Correctional Officer (Correctional Counselor)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System • Aliceville, AL

9h

About The Position

The Correctional Counselor develops and implements unit programs to meet the individual needs of incarcerated people, including individual and group counseling. As part of the institution’s Admissions and Orientation intake process, the counselor interviews newly admitted inmates. Through extensive contact with inmates, the counselor helps maintain and enhance the security of the unit and institution. The counselor also serves as the unit expert and coordinator for inmate personal property matters, including approval of incoming and outgoing packages, and trust fund activities, including withdrawals and special purchase orders.

Like all correctional institution employees, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining institutional security. Correctional duties take precedence over all other responsibilities of the position and are performed regularly.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical examination, and background investigation. Applicants must pass applicable National Crime Information Center 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.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the qualification requirements through either one full academic year of graduate education with major study in criminal justice, social science, or another related field, or at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level.
• Qualifying experience may include work as a correctional officer, residential counselor for at-risk individuals, or re-entry services specialist; obtaining information and resources; knowledge of policies regarding inmate programs; enforcing rules and regulations in a correctional environment; or making decisions in a crisis.
• Meet the Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons medical requirements and be physically capable of the duties, including prolonged walking and standing, restraining prisoners in emergencies, and participating in escape hunts; applicants must be in sound health and physical fitness.
• Complete required pre-employment and panel interviews, urinalysis, physical examination, background investigation, and applicable NCIC and credit checks.
• Complete the three-week Introduction to Correctional Techniques training course in Glynco, Georgia.
• Meet the Selective Service requirement, if applicable.
• Applicants relying on education must provide legible transcripts with the required identifying and degree information; education must be from an appropriately accredited institution. Selected applicants qualified based on education must provide an official transcript before their first day on duty.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement unit programs to meet inmates’ individual needs, including individual and group counseling.
• Interview newly admitted inmates as part of the Admissions and Orientation process.
• Help maintain and enhance unit and institutional security through extensive contact with inmates.
• Coordinate inmate personal property matters, including approvals for incoming and outgoing packages.
• Coordinate trust fund activities, including inmate withdrawals and special purchase orders.
• Maintain institutional security; correctional responsibilities take precedence over other duties and are performed regularly.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time