Duties
Functions as a Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist (DATS) within a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) federal correctional facility.
Provides direct services, individual therapy and/or group counseling, drug education, residential and/or non-residential treatment services which focuses on the rational behavioral therapy model of drug abuse treatment and criminality.
Responsible for the education of prison staff about drug abuse, drug abuse treatment and the local prison program.
Administers eligibility and psycho-social assessments as the basis for individual treatment planning.
Attends meetings with supervisors, other drug treatment DATSs, the unit team, etc., to share information, knowledge, ideas, and recommendations for the drug abuse treatment participant.
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
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is Required.
- See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
- Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: Click Here
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: Click Here
Qualifications
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience - that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences, and that provided applicants with knowledge of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a 4-year degree as shown in A above.
Evaluation of Education - Courses, such as sociology, correctional administration, criminal justice, government/political science, psychology, social work, counseling, and other related social or behavioral science courses may be used to satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement.
Evaluation of Experience - Experience must have been gained in (1) casework in a correctional institution or in another criminal justice setting; (2) counseling in any setting, provided it required diagnostic or treatment planning skills to achieve specific social or occupational goals; or (3) work treating persons in need of social rehabilitation.
AND
In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirements above, all applicants must have the following:
Education:
GL-09: Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11: Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
Graduate Education must have been in corrections or a related field, such as criminal justice, sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, or other course work related to the position.
OR
Experience:
GL-09 and GS-11: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level in federal service. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position, and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are:
GL-09:
- Experience in developing and providing multi-session presentations or lectures to groups.
- Experience in preparing reports which required analyzing data from multiple sources.
- Experience in providing group and individual substance abuse treatment services in a correctional population.
- Experience developing discharge reports and follow-up treatment for inmates who are releasing to the community.
GS-11:
- Experience performing comprehensive evaluations on substance abusers.
- Experience conducting assessments and testing instruments as needed or recommended by the Drug Abuse Treatment Coordinator.
- Experience utilizing cognitive behavioral treatment techniques.
- Experience in developing substance abuse treatment plans for offenders or individuals in a drug treatment program.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
GL-09 and GS-11: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade may be combined with experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.
AND
Selective Factors: Applicants applying for this position, MUST possess one of the following Selective Factors. In the event you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for this position.
GL-09:
- 12 semester hours of graduate course work in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work including three (3) semester hours as an intern/practicum student in a clinical treatment setting.
OR
- 12 months, full-time, professional experience in treating (i.e., developing treatment plans, conducting individual and group therapy) individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
GS-11:
- 24 semester hours of graduate course work in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work including six (6) semester hours as an intern/practicum student in a clinical treatment setting.
OR
- 24 months, full-time, professional experience in treating (i.e., developing treatment plans, conducting individual and group therapy) individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
NOTE: All applicants must clearly address this professional experience in their resume to be found qualified.
If applicable, credit will be given for paid or unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as number of hours worked per week) spent in the 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.
Benefits
Imagine a career where job security, regular advancement and law enforcement benefits, meant you might get to retire early in 20-25 years. All of this and more is available to you, when you choose a rewarding career at the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Visit: www.bop.gov to learn more about law enforcement benefits, competitive pay and generous vacation leave.
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 self-reported 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 questionnaire.
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.
In addition, 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.
Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, etc.) that includes specific timeframes (MM/YYYY) format and number of hours performing duties.
What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position?
The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required:
GL-09 and GS-11:
- Ability to conduct group and individual counseling.
- Knowledge of psychological problems associated with drug addiction.
- Ability to communicate in writing.
- Ability to communicate orally.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
How to Apply
How do I Apply for this Position if I am a Current Public Health Service Commissioned Officer?
- Submit a complete/detailed resume or curriculum vitae.
- Address selective factor, if required.
- Resume or curriculum vitae must contain all information listed in the Qualifications Section.
- Submit supporting documents (i.e. transcripts, certification, registration, and/or license, if applicable).
Your completed application packet must be submitted to the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. You must include the last four digits of your social security number and the vacancy announcement number on your application packet. DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ON-LINE.
How do I Apply for this Position if I am a Current Public Health Service Commissioned Officer and want to enter the competitive service?
Refer to the information below.
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.
NOTE: Submission of a resume alone is not a complete application. 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.
Claiming Veterans Preference? If yes, you MUST claim preference on-line during the application process and upload documentation to support preference claimed. Failure to claim Veterans Preference or provide supporting documentation may result in you not receiving appropriate consideration during the assessment process.
Required supporting documentation must be electronically uploaded or transferred from USAJOBS (uploaded).
All required supporting documentation MUST be received by the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Supporting documentation for announcements with an application limitation MUST be uploaded the same day you apply, as these positions may close earlier than stated in the announcement.
Paper applications: If applying online is impossible, please contact the Consolidated Staffing Unit at the telephone number listed below, prior to the closing date of the announcement for the alternate application procedure.
Contact for Assistance in Applying On-Line:
DOJ, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Consolidated Staffing Unit
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, TX 75051
E-Mail: BOP-HRM-HRSC-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-S@bop.gov
Phone: 972-352-4200
Next steps
Tips For Success:
- Ensure you have or are working towards healthy credit; BOP completes credit checks for all eligible candidates
- Ensure your resume is up to date with all relevant experience – Include starting date and ending date and number of hours worked per week.
- Ensure all documentation (transcripts, License, DD-214, etc.) is uploaded at the time you apply.
- Check your application status and email account periodically – notifications will be sent to your email. Ensure you check your junk and spam email folders as some systems may re-direct BOP emails from your inbox.
BOP is committed to providing a candidate experience where applicants are aware of next steps and know what to expect. In most cases, you can expect the following steps in the recruitment process:
- Application Received
- Applicant Receives Notice of Results
- Applicant can track their individual recruitment process by logging on to your USAJOBS account and select "Track this application“.
- Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an email sent to the e-mail address registered in their USAJOBS account with instructions to complete the Inquiry of Availability form (OF-5). IF you receive the instructional email, you MUST read and follow the instructions in order to complete the inquiry process online. You must click submit to electronically return the form to the Human Resource Department. In addition, applicants who are interested in scheduling an interview, MUST telephone the Human Resource Department. Failure to either return the form or contact the Human Resource Department may result in not receiving consideration for the position.
- Applicant will complete the Core Value Assessment (CVA).
- Interviews will be conducted.
- Applicant will complete a Pre-Employment Questionnaire.
- Applicant will receive Conditional Offer of Employment – Contingent on the outcome of a physical, U/A, and a background investigation.
- Applicant receives Final Offer.
Applicants may contact the geographic location(s) selected to inquire about current or anticipated vacancies. Contact numbers for location preference choices can be found at www.bop.gov
The Bureau of Prisons cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, applicant application errors, etc.