Correctional Program Specialist (Firearms Instructor)

Bureau of Prisons / Federal Prison System; Glynco (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Prisons is seeking a Firearms Instructor at the GS-11/12 level in Georgia to support correctional programs and inmate supervision. The role emphasizes supervision, training, and writing materials related to firearms safety and policy within a federal prison setting.

Applicants must meet education and experience requirements, including specialized experience in correctional environments and a current firearms instructor certification, with evidence of ability to coordinate trainings

Qualifications

• Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Experience in correctional programs and working with inmates and staff.
• Ability to supervise or administer duties and direct a correctional program.
• Experience developing instructional materials and training activities.
• Knowledge of correctional policies, procedures and facility operations.
• Experience planning and coordinating firearms training and updating curricula.
• Experience observing students and modifying lessons to improve performance.

Skills

Correctional program experience

Supervisory/administrative duties

Inmate and staff interaction

Training coordination

Firearms instructor certification

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 graduate years leading to such degree

Graduate education in correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, sociology

GS-12: no substitution for education for this level

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-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
• Graduate Education: Major study - correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or other fields related to the position.
• GS-12: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this level.

Experience: GS-11 and GS-12

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 a 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 assisting with instructional materials including lesson plans and audio-visual aids and knowledge of how to operate common audio-visual equipment such as flipcharts to make presentations and slide, movie and overhead projectors.
• Experience assisting with the coordination of training activities and a knowledge of basic training techniques, skills and mythologies.
• Experience developing a basic familiarity with weapons in a non-professional employment setting and knowledge of proper and safe use of firearms.

GS-12

• Experience in planning, designing, developing, organizing, scheduling, and coordinating firearms training, which may have included weapons handling, firearms policies, shotgun stress, judgment pistol shooting courses, decision/ reaction courses, theory and techniques of marksmanship, and others.
• Experience in modifying or updating local firearms training based on classroom evaluations or changes in procedures, policies or course materials/aids.
• Experience observing students, identifying needs and making necessary modifications to lessons or methods of instruction which will enhance the students' performance.

Combination of Education and Experience

GS-11 only: A combination of education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

Selective Placement Factor

• Applicant must be a current Firearms Instructor with training provided through a Federal Law Enforcement Agency.

NOTE:

All applicants must submit proof of their current certification as a Firearms Instructor.

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.**