Secretary (Unit Secretary)

JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS (DOJ); United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Prisons, part of the Department of Justice, is seeking a Secretary for a permanent, full-time role across nationwide locations. The position handles routine inquiries, supports office operations, and assists with document processing and travel scheduling.

Qualifications include education and experience levels for GL-05/06, a background in office administration, and the ability to maintain security and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Education: GL-05 requires four years of education beyond high school.
• Experience: at least one year of specialized experience for GL-05.
• GL-06: education not generally creditable above GL-05 unless related to work.

Responsibilities

• Handle routine inquiries from staff and inmates, provide technical assistance and answer questions.
• Receive visitors and direct them to appropriate staff or provide information as needed.
• Maintain security of the institution as a core responsibility of all staff.

Skills

Handling inquiries

Reception duties

Office coordination

Education

Four years of education above high school level (GL-05)

Education not creditable above GL-05 unless related (GL-06)

Tools

Office automation

Document processing

Scheduling travel/meetings

Job description

Summary

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

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026

Salary

: $49,739 to – $82,429 per year The salary range for this announcement reflects Rest of US GL-05/01 @ $49,739 to highest GL-06/10 San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA @ $82,429.

Location

Prisons – Nationwide

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Appointment type: Permanent

Work schedule: Full-time

Service: Competitive

Job family (Series): 0318 Secretary

Security clearance: Other

Drug test: Yes

Announcement number: BOP-N-2026-0011

Control number: 847139100

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Clarification from the agency

THIS IS A DELEGATED EXAMINING ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS.

Duties

Handles routine inquiries from both staff and inmates, providing technical assistance and answering questions regarding the general nature of correctional programs. Receives visitors to the office, determines the nature of the requests and directs them to the appropriate staff or personally provides the information desired when routine or procedural matters of the office are involved. Reviews correspondence prepared for the supervisor and other staff. Assists the Unit Manager and staff members in the procedural aspects of expediting the work of this office. Maintains security of the institution as a core responsibility shared by all staff.

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship is Required. See Special Conditions of Employment Section. Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply 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: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

NOTE: Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must complete all assessment questions to be rated under the established category rating criteria.

Qualifications

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

Education:

GL-05: Four years of education above high school level in any field; graduate education may be credited in limited instances.

GL-06: Education not generally creditable above GL-05 unless directly related to the work.

Experience:

GL-05: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples include: preparing, receiving, reviewing and verifying documents; processing transactions and maintaining office records; locating and compiling data from files.

GL-06: Experience receiving telephone calls and visitors, handling requests for information, editing and composing letters and reports, transcribing notes, performing office automation duties, scheduling and coordinating meetings and travel, and performing time and attendance functions.

Combination of Education and Experience: See above for GL-05. One full academic year of study beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

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

Education

See Qualifications section for education requirements. If applicable, upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Foreign education information is provided via the U.S. Department of Education guidance.

Additional information

AGE REQUIREMENTS: Maximum entry age of 36 for initial appointment. Qualified veteran preferences may apply. Length of eligibility: eligible applicants remain on the inventory until the closing date.

NOTE: This announcement is posted on a yearly cycle. The announcement will EXPIRE on the listed closing date. Applicants must reapply to the new vacancy announcement to receive consideration.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position and whether it is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) details are provided for specific locations. See the full notice for details.

Required documents

Required Documents and Submission Instructions. Failure to submit all required documents may affect eligibility or preference. Documentation should be uploaded electronically and include identifying information. See the full vacancy notice for the required documents list and submission deadlines.

Agency contact information

Lamont Easter

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS, Consolidated Staffing Unit, 346 Marine Forces Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75051, United States

Next steps

Applicants will receive a Notice of Results once the application is successfully completed and submitted. The status of the application process can be tracked by logging into your USAJOBS account and selecting Application Status. Applications remain on file until the closing date. For location-specific vacancies, contact the relevant office.

The Bureau of Prisons cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or applicant errors.