law, rules and regulations; and is conditional pending results.
Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice
Information Systems Security Policy.
In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a current Defensive
Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico; or pass and receive the Defensive Driving Certificate.
This safety sensitive position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a forensic laboratory setting; exposure to Visual/Video Terminal (VDT) and exposure to chemicals and biological fluids; statewide travel in car and/or small aircraft will be required when needed. Work under stressful situations with strict deadlines. Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.; frequent walking, standing, sitting and bending; and exposure to noise from equipment and instruments utilized in the laboratory is required. Statewide travel will be required. This position is designated as safety sensitive, and employment will be subject to randon employment drug testing.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Kevin Streine .... Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
AgencyDepartment of Public Safety
Posting End Date08/11/2025
Job Posting TypeStandard Requisition
Job ID156721
Location
Santa Fe
Full/Part TimeFull-Time
Regular/TemporaryRegular - PERM for State
Salary
$44.98 - $71.96 Hourly
$93,552 - $149,683 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C12
Posting Details
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory is an accredited forensic laboratory that provides forensic analysis to 300 law enforcement agencies and judicial partners. Scientists provide expert witness testimony throughout New Mexico in the disciplines of DNA/Biology, Firearms/Tool Marks, Latent Prints and Controlled Substance Analysis. The Forensic Laboratory Bureau encompasses three forensic laboratories: Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Hobbs. The mission is to provide unbiased scientific results to client agencies, including federal, state, local and tribal agencies on criminal cases submitted for forensic analysis.
Why does the job exist?
This position exists to provide critical forensic analysis of firearms, ammunition, and tool mark evidence to support criminal investigations and prosecutions. The forensic scientist specializing in firearms and toolmarks applies scientific methods to identify and compare ballistic evidence, determine firearm operability, and link weapons or tools to specific crimes. By delivering accurate, unbiased results and expert testimony in court, this role ensures the integrity of forensic evidence and contributes directly to the administration of justice and public safety.
How does it get done?
1. Firearms and Toolmark Analysis (50%): Examine firearms, ammunition, fired components, and toolmark
evidence to determine characteristics, operability, and potential associations using comparative microscopy
and other validated methods.
2. Casework Documentation and Testimony (20%): Prepare detailed reports of findings and provide expert
witness testimony in court regarding examinations, conclusions, and scientific methodologies.
3. Quality Assurance and Peer Review (15%): Participate in technical and administrative reviews of casework
to ensure compliance with laboratory protocols, accreditation standards, and quality assurance procedures.
4. Support Functions and Training (15%): Maintain proficiency through continuing education and contribute
to lab operations by assisting with validations, audits, safety practices, and training of personnel or law
enforcement partners.
Who are the customers?
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies in New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate
Firearm Forensic Scientists: a bachelor's degree in any discipline will be accepted, or an associate's degree plus two (2) years of additional laboratory experience or four (4) years of additional laboratory experience can substitute for a bachelor's degree.
Minimum Qualification
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education.
Employment Requirements
Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all
terms and conditions of Federal and State Law, rules and regulations; and is conditional pending results.
Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice
Information Systems Security Policy.
In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a current Defensive
Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico; or pass and receive the Defensive Driving Certificate.
This safety sensitive position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a forensic laboratory setting; exposure to Visual/Video Terminal (VDT) and exposure to chemicals and biological fluids; statewide travel in car and/or small aircraft will be required when needed. Work under stressful situations with strict deadlines. Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.; frequent walking, standing, sitting and bending; and exposure to noise from equipment and instruments utilized in the laboratory is required. Statewide travel will be required. This position is designated as safety sensitive, and employment will be subject to randon employment drug testing.
Supplemental Information
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Kevin Streine .... Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Job ID: 488925791
Originally Posted on: 8/10/2025
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