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Posted: January 12, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Clinical Psychologist (Advanced Care Level Psychologist)

Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$89,508 - $138,370

per year

Closes

January 27, 2026

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves providing mental health care to inmates in a federal prison who have serious conditions like psychosis or severe depression, including assessments, treatment plans, and crisis intervention to help them manage their issues while incarcerated.

A good fit would be an experienced clinical psychologist who enjoys working in a secure environment, has strong skills in handling challenging behaviors, and is committed to supporting rehabilitation for successful community reentry.

Key Requirements

  • Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical or counseling psychology
  • Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or D.C.
  • At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 level, such as monitoring mentally ill inmates and conducting psychological assessments
  • Experience in treatment and care of inmates with mental illness, including suicide prevention
  • Skills in crisis intervention and managing disruptive patients
  • Ability to develop individualized treatment plans and provide supervision to less experienced staff

Full Job Description

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

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following: Basic Requirements: Satisfactory completion of all the requirements for a 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.

AND In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have: Education: GS-12 and GS-13: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Experience: GS-12 and GS-13: 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 particular qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically be in or related to the position to be filled.

Some examples of the qualifying experience are: GS-12: Experience monitoring inmates with mental illnesses.

Experience conducting psychological assessments and preparing reports related to the assessment of mentally ill individuals.

Experience in treatment and care of inmates with mental illness and suicide prevention. Experience utilizing clinical skills to manage disruptive patients and providing crisis intervention.

GS-13: Experience in conducting psychological evaluations of mentally ill inmates including administration, scoring and interpretation of a wide range of personality assessment instruments, intellectual and cognitive assessment procedures and neuropsychological measures.

Experience in developing individualized treatment plans. Experience in providing supervision and training for less experienced staff psychologists.

Experience in determining the appropriate care level designation for mentally ill inmates. AND Selective Factor: Applicants applying for this position MUST also possess the following Selective Factor.

In the event that you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for the position.

Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.

NOTE: All applicants must electronically upload a copy of their license at the time they apply to the vacancy announcement. The documentation provided MUST show the expiration date of the license.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in loss of consideration for this position. 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.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.** Major Duties:

Responsible for providing comprehensive psychological services to inmates who have been identified as needing closer supervision or a greater level of care than afforded other general population inmates due to a moderate, severe, or acute mental illness, to include but not limited to psychosis, mania and/or major depression.

Responsible of making professional decisions concerning inmates under his/her care, with consultative supervision from the Chief Psychologist for clinical decisions, peer clinical consultation with the provider of psychiatric services, and administrative issue consultation with the Chief Psychologist, Health Services Administrator, Associate Warden of Programs, and the Warden.

Responsible for professional decisions within the scope of his/her training concerning the diagnosis and treatment of inmates assigned to his/her care.

Responsible for developing and monitoring a quality assurance plan for the Care 2/3/4 mental health mission, as well as meeting quality assurance standards as set by the Psychology Service Department.

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.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/12/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/13/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: NCR-2026-0122