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Posted: December 30, 2025 (15 days ago)

This job has been posted for 2-4 weeks. Consider applying soon if interested.

Correctional Treatment Specialist (Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist)

Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Older

Salary

$64,750 - $98,554

per year

Closes

January 14, 2026

GS-11 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.

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

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working in a federal prison to help inmates overcome drug abuse through counseling, group sessions, and treatment plans, preparing them for a better life after release.

It's ideal for someone with a background in psychology, social work, or counseling who is passionate about rehabilitation and comfortable in a secure correctional setting.

The role requires strong skills in assessing needs and creating personalized support strategies.

Key Requirements

  • Degree or equivalent with at least 24 semester hours in behavioral or social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, counseling)
  • For GS-11: Three years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. in corrections, criminal justice, psychology, or related field; or one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 level
  • Specialized experience in substance abuse treatment, including group/individual counseling, assessments, and developing treatment plans for offenders
  • Selective factor: 12 semester hours of graduate coursework in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work, including 3 hours of internship/practicum; or 12 months full-time professional experience in a clinical treatment setting
  • Experience in correctional or criminal justice settings, such as casework, diagnostic counseling, or social rehabilitation
  • Ability to prepare reports, analyze data, and conduct comprehensive evaluations using cognitive behavioral techniques

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: A. Degree: that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences. OR B.

Combination of education and experience - that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences, and that provided applicants with knowledge of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a 4-year degree as shown in A above.

Evaluation of Education - Courses, such as sociology, correctional administration, criminal justice, government/political science, psychology, social work, counseling, and other related social or behavioral science courses may be used to satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement.

Evaluation of Experience - Experience must have been gained in (1) casework in a correctional institution or in another criminal justice setting; (2) counseling in any setting, provided it required diagnostic or treatment planning skills to achieve specific social or occupational goals; or (3) work treating persons in need of social rehabilitation.

AND In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirements above, all applicants must have the following: Education: GL-09: Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

GS-11: Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

Graduate Education must have been in corrections or a related field, such as criminal justice, sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, or other course work related to the position.

OR Experience: GL-09 and GS-11: You must have 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 knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position, and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are: GL-09: Experience in developing and providing multi-session presentations or lectures to groups.

Experience in preparing reports which required analyzing data from multiple sources. Experience in providing group and individual substance abuse treatment services in a correctional population.

Experience developing discharge reports and follow-up treatment for inmates who are releasing to the community. GS-11: Experience performing comprehensive evaluations on substance abusers.

Experience conducting assessments and testing instruments as needed or recommended by the Drug Abuse Treatment Coordinator. Experience utilizing cognitive behavioral treatment techniques.

Experience in developing substance abuse treatment plans for offenders or individuals in a drug treatment program.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: GL-09 and GS-11: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade may be combined with experience.

This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

AND Selective Factors: Applicants applying for this position, MUST possess one of the following Selective Factors.

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

GL-09: 12 semester hours of graduate course work in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work including three (3) semester hours as an intern/practicum student in a clinical treatment setting.

OR 12 months, full-time, professional experience in treating (i.e., developing treatment plans, conducting individual and group therapy) individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

GS-11: 24 semester hours of graduate course work in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work including six (6) semester hours as an intern/practicum student in a clinical treatment setting.

OR 24 months, full-time, professional experience in treating (i.e., developing treatment plans, conducting individual and group therapy) individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

NOTE: All applicants must clearly address this professional experience in their resume to be found qualified. If applicable, credit will be given for paid or unpaid experience.

To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as number of hours worked per week) spent in the activities.

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

Functions as a Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist (DATS) within a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) federal correctional facility.

Provides direct services, individual therapy and/or group counseling, drug education, residential and/or non-residential treatment services which focuses on the rational behavioral therapy model of drug abuse treatment and criminality.

Responsible for the education of prison staff about drug abuse, drug abuse treatment and the local prison program.

Administers eligibility and psycho-social assessments as the basis for individual treatment planning.

Attends meetings with supervisors, other drug treatment DATSs, the unit team, etc., to share information, knowledge, ideas, and recommendations for the drug abuse treatment participant.

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: 12/30/2025 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 12/31/2025

Source: USAJOBS | ID: GRE-2026-0008