Correctional Program Officer (Unit Manager)
Job details at a glance
| Agency | Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Justice |
| Location | Jonesville, Virginia |
| Salary | $89,508–$116,362 per year |
| Grade | GS 12 |
| Schedule | Full-time |
| Occupation series | Correctional Institution Administration (0006) |
| Openings | 1 |
| Hiring paths | Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Internal to an agency |
| Posted | Nov 10, 2026 |
| Application deadline | Nov 18, 2026 |
| Telework eligible | No |
| Remote job | No |
| Security clearance | Other |
| Relocation expenses reimbursed | No |
| Promotion potential | 12 |
About this job
Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Duties
The Unit Manager performs a major role in the planning, development, administration and evaluation of a unit program for incarcerated federal offenders. Must have broad understanding of the field of criminology and corrections, must display management skills in the administration of a treatment program, and must have a comprehensive knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior. Directs and manages a housing unit within a federal correctional institution and is responsible for the total administration of the unit as well as the planning, development and implementation of individual programs tailored to meet the particular needs of inmates in the unit. 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.
Qualifications
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements: Education: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position. OR Experience: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is directly related experience that included substantial involvement with a correctional program and provided a thorough knowledge of correctional techniques, or experience in meeting and dealing with people that demonstrated the ability to work effectively with inmates and associates in a correctional environment. Experience must have also demonstrated the ability to perform supervisory or administrative duties successfully. This includes (1) understanding the problems of custody, treatment, training, and release of inmates of penal or correctional institutions; (2) a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of an institution's internal policies, programs, regulations, and procedures; and (3) training subordinates, coordinating and directing activities and functions, evaluating performance of operations and the effectiveness of programs, and maintaining high standards or work objectives. This experience must have been gained in an administrative position, or in other positions that included the successful direction, or assistance in the direction of, an entire correctional program or a major phase of such a program. Some examples of this qualifying experience are: Experience in planning, developing and implementation of programs and operations specifically designed to meet the various needs of an inmate population within a correctional environment. Experience in completing and ensuring quality control of inmate related issues such as progress reports, transfer recommendations, Victim/Witness notifications, Central Inmate Monitoring packets, and various correspondence with probation officers, attorneys, judges and other law enforcement officials. Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating the operations within a housing unit, such as security procedures, safety and sanitation procedures, recreational programming, and assignment of living quarters, security and custody level. Experience and knowledge of case management, treatment theories and techniques, recreational and vocational programs related to the management of an inmate population within a correctional environment. **Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**
Requirements
Career Transition Programs (CTAP): This program applies 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: Meet CTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP 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: U.S. Citizenship is Required. See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
Evaluations
You will be evaluated based on your assessment score and the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation. Applicants who receive a score of 85 or higher will be reviewed first, and reviews will continue until 10 qualified applicants have been identified. Applicants who receive a score of 75 or below will not be reviewed. Your resume and supporting documents will be compared against your responses to the online assessment to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed in this announcement. If the information in your application materials does not support your assessment responses, your score may be adjusted and/or you may be removed from consideration. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. There are several parts of the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application: Your resume, which is part of your USAJOBS profile; Your responses to the eligibility questions; Your responses to the online assessment; Your supporting documentation, if required. Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements for consideration. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Due Weight for Performance and Awards: Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. Please submit: a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation; and a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level. What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position? The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required: Administration and Management Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence Oral Communication Writing
How to apply
You must apply through the online application system at www.USAJOBS.gov. Follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions and submit all required documents. This position may require the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described under the Required Documents section. Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the "How to Apply" instructions. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment. USAJOBS Help Center - How to Add a Resume to Your Profile All required supporting documentation MUST be received by the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on 11/18/2026. If applicable see Notice for Preference Eligible Veterans Applicants Reasonable Accommodation: To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator (NRAC) at BOP-HRM-NRAC@bop.gov for assistance. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13113194
Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.
Apply on USAJobs (official) ↗Required documents
Failure to provide legible required documents and/or follow the prescribed format often results in removal from consideration. If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc. Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD-214, or Transcripts. Resume (limited to 2 pages) must include your name, contact information, and relevant experience (cover letter optional). Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence of qualifying experience (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, MOU, etc.). If providing a memorandum, it must follow the format below AND clearly cite the duties performed. To receive credit for experience, your resume and/or any satisfactory evidence must include: Start date and end date in month/year format (MM/YYYY) AND Number of hours worked per week. SF-50: If you are a current/former federal government employee, you must provide an unredacted copy of your latest SF-50. Proof of CTAP eligibility, Click Here, if applicable. College transcript: includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree, and Date Awarded (if applicable). NOTE: If you are selected, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day. A copy of your latest yearly performance appraisal/evaluation. Professional Certification/License For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.
What to expect next
We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed. Normally, Selecting Officials will make a selection within 80-days. When deemed necessary, the selection process may be extended up to 180-days from the date the certificate(s), (Exception, Best Qualified Lists) is/are generated to make a selection.
Other information
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFORMATION: This announcement is for a specific duty location. While your selection of a preferred duty assignment indicates your interest, final duty assignments depend on the Bureau's staffing needs, available positions, and funding. By applying, you acknowledge that you may be offered employment at a duty station within an approved Bureau of Prisons worksite other than the listed location, if required to support the Bureau's nationwide mission. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution. The representative rate for this position is $98,459 per year ($47.18 per hour) Special Conditions of Employment Section: This position IS NOT included in the bargaining unit. 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 urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks. 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. The addresses listed on the USAJOBS account/resume must be the primary residence at the time of application. You may be required to provide proof of residence. Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate. Although competitive and non-competitive applications are being accepted, the selecting official may elect to have only one group reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does this Correctional Program Officer (Unit Manager) job pay?
The announcement lists a salary of $89,508–$116,362 per year (GS 12).
When is the last day to apply?
Applications close on Nov 18, 2026 — 7 days from today.
Where is this job located?
This position is located in Jonesville, Virginia with the Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.
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