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Posted: January 5, 2026 (9 days ago)

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Social Worker

Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Recent

Salary

$74,678 - $97,087

per year

Closes

January 20, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a social worker in a federal prison, helping inmates prepare for life after release through assessments, therapy sessions, and coordination with outside agencies to ensure a safe and supportive transition back into communities.

It requires balancing clinical mental health support with maintaining prison security.

A good fit would be someone with advanced social work experience, a passion for rehabilitation, and the ability to handle diverse cultural backgrounds in a high-stakes environment.

Key Requirements

  • Master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), or equivalent unrestricted independent clinical license
  • At least one year of specialized experience in clinical social work, including psychosocial assessments and psychotherapy in diverse settings
  • OR 3 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a Ph.D. in social work or equivalent doctoral degree
  • OR a combination of qualifying education and specialized experience
  • Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, including attorneys, courts, hospitals, and medical professionals
  • Experience conducting group and individual therapy using evidence-based modalities

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: Degree: Social work.

Must fulfill all of the requirements for the master's degree in social work in a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

AND In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, applicants must have the following: Education: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree. Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR Experience: 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 specific qualifications to perform successfully 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: Experience working independently in a clinical environment, conducting psychosocial assessment to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, and varying backgrounds.

Experience in working collaboratively with a variety of agencies and individuals, such as attorneys, Federal Courts, hospitals, Federal Probation Officers, psychologist, psychiatrists, and physicians .

Experience independently conducting group and/or individual psychotherapy sessions utilizing multiple treatment modalities.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: Have 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.

AND Selective Placement Factor: Applicants applying for this position MUST also possess the following Selective Factor.

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

Applicant must possess a license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), or equivalent unrestricted, independent, clinical license.

NOTE: ALL applicants MUST upload their license for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Independent Clinical Social Worker, or equivalent unrestricted, independent, clinical license for verification at the time you apply.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and 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:

Responsible for providing medical and mental health release planning, social work assessments and evaluation, treatment activities, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions to individuals and groups.

Serves on and participates in specialized mental health and medical services committees and panels as a member of the interdisciplinary team, including Care Coordination and Reentry team, Risk Assessment Panels and Reduction in Sentence committee.

Responsible for answering all community inquiries in a timely manner and within the parameters of the Privacy Act of 1974 as well as the Freedom of Information Act.

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

The staffs 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: SPG-2026-0038