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Posted: February 3, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Correctional Officer (Correctional Counselor)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$61,557 - $84,994

per year

Closes

February 25, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a correctional counselor in a federal prison, where you'll help inmates through counseling, manage their personal items and funds, and support their preparation for life after release while ensuring the facility stays secure.

It's a hands-on role that combines direct interaction with inmates, program development, and security duties in a high-pressure environment.

A good fit would be someone with experience in counseling, law enforcement, or social work who is physically fit and comfortable handling challenging situations with people who have mental health or substance abuse issues.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GL-08 or GL-09 levels, such as in substance abuse counseling, probation, law enforcement, or social work in a residential or detention setting
  • Ability to conduct individual and group counseling sessions with inmates
  • Experience assessing inmates' needs, including those with mental health, substance abuse, or anger management issues
  • Knowledge of developing and implementing rehabilitation programs and coordinating re-entry services
  • Familiarity with inmate intake processes, personal property management, trust fund activities, and grievance procedures
  • Physical capability for arduous duties, including prolonged walking, standing, restraining prisoners, and emergency responses
  • Sound mental and physical health to handle unusual stress and ensure no employment hazards

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 qualification requirements: Education: GL-08 and GL-09: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Experience: GL-08 and GL-09: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level.

This experience must have equipped the applicant with the qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are: GL-08: Experience in work such as a substance abuse counselor, probation officer, or law enforcement training coordinator.

Experience in demonstrating knowledge of developing/implementing programs. Experience drafting reports to summarize assessments or behavior.

Experience assessing inmates'/offenders' programming needs. Experience interacting with inmates/offenders with special needs, (i.e., mental health, substance abuse, anger management issues).

GL-09: Experience in work such as police officer, social worker or mental health counselor in a residential facility or detention officer.

Experience in conducting individual and group counseling sessions. Experience conducting internal and external audits.

Experience in coordinating matters pertaining to inmate personal property and involvement in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Intake Process and inmate Admission and Orientation process.

Experience following policy to respond to the Administrative Remedy grievance process. Experience coordinating re-entry programs.

AND Medical Requirement: The Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons has established the following medical requirements for Correctional Officer positions: The duties of these positions involve unusual mental and nervous pressure and require arduous physical exertion involving prolonged walking and standing, restraining of prisoners in emergencies, and participating in escape hunts.

Applicants must be physically capable of performing efficiently the duties of these positions and be free from such defects or disease as may constitute employment hazards to themselves or others.

The duties of a Correctional Officer are arduous; and sound health as well as physical fitness is required. 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:

The Correctional Counselor develops and implements programs within the unit to meet the individual needs of the inmates confined, to include individual as well as group counseling.

As part of the institution intake process (Admissions & Orientation), must interview newly admitted inmates.

The Correctional Counselor plays a key role in maintaining and enhancing the security of the unit and institution by their extensive contacts with the inmates.

Serves as the unit expert and coordinator on matters pertaining to: (a) inmate personal property, including incoming and outgoing package approvals; and (b) trust fund activities, including inmate withdrawals and special purchase orders.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution.

The staff's 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: 2/3/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/4/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: TRV-2026-0015