Correctional Program Specialist (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

• In the total specialty area of firearms training, responsible for thorough coverage of subject matter areas in a constantly changing discipline. Plans, designs, develops, organizes, schedules and coordinates training courses of a technical nature in assigned areas, including: weapons handling, firearms policies, shotgun stress, judgement pistol shooting courses, decision/reaction courses, firearms violations, instructor training school, theory and techniques of marksmanship, and others. When feasible, assures that task analyses are made, that each mode to be taught contains specific related objectives, and that the transfer of objectives into the specific technical skills, concepts and facts to be taught are thoroughly carried out. Responsible for assisting other Federal agencies conducting firearms programs at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). Must have a thorough familiarity of the weapons and policies of these agencies to assist in the overall operation of the classes.

Qualifications

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. OR 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: GS-11: - 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. OR 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. AND Selective Placement Factor: GS-11 and GS-12: Applicants applying for this position, MUST also possess the following Selective Placement Factor. In the event you do not possess the Selective Factors, you will be found ineligible for the position. - 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.**

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

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. 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 09/21/2026. If applicable see Notice for Preference Eligible Veterans Applicants 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 09/21/2026. 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.