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Senior Deputy Assistant Director for Workforce Development and Organizational Learning

Department of Justice
Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Summary

This position is in the Senior Executive Service (SES). Veteran's preference does not apply to the SES.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted this week · Apply by 06/26/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 26, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Reimbursement is authorized for relocation travel and transportation expenses for this position.
Salary
$151,661 - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES ES
Promotion potential
ES - 00
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel is required for meetings and training.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Senior Executive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
SES-2026-0033
Control number
872739600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from qualified, current federal civil services employees. Also eligible are (1) a current/former career SES appointees, (2) alumnus of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program, or (3) current GS-14 or 15 federal employees who can demonstrate the mandatory technical qualifications for the position.

Duties

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The Senior Deputy Assistant Director (SDAD) for Workforce Development and Operational Learning in the Human Resource Management Division serves as the Bureau’s senior executive responsible for the governance, integration, and strategic direction of all national workforce development, training, leadership development, employee development, and employee wellness and psychological health systems. The position provides enterprise-level leadership over the full continuum of workforce learning, development, and resilience for a nationwide correctional workforce operating across approximately 120 federal correctional facilities, six (6) regional offices, two (2) staff training centers, nationwide residential reentry sites, a major office complex in Grand Prairie, TX, and the Central Office in Washington, DC. The incumbent ensures all workforce development and organizational learning functions operate as a unified enterprise that supports institutional readiness, organizational resilience, and long-term workforce sustainability.

The incumbent leads the Bureau’s national training and development governance structure by establishing Bureau-wide training policy, directing the Workforce Development and Operational Learning Strategy, and ensuring alignment with federal personnel and training requirements, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Department of Justice (DOJ or Department) expectations, national training standards, and government-wide workforce development and wellness priorities.

The incumbent determines national standards for instructional systems, curriculum governance, leadership development frameworks, employee development programs, wellness and psychological health initiatives, national instructor certification, and enterprise training modernization. Ensures all policies are legally defensible, aligned with federal personnel and training requirements, and consistently implemented across all institutions and regions. 

The incumbent provides executive oversight of national training centers, national instructor cadre governance, the learning management system (LMS), blended learning and e-learning initiatives, and national training compliance and reporting systems. Sets enterprise performance expectations, ensures training reliability and quality, and directs modernization of training systems and instructional technologies. The incumbent leads the Bureau’s national training, leadership development, employee development, wellness, and organizational learning functions. 

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.
  • You will be required to travel occasionally for training and operational purposes.
  • You must be a United States citizen.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result before you can be appointed into this position.
  • After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume-NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be considered. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. A panel may assess whether you possess the required ECQs and MTQs through resume review, assessment, and/or interview.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the mandatory technical qualification listed below.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

To be qualified for this position, applicants must demonstrate executive-level experience leading and governing enterprise-wide workforce development, organizational learning, training, leadership development, or employee development programs for a large organization. Experience must include establishing and implementing national-level policies, programs, or initiatives; directing strategic modernization and organizational transformation efforts; integrating multiple program areas; and advising senior leadership on workforce readiness, organizational resilience, institutional effectiveness, and long-term workforce sustainability. Applicants must also demonstrate experience ensuring compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations and applying training evaluation methodologies, measures and assessment strategies to evaluate, validate, and improve the effectiveness and impact of training, leadership development, and employee development programs. 

Education

This position does not have an education requirement. 

Additional information

You must submit all required information by the closing date. If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available, and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. The materials you send with your application will not be returned. Upon appointment, you are required to complete a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278. You must provide the information annually after appointment. Veteran's Preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.

The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) of the selectee who is not a current or former career SES employee (Title 5) must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before appointment.  In addition, individuals entering the SES for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period.  Applicants who have completed the Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. 

Candidates must still satisfy the MTQ of the position, but do not need to address the ECQs if you:

1. Are currently serving under a career SES appointment;

2. Are eligible for reinstatement into the SES; or

3. Have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and been certified by Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Proof of Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification must be provided. 

The selected individual will be subject to further evaluation through a Structured Interview by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB). OPM must review the executive qualifications of each new career appointee to the Senior Executive Service (SES) prior to appointment. 

Current Federal Law Enforcement Employees: 
A prerequisite of the secondary law enforcement position is the completion of the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II". If you have not completed the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase 11", you are ineligible for secondary law enforcement position(s) and coverage but may still be considered for a non-law enforcement position. 

If you are not a current Bureau of Prisons employee, you must submit training records demonstrating you have completed the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II" to your hiring Human Resource office prior to appointment. 

Individuals selected who are under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and who have not had three years "primary" law enforcement retirement coverage, will not be covered by law enforcement retirement while in this position. To regain coverage, individuals must return to a position with "primary" coverage. 

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.

Applicants will be evaluated based upon how they have addressed the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) within the resume. The ECQs describe the skills needed to succeed in the Senior Executive Service, and are in addition to the specific MTQ listed above. To assess the executive experience of each candidate, applicants applying for their initial career appointment in the SES must demonstrate, with specific examples, how their experience is relevant to the five ECQS.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY: Demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE: Demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals; To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.

ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to state goals from superiors.

Additional information on the Executive Core Qualifications can be found at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp. Please refer to OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Service Qualifications for more detailed information.


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Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Why is it Great to Work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons? Do your Career Justice and consider a career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). In addition to being regarded as a family and career-oriented agency, the BOP offers a broad range of exciting career opportunities in a work environment that promotes integrity, diversity, and professional development. With over 38,000 highly motivated individuals, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is one of the most unique agencies in the United States Department of Justice where each employee's day-to-day performance makes a difference. 

Agency contact information

Senior Executive Service
Phone
202-307-0495
Email
BOP-HRM-SES-S@bop.gov
Address
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
320 First Street, N.W. 7th floor
Washington, District of Columbia 20534
United States

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