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DOJ Pathways Recent Graduate Program - Bureau of Prisons (Psychology Postdoctoral Trainee)

Department of Justice
Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
This job announcement has closed

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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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
11/25/2025 to 12/03/2025
Salary
$73,939 to - $96,116 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Locations
Tucson, AZ
1 vacancy
Danbury, CT
1 vacancy
Coleman, FL
1 vacancy
Terre Haute, IN
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Recent graduates - TEMPORARY - NTE 1 YEAR
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CO-2026-0023
Control number
850918600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

• OPEN TO RECENT GRADUATES WHO HAVE COMPLETED, WITHIN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS, A QUALIFYING DOCTORAL DEGREE FROM A QUALIFYING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. • NOTE: This is a temporary appointment to complete work that is temporary in nature. • Duty Locations: See "Other Information" • SALARY RANGE: Salary ranges are based on the Rest of the U.S. (RUS) but could change depending on the location of the position.

Duties

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As a member of an interdisciplinary team with at least two hours per week of supervision by a licensed, doctoral level psychologist, provides professional psychological services within his/her specialty area.

Specific services might include, but are not limited to: diagnostics or assessments, therapy or treatment, research or program evaluation, and in-service training.

Aids staff in formulating programs for inmates and/or staff.

Conducts and/or aids in staff training and consults with staff at all levels regarding treatment, training, and research within his/her specialty area.

Keeps abreast of new trends and techniques, develops and improves professional skills, and maintains contact with the academic and professional community.

Assists in administrative functions of the department as they relate to his/her specialty area.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff 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 is Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
  • Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov

RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM OVERVIEW: The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs.  To learn more, visit: Students & Recent Graduates (opm.gov)

Qualifications

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

Basic Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of all the requirements for the 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.

INTERNS: Applicants currently enrolled in a Clinical Psychology Internship, may apply to this vacancy announcement within 9 months of completion. These applicants must provide a letter, signed by the Internship Program Coordinator, as proof of anticipated completion of the program within the next 9 months.

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS: Applicants currently enrolled in a PH.D. or equivalent program must be within 9 months of completing the required program. Applicants MUST submit a copy of their unofficial transcript documenting current enrollment in a Ph.D. program, AND upload an official letter from the Registrar office or Dean validating current enrollment and your program projected completion date.

Failure to submit any of these required documents may result in loss of consideration for this position. Additionally, if selected, applicants must also provide an official transcript documenting completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent degree to the institution's Human Resource Office prior to entry on duty.

**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 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.

MOBILITY STATEMENT: A mobility statement is required for this position. You must agree to relocate anywhere at the convenience of the Bureau of Prisons upon completion of your training.

SALARY RANGE: Salaries listed are for the Rest of the U.S. (RUS) salary area. See current pay tables for the locality area for which you are applying at Salaries & Wages (opm.gov)

Duty Locations: 

FCC Butner (Butner, NC)

FMC Rochester (Rochester, MN)

USMCFP Springfield (Springfield, MO)

FCC Terre Haute (Terre Haute, IN)

FCC Allenwood (Allenwood, PA)

FCI Danbury (Danbury, CT)

FMC Devens (Devens, MA)

FMC Fort Worth (Fort Worth, TX

FCI Seagoville, (Seagoville, TX)

FCC Coleman (Coleman, FL)

FCC Tucson (Tucson, AZ)

Special Conditions of Employment Section:

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.

The Core Value Assessment (CVA) is an in-person assessment that must be facilitated at a Bureau of Prisons Human Resource Servicing office. On the day of the scheduled interview, a CVA will be administered. The applicant assessment must be completed within a 70-minute time period and a passing score of 68 must be obtained. Further employment consideration will not be extended if the applicant fails to complete the examination or fails to achieve a passing score. Note: The Core Value Assessment will not be administered to current BOP employees.

Conversion to the Competitive Service: Participants may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of the program. 

To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must have: (1) Successfully completed at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program, (2) Demonstrated successful job performance, (3) met the qualifications for the position that the Recent Graduate will be converted. 

Conditions of Employment: Upon conversion into a permanent position, the participant must attend and successfully complete the Introduction to Correctional Techniques, a 3-week training course in Glynco, GA.

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

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:

  • 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.

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