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Posted: February 6, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Clinical Psychologist (Chief Psychologist)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$106,437 - $163,514

per year

Closes

March 2, 2026

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

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

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading the psychology department in a federal prison, where you'll oversee treatment programs, supervise staff, and help inmates prepare for life after release through therapy and assessments.

It's ideal for an experienced clinical psychologist who enjoys managing teams and applying mental health expertise in a correctional setting to promote safety and rehabilitation.

You'll handle everything from program development to staff training in a structured government environment.

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-12 level, including providing psychology services, therapy sessions, and inmate classification
  • Experience managing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and community referrals for staff
  • Supervisory experience in specialized treatment programs like drug abuse, forensics, or sex offender treatment
  • Knowledge of organizational development, modern correctional practices, and psychology department management

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-13 and GS-14: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Experience: GS-13 and GS-14: 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 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 this qualifying experience are: GS-13: Experience in reviewing completed studies, research documents and a variety of other reports.

Experience in providing psychology services, establishing group and individual therapy sessions, assisting in the classification of inmates, and participating on unit teams.

Experience in managing the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and providing assessment and referral to professional resources in the community for employees on an as needed basis.

Experience in consulting with management officials or unit staff on classification of inmates displaying possible emotional problems.

GS-14: Experience in specialized treatment program areas such as drug abuse treatment, forensics, sex offender treatment, APA psychology internship program, and transitional services program.

Experience in organizational development, modern correctional practices and various management concepts as it relates to the psychology department.

Experience in providing professional guidance to staff in the psychology department.

AND Selective Placement Factor: GS-13 and GS-14: 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:

Serves as Chief of the Psychology Services department at a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) federal correctional facility.

Major duties and responsibilities include administration and program development, psychological assessment and evaluation, training and supervision, research/program evaluation, as well as facilitating a wide variety of professional, self-help and personal growth programs.

The Chief Psychologist supervises two or more specialized treatment psychology programs, each directed by a GS-13 program coordinator psychologist.

Specialized treatment programs include such program areas as drug abuse treatment, forensics, sex offender treatment, APA psychology internship program, transitional services program, etc.

Maintains an ongoing awareness of organizational development, modern correctional practices and various management concepts as it relates to the psychology 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: 2/6/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/7/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: SCR-2026-0128