Correctional Officer (Correctional Counselor)
About The Position
Correctional professionals foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into the community. The Correctional Counselor develops and implements programs within the unit to address the individual needs of inmates, including individual and group counseling. As part of the institution intake process (Admissions & Orientation), the counselor interviews newly admitted inmates. The Correctional Counselor helps maintain and enhance the security of the unit and institution through extensive contact with inmates. The counselor serves as the unit expert and coordinator for inmate personal property, including incoming and outgoing package approvals, and trust fund activities, including inmate withdrawals and special purchase orders. Like all correctional institution employees, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining institutional security. Correctional responsibilities take precedence over other duties and are performed regularly and on an ongoing basis.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship is required.
- For GL-08 and GL-09, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level is required; education cannot substitute for this experience.
- GL-08 qualifying experience may include substance abuse counseling, probation work, or law enforcement training coordination; developing or implementing programs; drafting assessment or behavior reports; assessing inmate or offender programming needs; or working with individuals with special needs such as mental health, substance abuse, or anger management issues.
- GL-09 qualifying experience may include police, social work, mental health counseling in a residential facility, or detention work; individual and group counseling; internal and external audits; coordination of inmate property or intake and Admission and Orientation processes; following policy in the Administrative Remedy grievance process; or reentry program coordination.
- Applicants must be physically capable of the duties and free from defects or disease that could pose an employment hazard. The role involves prolonged walking and standing, restraining prisoners in emergencies, and participating in escape hunts.
- Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation; applicants are subject to NCIC and credit checks.
- Applicants not currently working in an institution must complete a qualification inquiry regarding misdemeanor domestic violence convictions to be authorized to carry a firearm.
- Successful completion of the three-week Introduction to Correctional Techniques course in Glynco, Georgia is required.
- For CTAP selection priority, eligible applicants must meet CTAP criteria, be rated well-qualified, and submit the required agency notice, most recent performance appraisal, and most recent SF-50.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement unit programs to meet the individual needs of inmates.
- Provide individual and group counseling.
- Interview newly admitted inmates as part of Admissions & Orientation.
- Help maintain and enhance unit and institution security through contact with inmates.
- Coordinate inmate personal property matters, including approval of incoming and outgoing packages.
- Coordinate trust fund activities, including inmate withdrawals and special purchase orders.
- Maintain institutional security as a regular and recurring responsibility.
Benefits
- Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
