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

Vacancy No. CO-2025-0066 Department Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
Salary $72,553.00 to $94,317.00 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/25/2024 Close Date 12/3/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tucson, AZDanbury, CTColeman, FLChicago, IL


Summary

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)

This job is open to

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

As a member of an interdisciplinary team with at least two hours per week of supervision by a licensed, doctoral level psychologist, the incumbent 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. The incumbent aids staff in formulating programs for inmates and/or staff. The incumbent conducts and/or aids in staff training and consults with staff at all levels regarding treatment, training, and research within his/her specialty area. The incumbent keeps abreast of new trends and techniques, develops and improves professional skills, and maintains contact with the academic and professional community. The incumbent 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

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. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. To learn more, visit: Students & Recent Graduates (opm.gov)

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

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 Allenwood (Allenwood, PA)

FCC Butner (Butner, NC)

MCC Chicago (Chicago, IL)

FCC Coleman (Coleman, FL)

FCI Danbury (Danbury, CT)

FMC Devens (Ayer, MA)

FMC Forth Worth (Fort Worth, TX)

FMC Rochester (Rochester, MN)

FCI Seagoville (Dallas, TX)

USMC Springfield (Springfield, MO)

FCC Terre Haute (Terre Haute, IN)

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Health and life insurance coverage for Federal employees depends on the type of appointment. Students hired under the Recent Graduates Program may be entitled to these benefits. If eligible, employees serving on temporary appointments will receive the same government contribution as full-time permanent employees. Temporary employees are not eligible for coverage under the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program.

Participants hired under the Recent Graduates Program are generally ineligible for retirement coverage.

Applicants hired under the Recent Graduates Program on appointments for 90 days or more are eligible to earn annual and sick leave. As provided in 5 U.S.C. 6303(b), employees whose appointments are limited to less than 90 days may be eligible for annual leave if they have previously served for a continuous period of 90 days under successive appointments.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

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.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  • Veterans' Preference Documentation:  Veterans MUST provide a DD-214 demonstrating that they have been discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge).
  • If you are on active duty and expect to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days, you may submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the appropriate Branch Personnel Office containing the following information: (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) and the character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and (3) any qualifying service/campaign/expeditionary medals.
  • SF-15: If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, submit a completed Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference"; all other required documentation identified on the SF-15, in addition to the veteran's DD-214 described above.  A Department of Veterans Affairs letter must contain: the Veteran’s Name and Combined Service-Connected Evaluation. For a copy of the most current SF-15, Click Here.
  • Failure to submit all required documents at the time of application will result in the loss of claimed preference eligibility.
  • Resume: showing relevant experience (cover letter optional).
  • In order to receive credit for experience contained in an application, your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date and include the number of hours worked per week.  Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.
  • College transcript: which includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). (Note:  If you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day).
  • SF-50: for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.

Failure to provide these documents could possibly result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.  If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc.  Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD214, or Transcripts.

We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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.  

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

Agency contact information

CSU
Address
JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS
Consolidated Staffing Unit
346 Marine Forces Drive
Grand Prairie, Texas 75051
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed.  Applicants will be notified via e-mail, to the e-mail address registered in USAJOBS.  The referral certificate or list of eligibles will then be issued to the selecting official for further consideration.  The Human Resource Office may then contact you for an interview if they wish.  We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.

Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an Inquiry of Availability (OF-5 Form) via e-mail, mail or a telephone inquiry from the local Human Resource Department.  Applicants MUST complete the OF-5 form and return it to the Human Resource Department or contact the Human Resource Department telephonically or via e-mail.  Applicants MUST also telephone the Human Resource Department during normal business hours to schedule an interview.  Failure to either return the form or contact the Human Resource Department will result in a loss of consideration for the position.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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