Correctional Program Specialist (Supervisory Firearms Instructor)

Summary

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

Duties

• Determines specialty training needs for field employees based on mandatory training needs and completion of field-level prerequisites. Functions as a subject matter expert for institutions and regional and central offices regarding students, policies and procedures as they relate to firearms, for both instruction and implementation in the field. Advises institution-level Executive Staff when remedial training will result in extended student stays. Reviews all training curriculum as it relates to firearms or specialty training. Directs subordinate subject matter experts in area of specialty training conducted at the Staff Training Academy. Chairs or participates in national workgroups regarding advanced training initiatives. Functions as a liaison with Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO) and Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) regarding agency procedures. Recommends new training aids and techniques based on field and academy experience and research for incorporation into academy and institution instruction.

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements: Education: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position. Experience: 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 in supervision of assignments, directing and reviewing work of subordinates, evaluating work performance and identifying training needs. 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 observing students, identifying needs and making necessary modifications to lessons or methods of instruction which will enhance the students' performance. Experience developing policies and procedures as they to firearms for instruction and implementation in the field. AND Selective Placement Factors: The applicant must have experience associated with the operation of a Firearms Program for Law Enforcement Officers AND the applicant must be a current certified Firearms Instructor with training provided through a Federal Law Enforcement Agency and be able to provide instruction to other Law Enforcement Officers. NOTE: All applicants must clearly address the Selective Factors in their resume and any required documentation, i.e. certification, MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply. 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.**

Requirements

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: 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.

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.

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 09/08/2026. If applicable see Notice for Preference Eligible Veterans Applicants To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13052135 How do I Apply for this Position if I am a Military Spouse applying under the Special Hiring Authority? Military Spouses who meet the requirement of Executive Order 13832 must include the vacancy announcement number on all supporting documentation, as well as the appointing authority used. For more information Click Here. To be considered for this Special Hiring Authority, applicants must submit package to [email protected] including: Resume containing all information listed in the Qualifications Section (i.e. transcripts, certification, registration, and/or license, if applicable). A copy of spouse's DD-214 and/or orders verifying the military member's current active-duty status. Documentation confirming marriage to the service member. If applicable, a copy of documentation from either the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense indicating the service member possesses a disability rating of 100 percent due to a service-connected disability. Your completed application packet must be submitted to the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), on 09/08/2026. 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.