Warden Job in Prisons - Nationwide

Vacancy No. MSS-2025-0004 Department Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
Salary $146,481.00 to $190,424.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/25/2025 Close Date 8/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Prisons - Nationwide


Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Duties

As a Warden, the incumbent is responsible for exercising control and supervision of all aspects of the institution's functions, which may include oversight of Federal Prison Industries. The incumbent plays a major role in the determination and establishment of policies and programs involved in institutional operations. The incumbent assists in setting broad policies and developing procedures to conduct programs of the entire institution. This position requires broad knowledge in the correctional field and wide knowledge of various institutional activities. The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation to meet the needs of the agency.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citzenship Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.

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 eligibility, 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 score 85 or better on established ranking 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 this position, you must meet the qualification requirements.

You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 Federal grade level. This experience must have equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the major duties of this position as described above. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform supervisory or administrative duties successfully.

This includes 1) understanding the problems of custody, treatment, training, release of inmates; 2) thorough and comprehensive knowledge of an institution's policies, program regulations and procedures; 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 qualifying experience are:

  • Experience evaluating, developing and implementing policies and procedures to support operations within a correctional institution or penal environment.
  • Experience advising executive staff on diverse programs to assist in measuring the impact of policy, procedures, correctional programs on the inmate population and/or staff within a correctional institution or penal environment.
  • Knowledge of correctional/penal operations to effectively manage and make decision regarding operations and activities impacting operations.
  • Experience providing supervisory/managerial oversight over various correctional institution/penal environment programs such as medical, mental health, clinical programs, custody, transportation, industries and education. 

Credit will be given for paid and 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.

Additional information

This position IS NOT included in the bargaining unit.

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.  

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 urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks.

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 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.

Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.

This position has been identified as test designated. Incumbents will be subject to urinalysis testing under the BOP Drug Free Workplace Plan.

All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.

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.

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.

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 resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. 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 questionnaire;
  • 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.

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:

  • Ability to identify and manage potentially disruptive situations in the institution.
  • Knowledge of the policy, directives and regulations of the Federal Prison System governing control of institutional operations and security.
  • Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with others.
  • Ability to communicate orally.
  • Ability to persuade and motivate others.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and determine priorities.
  • Ability to analyze information and establish program objectives and/or performance goals.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  • Resume showing 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 (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, etc.)
  • To receive credit for experience contained in an application, the experience 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.
  • Documentation supporting eligibility for consideration as a 30% or More Disabled Veteran includes a Civil Service Preference Letter; or a Ten Point Preference Letter; or an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from any branch of the Armed Forces, certifying a service-connected disability of 30% or more. The document must reflect the overall evaluation or percentage disability rating. Veterans must also demonstrate 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).
  • 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.
  • CTAP, Click Here, 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.

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. You MUST include the vacancy announcement number on your supporting documentation.

Dual Consideration: Status candidates who wish to receive consideration under merit promotion procedures and as a non-competitive applicant (30% Disabled Veteran or Schedule A, 213.3102(u)) must apply online and submit a memorandum and supporting documentation via email requesting consideration for both application methods to BOP-HRM-HRSC-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-S@bop.gov.

NOTE: Failure to follow these application procedures will result in the applicant losing consideration for this position.

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

How do I Apply for this Position if I am applying under the Special Hiring Authority – Schedule A, 213.3102(u)?

To be considered for this Special Hiring Authority, applicants must submit documents to GRA-HRM-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-S@bop.gov.

  • Submit a complete/detailed resume.
  • Address selective factor, if required.
  • Resume must contain all information listed in the Qualifications Section.
  • Submit supporting documents (i.e. transcripts, certification, registration, and/or license, if applicable).
  • Proof of Disability/Certification.  For more information Click Here 

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.

Agency contact information

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

Next steps

Applicants will receive a confirmation screen once the application is successfully submitted. Once your complete application is received, a review of your qualifications will be conducted and your ranking will be determined. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Initial selections are expected within 60 days of the closing date of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement until the next vacancy announcement open period. You will be notified of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed.

You will continue to receive consideration for this position until the next vacancy announcement open period, or until you are selected for this position or comparable position.


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