Correctional Program Specialist (Supervisory Correctional Systems Specialist)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Correctional Program Specialist has institutional oversight responsibility for ensuring the legality and duration of confinement for individuals committed to the custody of the Attorney General. The position is accountable for intake and release systems, inmate processing, contraband prevention, inmate property, judgment and commitment records, sentence-computation review, records security, timely processing and delivery of inmate mail and packages, prisoner transfers, and data systems. The incumbent maintains liaison with courts, committing agencies, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Like all correctional institution employees, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining institutional security; correctional responsibilities take precedence over other duties and are performed regularly. The position requires correctional program and administrative or supervisory experience, or qualifying education or a combination of education and experience. It includes responsibility for coordinating and directing activities, training subordinates, evaluating operations and program effectiveness, and maintaining work standards. Appointment is subject to applicable probationary, background, physical, and training requirements.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Qualifying education: a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or a related LL.M. Major study must be in correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or another field related to the position.
Alternatively, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level, involving correctional programs or work with people in a correctional environment and successful supervisory or administrative duties.
Specialized experience must demonstrate knowledge of inmate custody, treatment, training, and release; comprehensive knowledge of institutional policies, programs, regulations, and procedures; and experience training subordinates, directing activities, evaluating operations and programs, and maintaining work standards.
Qualifying experience must have been gained in an administrative position or in a position involving successful direction, or assistance in the direction, of an entire correctional program or a major phase of one.
Education and experience may be combined if together they qualify the applicant to perform the major duties.
When relying on education, applicants must upload legible transcripts through USAJOBS at application time; coursework and degrees must be from an appropriately accredited college or university. Selected applicants qualifying based on education must provide an official transcript before their first day.
Initial appointment to a supervisory or managerial position requires a one-year probationary period.
The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation based on agency needs.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation; applicants are also subject to NCIC and credit checks.
Applicants not currently working in an institution may need to 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 at Glynco, Georgia, is required.
Applicants must use their primary residence address on their USAJOBS account and resume at application time and may be asked to provide proof of residence.

Responsibilities

Ensure the legality and duration of confinement for commitments to the custody of the Attorney General.
Oversee intake and release systems and the physical processing of inmates.
Prevent the introduction of contraband and safeguard and disburse inmate personal property.
Maintain and archive judgment and commitment records; review sentence computations; and ensure the security and control of records.
Ensure mail room staff process and deliver inmate mail and packages within prescribed time frames.
Coordinate prisoner transfers and oversee data systems.
Maintain liaison with U.S. District Courts, D.C. Superior Court, committing agencies, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Maintain the security of the institution and perform correctional responsibilities on a regular and recurring basis.
Train subordinates, coordinate and direct activities and functions, evaluate operational performance and program effectiveness, and maintain high work standards.