Supervisory Correctional Officer (Lieutenant GS-09/11) Job

Vacancy No. HR-N-27-0002 Department Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
Salary $65,545.00 to $124,730.00 Grade 9 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/1/2026 Close Date 9/30/2027
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Forrest City, ARTucson, AZAtwater, CALompoc, CA
Los Angeles, CASan Diego, CAVictorville, CAFlorence, CO
Coleman, FLMiami-Dade County, FLHonolulu, HIChicago, IL
Terre Haute, INInez, KYPine Knot, KYOakdale, LA
Pollock, LAYazoo City, MSButner Federal Correctional Complex, NCKings, NY
Gregg Township, PAPhiladelphia, PAWaymart, PAGuaynabo, PR
Beaumont, TXHouston, TXJonesville, VAPrince George, VA
Seatac, WABruceton Mills, WV


Supervisory Correctional Officer (Lieutenant GS-09/11)

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.

Duties

Occupies a supervisory position involving the direction of a shift, consisting of correctional officers assigned to various posts and/or programs.

Responsible for carrying out the directions of the Captain relative to planning, directing and administering inmate programs, activities, work, recreational pursuits and directing and managing staff and inmates during a crisis situation.

Serves as a direct liaison between the Captain and the correctional officers, and is responsible for the conduct, morale, performance and training of the correctional officer complement.

Responsible for security of the special housing unit and the safe, secure housing of all inmates within the unit. Responsible for maintaining and documenting the various programs within the unit, i.e. feeding, recreation, unit sanitation, personal hygiene and medical.

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

Career Transition Programs (CTAP): 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 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 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

Qualifications

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

Education:

GL-09 and GS-11: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

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. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the qualifications necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

GL-09:

  • Experience working more responsible posts, such as Control Center, Front/Rear Gate, and Visiting Room.
  • Experience providing training and guidance to lower-graded officers.
  • Experience and knowledge of BOP regulations and policies.
  • Experience initiating/participating in searching of inmates, inmate housing units and inmate working area to prevent introduction of contraband.

GS-11:

  • Experience preparing, changing, and implementing post orders.
  • Experience preparing quarterly assignment rosters.
  • Experience conducting internal audits of all areas in an institution.
  • Experience providing guidance and counseling to employees.

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.

Education

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:
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution. 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.

The representative rate for this position is $84,422 per annum ($40.45 per hour).

SALARY RANGE: The salary range for this announcement reflects Rest of US GL-09/01 $65,545 to highest GS-11/10 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA $124,730. See current pay scales for locality area for which you are applying at www.opm.gov and search pay tables.

Special Conditions of Employment Section:

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.

Although competitive and non-competitive applications are being accepted, the selecting official may elect to have only one group reviewed.

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.

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.

Retention Incentives may be paid to selectee(s) who meet criteria for Retention Incentives.

10% to 18% Retention Incentive authorized. Contact the institution of interest for specific information.

Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances (COLA):
There is an 8.64% (of basic pay) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) authorized for FDC Honolulu, HI, and a 2.49% for MDC Guaynabo, PR.

See COLA and Locality Pay Rates in Nonforeign Areas for more information.

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.

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 cut off dates (end of month).

If you applied to more than one grade level, BE ADVISED that you may be selected at ANY grade level for which you applied and are found qualified (i.e., if the job is announced at the 9/11 grade levels and you apply for the GS/GL-9 and the GS-11, and you are found qualified at BOTH grade levels, you may be selected at either grade level).

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:

  • Oral Communication
  • Writing
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Decision Making
  • Managing Human Resources
  • Technical Competence
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13061656

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 - All Applicants:
You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) that includes your name, contact information, and relevant experience (cover letter optional).Additionally, for each job entry listed in your employment history, you must include:

  • Official position title,
  • Employer name and contact information,
  • Start and end dates (month and year, MM/YYYY, format),
  • Indicate number of hours worked per week, and
  • A list of duties performed and accomplishments.
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 above AND clearly cite the duties performed.

For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my resume?

College Transcripts:
If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required, you must submit a transcript containing a school name and student name in addition to full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award (if applicable). Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your first day.

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:
If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP, you must submit:
  • A copy of the agency notice (i.e., letter of intent to separate, separation notice, or agency RIF letter),
  • Your most recent performance appraisal, and
  • Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
Due Weight for Performance:
  1. You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, and
  2. 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. 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. Due weight for performance applies to federal and non-federal work. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Note: See USAJOBS Current & Former Employees for more information.
Professional Certification/License: if applicable.

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

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/30/2027 to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

  • Click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

Need Help?
If you need help with USAJOBs or the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help or Application Manager Online Help websites which includes information on managing your account, creating an application, uploading documents, etc.

Limit your resume to 2 pages. 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 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 applications submitted prior to the cut-off date will receive consideration for certification. (CUT-OFF DATES ARE THE LAST DAY OF EACH MONTH).

You will continue to receive consideration for this position until you are SELECTED or until you WITHDRAW your application.

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.

Agency contact information

Staffing Operations Section

Next steps

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list.

We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 80 days from the close of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement 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.

Additional locations

MDC LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, CA
MCC SAN DIEGO
San Diego, CA
FCC VICTORVILLE
Victorville, CA
FCC FLORENCE
Florence, CO
FCC COLEMAN
Coleman, FL
FDC MIAMI
Miami-Dade County, FL
FDC HONOLULU
Honolulu, HI
MCC CHICAGO
Chicago, IL
FCC TERRE HAUTE
Terre Haute, IN
USP BIG SANDY
Inez, KY
USP MCCREARY
Pine Knot, KY
FCC OAKDALE
Oakdale, LA
FCC POLLOCK
Pollock, LA
FCC YAZOO CITY
Yazoo City, MS
FCC BUTNER
Butner Federal Correctional Complex, NC
MDC BROOKLYN
Kings, NY
FCC ALLENWOOD
Gregg Township, PA
FDC PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia, PA
USP CANAAN
Waymart, PA
MDC GUAYNABO
Guaynabo, PR
FCC BEAUMONT
Beaumont, TX
FDC HOUSTON
Houston, TX
USP LEE
Jonesville, VA
FCC PETERSBURG
Prince George, VA
FDC SEATAC
Seatac, WA
FCC HAZELTON
Bruceton Mills, WV

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