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Correctional Officer (Correctional Officer Trainee)

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
Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$44,902 - $70,169 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4
Promotion potential
8
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
BOP-N-27-0007
Control number
887129900

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Duties

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Provides supervision, care and correctional treatment of inmates and guidance to lower-graded Correctional Officers. Incumbent is concerned with maintenance of institution security contributing to the health and welfare of the inmates and the promotion of good public relations.

Enforces rules and regulations governing facility security, inmate accountability and inmate conduct to ensure judicial sanctions are carried out and inmates remain in custody. From time to time, may be authorized to carry firearms and to use physical force, including deadly force, to maintain control of inmates.

During institution emergencies or other periods of heavy workload or limited staff, may be required to work long and irregular hours, unusual shifts, Sundays, holidays and unexpected overtime. Information as to operations and procedures is provided by post orders, BOP program statements, local supplements, custodial manual, internal correspondence and staff meetings. Incumbent must be flexible and have a broad knowledge base to use own initiative in the resolution of problem situations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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 [with a score of 85 or above] based on the competencies listed above; 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.

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: U.S Department of Justice - Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Key Requirements:
  1. U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  2. See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
  3. Selective Service Requirement

Qualifications

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

Education:

Successfully completed education above the high school level in any field may be substituted for general experience at the rate of 30 semester hours for one year of experience.

OR

Experience:

At least 2 years of full-time general experience, one year of which is equivalent to the GL-03 level in the Federal service.

General experience is defined as progressively responsible work that demonstrates the ability to:

  • Follow and apply rules, procedures, or regulations.
  • Use sound judgment in decision-making.
  • Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Maintain composure and take appropriate action in emergency or stressful situations.

Examples of Qualifying General Experience:
Experience does not need to be in a correctional setting, nor is it expected to be obtained through supervisory experience. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Military Service - Military service in any branch inherently develops the ability to work effectively with people of differing backgrounds, lead and instruct others, think clearly under pressure, remain calm in emergencies, and exercise sound judgment. These qualities demonstrate the aptitude for correctional work and key personal attributes qualifying as general experience. Through the discipline, responsibility, and real-world challenges of service in any branch, veterans build the foundational competencies this role requires.
  • Industrial, Mining, or Skilled Trades Work - Working as a miner, heavy equipment operator, welder, or in other occupations where strict compliance with OSHA safety procedures, rules, and regulations is required to protect personnel and maintain operational safety.
  • Security or Law Enforcement Support - Serving as a security guard, military police, or patrol officer assistant, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
  • Customer Service in High-Volume or Regulated Environments - Working in airports, transportation hubs, or large event venues where enforcing rules and resolving conflicts is required.
  • Youth or Group Supervision - Supervising youth in residential programs, summer camps, or educational settings, ensuring safety and adherence to rules.
  • Emergency Services - Serving as a firefighter, EMT, or disaster response volunteer, requiring quick decision-making under pressure.
  • Transportation or Logistics - Operating in roles where safety checks, inspections, and adherence to strict schedules and procedures are critical.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience:
Have a combination of education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

AND

Medical Requirement:

The Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons has established the following medical requirements for Correctional Officer positions: The duties of these positions involve unusual mental and nervous pressure and require arduous physical exertion involving prolonged walking and standing, restraining of prisoners in emergencies, and participating in escape hunts. Applicants must be physically capable of performing efficiently the duties of these positions and be free from such defects or disease as may constitute employment hazards to themselves or others. The duties of a Correctional Officer are arduous; and sound health as well as physical fitness is required.

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.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2027.

Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment which is part of your 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

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

AGE REQUIREMENTS:
Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age of 37 for initial 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.

Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. Refer to the Required Documents Section for the appropriate documentation to submit to validate veteran eligibility.

LENGTH OF ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible applicants will remain on the inventory until the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

NOTE: This announcement is posted on a yearly cycle. The announcement will EXPIRE on the listed closing date of 09/30/2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. In order to receive consideration for the next cycle, applicants MUST reapply to the new vacancy announcement.

SALARY RANGE:
The salary range for this announcement reflects Rest of US GL-04/01 @ $43,693 to highest GL-04/10 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA @ $70,169. See OPM's Special Rates website and search the locality area for which you are applying to for more information.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT SECTION:
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.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  1. your performance and conduct;
  2. the needs and interests of the agency;
  3. whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  4. whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials, your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Teamwork

Overstating your qualifications or experience in your application may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

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 veteran's preference you are claiming on your resume. Although veterans' preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described in this section, veterans preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.

Qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest qualified category as defined by category rating procedures.

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).

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Your USAHIRE assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13055807

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

It is the mission of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, judged by any standard, is widely and consistently regarded as a model of outstanding public administration, and as the best value provider of efficient, safe and humane correctional services and programs in America.

Agency contact information

Staffing Operations Section

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.bop.gov

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