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Clinical Psychologist (Forensics Unit Psychologist - Supervisory)

Department of Justice
Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 06/10/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 10, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$101,375 - $156,715 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required for work related issues.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
NER-2026-0251
Control number
870766000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

• THIS IS A DELEGATED EXAMINING ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS. • Duty Location: FMC Devens, MA • NOTE: A 50% RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE WILL BE PAID TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT BONUS.

Duties

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Evaluates and/or supervises the evaluation of inmates to assess competency to stand trial and/or the offender’s responsibility for his behavior at the time of the offense.

Assists in interdisciplinary classification of inmates by identifying behavioral, emotional, personality disorders, organic mental disorders, alcohol or drug dependencies and/or self-destructive potential and the subsequent development of suitable suggested programs for the individual inmate.

Plans and performs both individual and group psychotherapy on a regularly scheduled basis.

Assists in developing mental health programs and in training institution staff on how to recognize and deal with emotional, behavioral, and/or personality disorders.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff's correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section
  • Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

  • 1. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
  • 2. Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
  • 3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility:
    • A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter),
    • Most recent performance appraisal, and
    • Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
    • See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.

NOTE: Applicants claiming CTAP or ICTAP eligibility must complete all assessment questions to be rated under the established ranking criteria.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following:

Basic Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of all the requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology is required.

NOTE: Applicants may have received this degree in either clinical or counseling psychology.

AND

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, applicants must have the following:

Education:

GS-12 and GS-13: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Experience:

GS-12 and GS-13: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

Some examples of the qualifying experience are:

GS-12:

  • Experience which demonstrates the ability to administer, score, and interpret a wide variety of psycho-diagnostic assessment instruments, i.e., projective instruments of personality assessment, intellectual tests, screening tests for evidence of organic brain damage, and tests or inventories of interests, aptitude and achievement.
  • Experience in performing individual and group psychotherapy.
  • Experience assisting with formulating appropriate treatment programs and recommending accommodations or program transfers when appropriate.
  • Experience in providing the full range of professional psychological services to inmates.

GS-13:

  • Experience in the administration and interpretation of objective and projective assessment instruments including intellectual, personality, and neuropsychological assessment techniques.
  • Experience in evaluating and/or supervising the evaluation of inmates to assess competency to stand trial and/or the offender's responsibility for his behavior at the time of the offense.
  • Experience in formulating treatment program decisions, referring medical problems to the Medical Officer, and assisting in decisions to transfer inmates to a more appropriate or specialized facility.
  • Experience in appraising the attitudes, personality dynamics and overall level of adjustment of inmates resulting from participation in current institutional programs and/or from the implementation of new, demonstration and innovative projects.

AND

Selective Placement Factor:

GS-12 and GS-13: Applicants applying for this position MUST also possess the following Selective Factor. In the event you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for the position.

  • Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.

NOTE: All applicants must electronically upload a copy of their license at the time they apply to the vacancy announcement. The documentation provided MUST show the expiration date of the license. Failure to provide this documentation will result in loss of consideration for this position.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**

Education

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

Additional information

Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution, applicants can be considered up to age 39.  If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you MUST submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage.

Special Conditions of Employment Section:

Initial appointment to a supervisory/managerial position requires a one-year probationary period.

The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation to meet the needs of the agency.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.

All applicants are subject to, and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check.

All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.

Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques", three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required. 

Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.

NOTE: A 50% RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE WILL BE PAID TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT BONUS. 

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Based upon your responses to the assessment questions during the application process, your application will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Applications will be reviewed from the top quality category. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are found qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to the responses you provided on the online assessment.

NOTE: Candidates within the top quality category and who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans preference you are claiming on your resume. Although veterans preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under "How You Will Be Evaluated", veterans preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.

Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). As noted above, an agency may not select a non-preference eligible in lieu of a preference eligible in the same category unless there are grounds for a passover and the agency has complied with the passover procedures at 5 U.S.C. § 3318(b).

What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position?

The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required:

GS-12 and GS-13:

  • Ability to conduct psychological assessments.
  • Ability to recommend treatment interventions for various disorders.
  • Skill in conducting individual and group psychotherapy.
  • Ability to make sound decisions and act quickly in critical circumstances.
  • Ability to formulate opinions and communicate both verbally and in writing regarding legal questions of competency, responsibility, and dangerousness.
  • Ability to supervise and develop potential of subordinates.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Agency contact information

CSU
Phone
972-352-4200
Email
BOP-HRM-HRSC-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-S@bop.gov
Address
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
Consolidated Staffing Unit
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, Texas 75051
United States

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http://www.bop.gov

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