Clinical Psychologist (Chief Psychologist)

Summary

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

Duties

Reviews all completed studies, research documents and a variety of other reports. Maintains an ongoing awareness of organizational development, modern correctional practices and various management concepts as it relates to the psychology department. Provides professional opinion to executive staff on troubled and disruptive inmates, such as disciplinary or segregation cases, those with histories of habituating substance abuse, those with exhibiting signs of depression, and those experiencing situational crises. Manages the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and also provides assessment and referral to professional resources in the community for employees on an as needed basis. Provides professional supervision to the staff in the Psychology Services department. Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

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 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. Selective Service Requirement

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following: Basic Requirements: Satisfactory completion of all the requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology is required. NOTE: Applicants may have received this degree in either clinical or counseling psychology. AND In addition to the basic requirements, you must have: Education: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position. Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position, and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled. Some examples of the qualifying experience are: Experience in consulting with management officials or unit staff on classification of inmates displaying possible emotional problems and formulating treatment programs. Experience in managing the suicide prevention program including investigating all suicide attempts and self-mutilation gestures, reviewing completed psychological autopsy reports and recommending changes in the overall program. Experience in managing the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and providing assessment and referral to professional resources in the community for employees on an as needed basis. AND Selective 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 hold a full, current and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia. NOTE: All applicants must electronically upload copy of their license at the time you apply. The documentation provided MUST show the expiration date of the license. Failure to provide this documentation will result in loss of consideration for this position. 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.**

Evaluations

Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Based upon your responses to the assessment questions during the application process, your application will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Applications will be reviewed from the top-quality category. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are found qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to the responses you provided on the online assessment. NOTE: Candidates within the top-quality category and who are eligible for veterans' preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veteran's preference you are claiming on your resume. Although veterans' preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under "How You Will Be Evaluated", veterans preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). As noted above, an agency may not select a non-preference eligible in lieu of a preference eligible in the same category unless there are grounds for a passover and the agency has complied with the passover procedures at 5 U.S.C. § 3318(b). What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position? The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required: GS12: Decision Making GS12: Managing Human Resources GS12: Psychology GS12: Therapy and Counseling GS13: Decision Making GS13: Managing Human Resources GS13: Psychology GS13: Therapy and Counseling

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/13051612 How do I Apply for this Position if I am a Current Public Health Service Commissioned Officer? If you are a current Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Officer, you may apply using one of the two options below depending on whether you are applying as a PHS officer or seeking to enter the competitive service. Option 1: Apply as a Current Public Health Service Commissioned Officer (Not Entering Competitive Service) Submit a complete/detailed resume or curriculum vitae. Limit your resume to 2 pages. If the only resume(s) received is/are longer than two pages, your application is ineligible for further consideration. Address selective factor(s), if required. Resume or curriculum vitae must contain all information listed in the Qualifications Section. Submit supporting documents (transcripts, certification, registration, license, if applicable). Your completed application packet must be submitted directly to the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.m. EST on 09/08/2026 of the vacancy announcement. Packet must be E-mailed to BOP-HRM-HRSC-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-s@bop.gov. 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 online. Option 2: Apply as a Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Seeking to Enter the Competitive Service If you wish to apply under competitive examining procedures, please follow the instructions provided at the beginning of this section.

Other information Although 5 U.S.C. 3307 established a maximum entry age for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institutions, applicants applying for this series can be considered at any age. An approved age waiver prior to entry on duty is required. Age waivers are not required for: Applicants with prior federal law enforcement coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans. If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you must submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. Please refer to the Required Documents section for the appropriate documentation to submit to validate veteran eligibility. Special Conditions of Employment Section: Initial appointment to a supervisory/managerial position requires a one-year probationary period. The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation to meet the needs of the agency. Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to, and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check. All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm. Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques", three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required. Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate. NOTE: A 50% RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE WILL BE PAID TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT BONUSES. NOTE: A 25% RETENTION INCENTIVE WILL BE PAID TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION INCENTIVES.