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Posted: January 5, 2026 (9 days ago)

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Correctional Program Specialist (Residential Reentry Specialist)

Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Recent

Salary

$63,780 - $97,087

per year

Closes

January 27, 2026

GS-9 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $51,332 - $66,732

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-8. Master's degree or 2 years graduate study.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves helping inmates in federal prisons prepare for life after release by managing residential reentry programs, ensuring a safe environment, and coordinating support services to reduce recidivism.

A good fit would be someone with a background in criminal justice, social work, or psychology who enjoys working directly with people in challenging situations and has experience in correctional settings.

It's ideal for those passionate about rehabilitation and public safety.

Key Requirements

  • Master's degree or equivalent in correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or related field (for GS-09); Ph.D. or equivalent for GS-11
  • At least one year of specialized experience in correctional programs, including working with inmates on detention, supervision, and reentry preparation
  • Knowledge of correctional techniques, security designations, custody classification, and inmate management
  • Experience in case management, such as tracking appeals, progress reports, and parole procedures
  • For GS-11: Supervisory or administrative experience in directing correctional programs, policy development, and program evaluation
  • Familiarity with Residential Reentry policies, Central Inmate Monitoring System (CIMS), and disciplinary processes
  • Ability to apply analytical techniques and manage expenditures in a correctional context

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: GS-09: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B or J.D., if related.

GS-11: A Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M. if related.

Evaluation of Education: Major study—correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or other fields related to the position.

Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR Experience: GS-09 and GS-11: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level.

Specialized experience is directly related experience that included substantial involvement with a correctional program and provided a thorough knowledge of correctional techniques, or experience in meeting and dealing with people that demonstrated the ability to work effectively with inmates and associates in a correctional environment.

GS-11 only: Experience must also have demonstrated the ability to perform supervisory or administrative duties successfully.

This includes; (1) understanding the problems of custody, treatment, training, and release of inmates of penal or correctional institutions; (2) a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of an institution's internal policies, programs, regulations, and procedures; and (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 this qualifying experience are: GS-09: Experience as a law enforcement officer in a correctional facility which included primary responsibility for the detention, direction, supervision, inspection, training, employment care and transportation of inmates incarcerated in these facilities.

Experience in security designations and custody classification. Experience entering and tracking appeals filed by inmates and assisting with researching and preparing responses to inmate appeals.

Experience in providing assistance to contractors in the area of classification, programs, progress reports, parole procedures and other related case management areas.

GS-11: Experience in developing policy, providing expert advice, supervising, and evaluating programs in correctional facilities.

Experience with security designations, custody classifications, performing case management functions, Central Inmate Monitoring System (CIMS) and the disciplinary process in contract facilities.

Experience in applying, maintaining and interpreting Residential Reentry policies to include ability to apply analytical and evaluation techniques.

Experience with the principles and standard practices of accounting which are necessary to manage, audit, monitor, and certify expenditures.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: GS-09 and GS-11: A combination of education and experience.

This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above. 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 all duties and functions related to case work activities for sentenced adults and adjudicated juveniles housed in non-federal facilities, under the general direction of the Residential Reentry manager.

Serves as a liaison with other criminal justice agencies, particularly the United States Courts, United States Probation Offices (USPO), United States Marshals Service, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

Responsible for monitoring the Center Discipline Committee (CDC) process and, on occasion, may participate in hearings and disposition of charges involving disciplinary actions against inmates in contract facilities.

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: 1/5/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/6/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CO-2026-0071