Correctional Officer

Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs • Belcourt, ND

26d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, District 1-Standing Rock Detention, serving facilities in Belcourt, Fort Totten, and Fort Yates, North Dakota, and Lower Brule and Wagner, South Dakota. It is a bargaining-unit position. Permanent Change of Station may be authorized. The full-performance level is GL-08; applicants selected at a lower grade will receive training and opportunities to learn the duties.

The Correctional Officer safeguards the facility, staff, and offenders by supervising and caring for criminal offenders in detention. The role includes intake and release, behavior management, observation and supervision, health-related screening and referrals, documentation, and transporting offenders. Officers enforce applicable rules and regulations and support facility programs and services. The position also involves responding to emergencies, maintaining security during transportation, and safeguarding offenders and their belongings while in custody.

The position requires successful completion of mandatory basic and advanced training, with annual training to maintain qualifications. It is approved for Primary Law Enforcement Coverage. Selectees must operate a government motor vehicle and pass required medical and drug testing. New hires serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must meet the applicable qualification requirements for the grade level: GL-05 requires three years of general work experience, a completed four-year bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination; GL-06 requires one year of specialized experience at the GS/GL-05 level assisting with supervision and care of offenders; GL-07 requires one year of specialized experience at the GS/GL-06 level independently supervising and caring for offenders, maintaining inmate documentation and controlled movements, and experience with Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Management Plans, or one academic year of related graduate education.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a safe driving record within the four years immediately preceding submission of GSA Form 3607.
• Must pass a pre-employment medical examination and may be subject to post-employment medical examinations to assess fitness standards.
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing; a verified positive test prevents appointment.
• Must successfully complete mandatory basic and advanced training and complete annual training to maintain qualifications under BIA OJS standards and policies.
• A background security investigation and favorable adjudication are required for appointment.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or a two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Maximum entry age is 37, unless the applicant has sufficient prior federal civilian law enforcement or applicable firefighter experience, or qualifies for the preference-eligible veteran exception.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, who are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act must be registered.

Responsibilities

• Enforce rules and regulations governing detention facility operations, offender confinement, safety, health, and protection.
• Conduct preliminary physical and mental health interviews and classification assessments.
• Orient 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, religious services, meals, laundry, and counseling.
• Observe and supervise offender movement, perform welfare checks and physical counts, maintain discipline, and prevent contraband from entering the facility.
• Maintain documentation, logs, and reports concerning inmate incidents and management.
• Manage the behavior of offenders who require supervision, use effective verbal communication, document actions, and make referrals to appropriate resources.
• Instruct offenders in housekeeping, sanitation, and the proper use and care of tools and equipment for unskilled or semi-skilled work.
• Transport offenders to courts, medical appointments, and other facilities, providing close supervision throughout transport.
• Implement safety procedures in facility emergency management plans, including fire and emergency evacuations.
• Maintain vehicle safety and security, offender supervision and accountability, fire safety, key control, perimeter security, and compliance with offender rules during transportation.
• Ensure offenders are released according to established regulations and operational procedures.
• Report and document facility maintenance needs to a supervisor.
• Accept custody of Indian Country offenders from law enforcement entities and verify that accompanying documents include valid criminal charges or proper release documents.
• Safeguard offenders and their personal belongings while they are in the program's custody, and escort them to appointments or other detention institutions and facilities when necessary.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type.
• Related non-federal experience or retired uniformed-service experience may, at management's discretion and subject to criteria, be credited toward annual leave accrual eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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