Clinical Psychologist (Specialty Program Coordinator - Challenge)

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Duties

Responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating the specialty treatment program and for coordinating and evaluating all activities within the specialty treatment program.

Responsible for the administration, scoring and interpretation of a wide variety of psychological testing instruments and procedures. Plans and performs both individual and group psychotherapy on a regularly scheduled basis. Also conducts a wide variety of interviews and crisis intervention sessions. Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary unit team in developing, implementing, and assessing program needs and goals.

Plans and performs both individual and group psychotherapy on a regularly scheduled basis.

Directly responsible for development, evaluation and coordination of residential and nonresidential treatment programs (if applicable) and for designing individual treatment plans. Treatment modalities and techniques used include (but are not limited to) behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, insight-oriented psychotherapy, behavioral group psychotherapy, bio-feedback, crisis intervention, assertiveness training, social skills therapy, substance abuse education, individual psychotherapy, and pre-release planning.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

Salary

• $124,085 - $161,313/year

Conditions of Employment

Career Transition Programs (CTAP): This program applies to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

1. Meet CTAP eligibility criteria;
2. Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility:
   • A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter),
   • Most recent performance appraisal, and
   • Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
   • See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: U.S Department of Justice - Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Key Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship is Required.
• See Special Conditions of Employment Section.

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following:


Basic Requirements:


Satisfactory completion of all the requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology is required.


NOTE: Applicants may have received this degree in either clinical or counseling psychology.


AND


In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have:


Education:


There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.


Experience:


At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically be in or related to the position to be filled.


Some examples of the qualifying experience are:

• Experience in developing, evaluating and coordinating inpatient therapeutic programming.


• Experience providing clinical and administrative supervision of subordinate clinical staff.


• Experience developing individualized cognitive behavioral treatment plans/interventions for incarcerated persons with antisocial attitudes and behaviors, substance abuse and/or mental illness using clinical data including psychological assessments, clinical interviews and/or behavioral observations.


• Experience facilitating individual and group cognitive behavioral psychotherapy specific to the special population targeted in the treatment program.


• Knowledge of current literature and research related to cognitive behavioral interventions, treatment practices and program evaluations.

Selective Placement Factor:


Applicants applying for this position MUST also possess the following Selective Factor. In the event that you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for the position.

• Applicant must hold a full, current and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.

NOTE: All applicants must electronically upload a copy of their license at the time they apply to the vacancy announcement. The documentation provided MUST show the expiration date of the license. Failure to provide this documentation will result in loss of consideration for this position.


If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as number of hours worked per week) spent in the activities.


**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**

Education ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here. Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty. Other Information Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institutions, applicants applying for this series can be considered at any age. An approved age waiver prior to entry on duty is required. Age waivers are not required for: Applicants with prior federal law enforcement coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans. The representative rate for this position is $136,495 per annum ($65.40 per hour) Special Conditions of Employment Section: Initial appointment to a supervisory/managerial position requires a one-year probationary period. The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation to meet the needs of the agency. Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks. All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm. Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required. The addresses listed on the USAJOBS account/resume must be the primary residence at the time of application. You may be required to provide proof of residence. Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate. Although competitive and non-competitive applications are being accepted, the selecting official may elect to have only one group reviewed. NOTE: A RETENTION INCENTIVE UP TO 25% MAY BE OFFERED TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION INCENTIVE Required Documents

Failure to provide legible required documents and/or follow the prescribed format often results in removal from consideration. If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc. Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD-214, or Transcripts.

• Resume (limited to 2 pages) must include your name, contact information, and relevant experience (cover letter optional).
  • Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence of qualifying experience (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, MOU, etc.).
  • If providing a memorandum, it must follow the format below AND clearly cite the duties performed.
  • To receive credit for experience, your resume and/or any satisfactory evidence must include:
    • Start date and end date in month/year format (MM/YYYY) AND
    • Number of hours worked per week.
• SF-50: Current or former Federal employees NOT employed by the Bureau of Prisons MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment, tenure group, and salary. If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. If you are applying for a higher grade, and your experience was gained at a Federal agency other than the Bureau of Prisons, you MUST provide the SF-50 Form which verifies the length of time you have been in your highest grade and supports your claim for time-in-grade.
• SF-50: If you are a current/former federal government employee, you must provide an unredacted copy of your latest SF-50.
• Proof of CTAP eligibility, Click Here, if applicable.
• College transcript: includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree, and Date Awarded (if applicable).
  • NOTE: If you are selected, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.
• A copy of your latest yearly performance appraisal/evaluation.
• Professional Certification/License

For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job?

We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.

How to Apply

You must apply through the online application system at www.USAJOBS.gov. Follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions and submit all required documents.

This position may require the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described under the Required Documents section. Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the "How to Apply" instructions. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment.

USAJOBS Help Center - How to Add a Resume to Your Profile

All required supporting documentation MUST be received by the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on 09/15/2026.

If applicable see Notice for Preference Eligible Veterans Applicants

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13053898

How do I Apply for this Position if I am a Current Public Health Service Commissioned Officer?

• Submit a complete/detailed resume or curriculum vitae.
• Limit your resume to 2 pages. If the only resume(s) received is/are longer than two pages, your application is ineligible for further consideration.
• Address selective factor, if required.
• Resume or curriculum vitae must contain all information listed in the Qualifications Section.
• Submit supporting documents (i.e. transcripts, certification, registration, and/or license, if applicable).

Your completed application packet must be submitted to the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), on 09/15/2026. You must include the last four digits of your social security number and the vacancy announcement number on your application packet. DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ON-LINE