in
Bureau of Prisons / Federal Prison System

Correctional Program Officer (Senior Deputy Assistant Director)

Bureau of Prisons / Federal Prison System See More Job Openings by This EmployerArrow
  • Full Time
  • $151,661 - $228,000/year
  • Washington, DC
September 11, 2026

Job Description

This position is located in the Reentry Services Division, Washington, DC. Under the general direction of the Assistant Director, the incumbent serves as the Senior Deputy Assistant Director providing administrative oversight and direction over programs within the division.

Duties

As the Senior Deputy Assistant Director for the Reentry Services Division, the incumbent provides executive leadership and direction for the Bureau's National Reentry Affairs initiatives. This includes setting strategic priorities, developing and evaluating national program strategies, recommending staffing and resource allocations, and overseeing nationwide outreach and engagement efforts. The incumbent leads collaboration with Department of Justice components, U.S. Probation and the Federal Courts, and a broad range of federal, state, and local agencies to advance the Bureau's reentry mission.

The incumbent prepares high-level position papers, evaluates research, and provides authoritative advice to the Assistant Director on strategies to facilitate successful community reintegration of individuals under Bureau custody and to contribute to reduced incarceration costs through improved population management.

The incumbent serves as the Division's principal leader for planning, implementing, and monitoring programs in newly activated Bureau institutions, ensuring alignment with national policy and established standards. The incumbent provides executive guidance for program modifications and improvements and serves as Acting Assistant Director in the Assistant Director's absence.

The incumbent offers senior-level counsel to the Assistant Director and the Director of the Bureau on assigned program areas, both operational and in development, and assesses the implications of these programs for the Bureau's overall mission, operations, and organizational performance.

The incumbent assists in developing and issuing Bureau-wide policy and operational guidance related to assigned functions and programs. The role includes providing expert advice and technical assistance to regional leadership and, through them, to institution executive staff. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating assigned program operations and conducts field visits to evaluate program execution, monitor performance, and support resolution of significant issues involving national policy interpretation and implementation.

Salary
  • $151,661 - $228,000/year
Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.
  • You will be required to travel occasionally for training and operational purposes.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result before you can be appointed into this position.
  • After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

Qualifications

This position uses a resume-only application process. To meet the minimum qualification requirements, your resume must clearly demonstrate possession of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) relevant to the position. The resume must not exceed two pages; resumes longer than two pages will not be considered. Your resume should include specific examples of experience, education, and accomplishments that reflect the required qualifications. If your resume does not provide sufficient evidence that you meet these qualifications, you may not receive further consideration. A panel may evaluate whether you meet the ECQs and MTQs through resume review, assessment, and/or interview.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
MTQ 1: To be qualified for this position, applicants must be able to show progressively responsible experience in a correctional environment which has demonstrated the ability to perform supervisory or administrative duties such as training subordinates in the specific duties related to their function in the institution, coordinating and directing operations and programs in a correctional setting or at the national level, evaluating performance of institution operations and the effectiveness of programs in relation to the inmate population. This experience must have been gained through the direction or assistance in the direction, of an entire correctional program or major phase of a correctional program.

MTQ 2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in leading, developing, and coordinating various administrative and technological executive level training programs and operations in justice involved settings (e.g., halfway house; reentry centers), and/or discipline (e.g., criminal justice research; probation/parole; legislative and media work specific to corrections). This experience should also include the ability to coordinate and direct programs as well as evaluate the performance and effectiveness of programs within the field of evidence-based practice and recidivism reduction as well as demonstrated expertise in effective change management.

Education This position does not have any education requirements. Other Information You must submit all required materials by the closing date of this announcement. If any required documents are missing, your application will be evaluated solely on the information received, which may result in reduced consideration or an ineligible determination. Application materials will not be returned. Upon appointment, you will be required to complete a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) and must update this report annually thereafter. Veterans' Preference does not apply to Senior Executive Service positions. The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for any selectee who is not a current or former career SES employee under Title 5 must be certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to appointment. Individuals entering the SES for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period. Applicants who have completed an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and received ECQ certification must provide a copy of their certification as part of their application package. Candidates must still meet the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) for the position, however, you do not need to address the ECQs if you meet any of the following criteria: You are currently serving under a career SES appointment You are eligible for reinstatement into the SES You have completed an OPM-approved CDP and received Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification. Proof of QRB certification must be provided. The selected candidate may undergo additional evaluation through a structured interview conducted by the OPM QRB. OPM must review and approve the executive qualifications of all new career SES appointees prior to appointment. Current Federal Law Enforcement Employees:To be eligible for secondary law enforcement retirement coverage, you must have completed the mandatory training courses "Introduction to Correctional Techniques, Phase I and Phase II." If these courses have not been completed, you are not eligible for secondary law enforcement retirement coverage, but you may still be considered for a non-law enforcement position. If you are not currently employed by the Bureau of Prisons, you must submit training records demonstrating completion of Phase I and Phase II to your hiring Human Resources office prior to appointment. Individuals under FERS or CSRS who have not completed three years of primary law enforcement coverage will not receive law enforcement retirement coverage in this position. To regain coverage, individuals must return to a position with primary law enforcement retirement coverage. Required Documents

  1. Resume: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages showing all relevant experience. Your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date.
  2. Provide certification of OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program, (for graduates of SES Candidate Development Programs).
  3. You MUST submit a copy of your latest yearly performance appraisal/evaluation.
  4. Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) Form which reflects the most recent position, title, series and grade; competitive service appointment; tenure group; status or SES reinstatement eligibility.
  5. All applicants must address the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) within the two (2) page resume.
Failure to provide these documents will result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.

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. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment.

All required supporting documentation MUST be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Required supporting documentation must be submitted via USAJOBS (uploaded).

Contact for Assistance in Applying On-Line: BOP-HRM-SES-S@bop.gov



Have Questions?

Looking for a job or looking to hire? We're here to help! Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Justia Legal Jobs.