Correctional Officer

Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs • Towaoc, CO

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, District 4-Ute Mountain Ute Detention, serving Mescalero, New Mexico, and Towaoc, Colorado. It is a bargaining-unit position, and permanent change of station may be authorized. The full performance level is GL-08; selectees at a lower grade will receive training to develop the skills needed for full-performance duties.

The Correctional Officer safeguards the security and operation of the detention facility and the safety, care, and control of offenders. The role involves booking and release, offender behavior management, crisis prevention and intervention, observation and supervision, health-care access and referrals, accurate documentation, and transporting offenders to court, medical, and other facilities. Officers enforce applicable federal and Bureau of Indian Affairs rules and procedures, conduct preliminary health interviews and classification assessments, orient new admissions to facility rules, and coordinate offender services and programs.

The position requires frequent direct contact with people in confinement and may involve significant stress, exposure to disease, and potentially dangerous situations. Duties may require temporary duty away from the regular duty station, including extended periods. The position is physically demanding and requires the ability to perform the duties efficiently and safely.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the applicable minimum qualification path for the grade: GL-05 requires three years of general work experience, including one year equivalent to GS-04; a full four-year bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For GL-06, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS/GL-05 assisting with supervision and care of criminal offenders in a correctional or detention facility, such as control-room duties, booking, intake, inmate transport, documentation, controlled movement, or supervision; or meet an applicable education or combination path if stated in the announcement.
• For GL-07, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS/GL-06 independently supervising and caring for offenders, maintaining inmate documentation and controlled movement, and working with Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Management Plans. Experience may include enforcing facility security and accountability rules, transporting inmates, and guiding lower-level officers; alternatively, complete one academic year of graduate education (18 semester or 27 quarter hours) in criminal justice, social science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Successfully complete a background security investigation and receive favorable adjudication.
• If applicable, comply with the Military Selective Service registration requirement.
• Operate a government motor vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license, with a safe driving record during the four years immediately preceding submission of GSA Form 3607.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination and, if required, post-employment medical examinations to maintain fitness standards.
• Pass pre-employment and random drug testing; a verified positive pre-employment drug test makes an applicant ineligible for appointment.
• Meet the maximum entry-age requirement of 37 unless eligible for an exception based on qualifying prior federal civilian law-enforcement experience or veteran preference.
• Be physically capable of performing the duties and free from defects or disease that could create an employment hazard to the employee or others.
• Submit transcripts or other education documentation by the announcement closing date when qualifying based on education.
• Be able to travel on short notice for temporary duty and potentially remain away from the regular duty station for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Enforce applicable rules and regulations governing detention facility operations, offender confinement, safety, health, and protection.
• Accept custody of Indian Country offenders and verify that case document packages include valid criminal charges or proper release documents.
• Conduct preliminary physical and mental health interviews and classification assessments.
• Orient newly admitted offenders to facility rules and operating procedures using the Inmate Handbook.
• Coordinate and supervise offender services, activities, and programs, including medical care, court access, mail, recreation, library, work programs, religious services, food, laundry, and counseling.
• Observe and supervise offender movement; conduct welfare checks and physical counts; maintain discipline; and prevent contraband from entering the facility.
• Document offender incidents and management, maintain logs and reports, and refer offenders to appropriate resources.
• Instruct offenders in housekeeping, sanitation, and the proper use and care of tools and equipment for unskilled or semi-skilled work.
• Manage the behavior of offenders requiring supervision through effective verbal and interpersonal communication and appropriate documentation.
• Transport offenders to court, medical appointments, and other facilities, providing close supervision throughout transport.
• Implement safety measures in facility emergency management plans, including fire and emergency evacuations.
• Maintain vehicle safety and security, offender supervision and accountability, searches, transportation, classification, counts, fire safety, key control, and perimeter security.
• Ensure offenders are released according to established regulations and operational procedures.
• Report and document facility maintenance and repair needs to a supervisor.
• Safeguard offenders and their personal belongings while in the program’s custody, and escort offenders to medical appointments or other detention institutions and facilities when necessary.
• Provide guidance to lower-level correctional officers, as applicable to the grade and experience level.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Potential credit for qualifying related non-federal experience or retired uniformed-service experience when calculating annual leave accrual, at management discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level