Ballistics Advisor

Amentum is a premier global services partner supporting critical programs of national significance across defense, security, intelligence, energy, and environment. Amentum draws from a century-old heritage of operational excellence, mission focus, and successful execution underpinned by a strong culture of safety and ethics. Headquartered in Germantown, Md., Amentum employs more than 50,000 people on all seven continents.

Amentum is supporting the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in providing specialized training, advisory and mentoring services to host nations under the Criminal Division’s International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP).  https://www.justice.gov/criminal-icitap.  

ICITAP is a cornerstone of America’s global strategy for combating transnational crime, terrorism, countering trafficking in persons, establishing rule of law and enhancing human rights in developing countries.  Amentum is the contract service provider to the DOJ ICITAP and Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) programs. 

Please Note: This is an Independent Contractor position with Amentum, it should not be considered an employment relationship with Amentum.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Amentum is currently seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Forensic Ballistics Advisor in Central America (regional). This position will be responsible for providing principal subject matter expertise in forensic ballistics/firearms examinations. The advisor mentors host-country experts on training, techniques and procedures used in the collection, preservation, examination, analysis, and court production of ballistics evidence with an emphasis on ISO/IEC 17020 and/or 17025 accreditation requirements.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Advising and training host country experts on routine to complex technical examinations of firearms, ammunition, and ammunition components to determine functionality of a firearm, make and model of firearm components, and if a bullet or cartridge case was fired from a particular firearm.
• Mentors on firearm safety; proper firearm handling techniques and operability; shooting incident reconstruction; toolmark comparisons; serial number restorations; expert testimony; firearms database utilization; development of standard operating procedures; and determination of best practices in workflow efficiency.
• Train host-country experts on routine ballistics equipment such as a comparison microscope, bullet trap, scales, and other firearm testing devices for precise and accurate examinations.
• The advisor will also work with various US officials from Departments of State (DoS) and Justice (DOJ). Duties also include facilitating meetings; leading working groups; developing reports and specialized papers; reviewing and editing policies; and conducting briefings.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Minimum of 10 years of forensic science experience progressively increasing responsibilities involving complex violent criminal cases;
• Minimum of 5 years of related ballistic forensics experience in an ISO 17025 or 17020 accredited facility;
• Spanish and English fluency (reading, writing, speaking)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree in forensic science, physics, biology, molecular biology, chemistry or related fields from a US Department of Education recognized institution;
• Professional Certification through the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) or equivalent;
• Experience supervising or managing ballistics analysis activities;
• Demonstrated experience in QA/QC inspections and validation for forensic facilities;
• Continuing education demonstrated through publications, presentations, coursework, internships, or certifications; and,
• Experience training or advising foreign officials;