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Posted: January 9, 2026 (5 days ago)

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Correctional Officer (Senior Officer Specialist)

Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$68,518 - $91,498

per year

Closes

January 16, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves supervising inmates in a federal prison, ensuring their safety and security while helping them prepare for life after release, and guiding junior staff in maintaining a humane environment.

It's a senior-level role that requires hands-on experience in corrections to handle challenging situations like enforcing rules and managing emergencies.

A good fit would be someone with prior law enforcement or military corrections background who is physically fit and committed to public safety.

Key Requirements

  • At least one year of specialized experience in supervising inmates in a correctional setting for GL-07, equivalent to the next lower grade
  • For GL-08, one year of advanced specialized experience in correctional treatment, custody, and control of inmates in a facility
  • GL-07 only: One full year of graduate education in criminal justice, social science, or related field (no education substitution for GL-08)
  • Physical capability for arduous duties including prolonged walking, standing, restraining prisoners, and participating in escape hunts
  • Sound health and freedom from medical conditions that could pose hazards to self or others
  • Experience enforcing rules, conducting inmate counts, and working various correctional posts like housing units or control rooms
  • Ability to supervise inmates in high-skill areas such as segregation, recreation, or dining rooms, including special handling cases

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-07: One full academic year of graduate education with major study in criminal justice, social science, or other field related to the position is qualifying for GL-07.

GL-08: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

OR Experience: GL-07: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade.

Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.

Examples of occupations where specialized experience may have been gained: Correctional Officer Jailer Detention Officer Deputy Sheriff supervising inmates in a jail.

Military Corrections (Brig, Internment/Resettlement Specialist, etc. Some examples of this qualifying experience are: Providing supervision, care and security of inmates in a correctional environment.

Experience supervising inmates throughout the institution and providing instructions related to institutional procedures and sanitation.

Experience with enforcing rules and regulations governing correctional institution security, inmate accountability and inmate conduct. Experience with conducting various count procedures of inmates.

Experience working various correctional posts, assignments (such as Control Room, Rear-gate, Housing Units, etc.).

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

Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position to be filled.

Experience must have been gained in a correctional facility with responsibilities in correctional treatment, care, custody, and control of inmates.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are: Experience with assignments made to those areas requiring the maximum skill and expertise in dealing with inmates, the public, and the security of the institution.

Experience in supervising and instructing inmates regarding proper sanitation, personal hygiene and work habits.

Experience in maintaining the control and discipline of inmates in such areas as the auditorium, housing units, segregation, recreation areas, dining rooms, etc.

Experience in having responsibility for the custody and control of inmates who require special handling.

AND Medical Requirement: GL-07 and GL-08: 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:

Provides supervision, care and correctional treatment of inmates and guidance to lower-graded Correctional Officers.

Concerned with maintenance of institution security contributing to the health and welfare of the inmates and the promotion of good public relations.

Enforces rules and regulations governing facility security, inmate accountability and inmate conduct to ensure judicial sanctions are carried out and inmates remain in custody.

From time to time, may be authorized to carry firearms and to use physical force, including deadly force, to maintain control of inmates.

During institution emergencies or other periods of heavy workload or limited staff, may be required to work long and irregular hours, unusual shifts, Sundays, holidays and unexpected overtime.

Senior Officer Specialist must be flexible and have a broad knowledge base to use own initiative in the resolution of problem situations.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/10/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: VIM-2026-0033