Correctional Program Officer (Chief, Academy Division)

Bureau of Prisons / Federal Prison System; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bureau of Prisons in the United States seeks a senior training and leadership professional to guide correctional learning initiatives. The role emphasizes leadership development, curriculum design, and performance improvement across nationwide training programs for criminal justice professionals.

The position requires extensive experience in correctional education, policy development, and collaboration with national partners to advance learning outcomes and organizational development within

Qualifications

• Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Specialized experience related to correctional programs and working with inmates and staff in a correctional environment.
• Ability to perform supervisory or administrative duties, including understanding custody, treatment, training and release policies.
• Experience developing training curricula and evaluating correctional programs.
• Experience in evidence-based education and adult learning within corrections.

Skills

Leadership development

Training program design

Performance improvement

Policy development

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

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

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

Education:

GS-14 and GS-15: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Experience:

GS-14 and GS-15: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is directly related experience that included substantial involvement with a correctional program and provided thorough knowledge of correctional techniques, or experience in meeting and dealing with people that demonstrated the ability to work effectively with inmates and associates in a correctional environment.

Experience must have also demonstrated the ability to perform supervisory or administrative duties successfully. This includes (1) understanding the problems of custody, treatment, training, and release of inmates of penal or correctional institutions; (2) a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of an institution's internal policies, programs, regulations, and procedures; and (3) training subordinates, coordinating and directing activities and functions, evaluating performance of operations and the effectiveness of programs, and maintaining high standards or work objectives. This experience must have been gained in an administrative position, or in other positions that included the successful direction, or assistance in the direction of an entire correctional program or a major phase of such a program.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

• Experience with analyzing Federal, state or local correctional policies and procedures to recommend improvements in areas such as education, training and developmental needs for various levels of managers and supervisors to include Senior Level leaders.
• Experience in developing specialized training curricula to provide competency based performance and training programs for corrections professional.
• Experience in preparing a variety of written correspondence, reports, or program initiatives pertaining to the evaluation of training programs and policies of a correctional agency.
• Experience assisting correctional professionals in the development and support of evidence based education, adult learning programs, training programs, and other competency-focused interventions.

GS-15:

• Experience developing and providing policy, procedure, and practical guidelines for federal, state, and officials in administering and creating effective use of technology in support of learning, performance, learning management systems and training programs for the field of corrections.
• Experience establishing and maintaining contact with professional organizations focusing on learning, performance improvement, and training programs from the general fields of business administration, the public sector, human resource management and specifically corrections.
• Experience in training and development for the areas of leadership and management, work place performance enhancement, distance learning and cognitive behavioral programming.
• Experience utilizing technology in support of learning, performance, learning management systems and training programs for the field of corrections.

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.

Applicants must possess the following:

• Must have five (5) years of experience in an executive-level position within the field of corrections, with responsibilities directly related to leadership development, training, learning, and performance improvement for criminal justice professionals working in jails, prisons, and/or community supervisions. Executive experience may include leading a national, statewide, or agency-wide training division; serving as an Assistant/Deputy/Regional Director responsible for training and professional development; or serving as a Training Academy Director or equivalent within a corrections or criminal justice agency.

AND

• Must have five (5) years in a managerial or supervisory leadership capacity with responsibility for developing and implementing an organization's strategic training and learning agenda; managing annual budgets; overseeing grant development or training related funding initiatives; authoring reports on training outcomes and organizational performance; and designing, implementing, and evaluating large-scale training curricula, leadership programs, performance systems, and evidence-informed correctional practices across multiple operational settings. He/she must demonstrate experience integrating emerging research, adult learning principles, and innovative training methodologies to improve staff performance, operational effectiveness, and organizational culture.

AND

• Must also demonstrate the ability to build and sustain national partnerships and professional networks, collaborate effectively with various criminal justice stakeholders, and represent the organization through training initiatives, inter-agency collaborations, and national outreach. The candidate must have served as a subject matter expert in correctional leadership, training, or professional development on a council or other governing board, advisory committee, task force or professional work-group. Experience serving as a presenter or panelist at regional or national conferences focused on corrections, leadership development, training or workforce performance is required.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities. **Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**