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:
Be rated well-qualified for the position based on the competencies listed above; and submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy.
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
NOTE: In order to make a full and complete assessment of a candidate's work history for salary purposes, applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure detailed information on the following items is provided in their application.Candidates should provide clearly delineated information on:
- Scope of present practice, i.e., direct patient care, supervision of subordinates, national consultant, etc.
- Complexity of current practice, i.e., forensic evaluation, neuropsychiatry, etc.
- Specialized training, if any (addiction, dual diagnosis, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CPT), or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) training, psychosomatic fellowship training, etc.)
- Experience with special mental health programs, i.e., self-harm behaviors, etc.
- Primary (and secondary) board certification(s)
- Specific professional accomplishments, i.e., publications, university positions held, professional organization positions held, presentations, national psychiatry awards, etc.
- Multi-lingual capabilities as it relates to professional practice.
- Specific correctional psychiatry experience, if any.
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.
Basic Requirements:
Degree: Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or equivalent from a school in the United States or Canada. This degree must have been accredited by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association; Association of American Medical Colleges; Liaison Committee on Medical Education; Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Degree from Foreign Medical School: A Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a foreign medical school must provide education and medical knowledge equivalent to accredited schools in the United States. Evidence of equivalency to accredited schools in the United States is demonstrated by permanent certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, a fifth pathway certificate for Americans who completed pre-medical education in the United States and graduate education in a foreign country, or successful completion of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.
AND
Licensure: Applicants must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a Physician from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
NOTE: ALL applicants MUST electronically upload proof of current, active, full and unrestricted license as a Physician, and proof of successful completion of an accredited graduate training internship, fellowship, or residency program for verification at the time you apply.
AND
Graduate Training: Subsequent to obtaining a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, a candidate must have had at least 1 year of supervised experience providing direct service in a clinical setting, i.e., a 1-year internship or the first year of a residency program in a hospital or an institution accredited for such training. For purposes of this standard, graduate training programs include only those internship, residency, and fellowship programs that are approved by accrediting bodies recognized within the United States or Canada. Descriptions of such programs are described below.
An internship program involves broadly based clinical practice in which physicians acquire experience in treating a variety of medical problems under supervision (e.g., internal medicine, surgery, general practice, obstetrics-gynecology, and pediatrics). Such programs are in hospitals or other institutions accredited for internship training by a recognized body of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
A residency program involves training in a specialized field of medicine in a hospital or an institution accredited for training in the specialty by a recognized body of the American Medical Association (AMA), American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
A fellowship program involves advanced training (beyond residency training) in a given medical specialty in either a clinical or research setting in a hospital or an institution accredited in the United States for such training.
All qualified referred candidates will undergo a credentialing process. This process includes validation of examinations, licensure, education, internship and residency. Please electronically upload these documents along with your required supporting documentation at the time you apply.
AND
Additional Requirements:
GS-13: Applicant must have three years of graduate training in the specialty of the position to be filled (Psychiatry) OR equivalent experience and training.
GS-14: Applicant must have four years of graduate training in the specialty of the position to be filled (Psychiatry) OR equivalent experience and training.
GS-15: Applicant must have five years of graduate training in the specialty of the position to be filled (Psychiatry) OR equivalent experience and training.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are:
GS-13:
- Experience providing routine psychiatric treatment to patients.
- Experience knowing the mechanism of action, side effects, toxic nature and drug interactions of prescription medications.
- Experience in applying medical standards and regulations in assessing patient's condition and appropriate care.
- Experience preparing basic medical correspondence for various uses, such as physicals, referrals, and dictated history.
GS-14:
- Experience performing techniques, procedures and treatment planning for recurring or non-complicated cases.
- Experience in preparing reports for and/or testifies in the U.S. District Courts.
- Experience performing in a clinical setting where exposure to infectious and contagious disease is common.
- Experience providing a broad range of direct treatment services and by creating a psychological environment and climate conducive to rehabilitation of mentally ill offenders.
GS-15:
- Experience monitoring and evaluating quality of patient care in accordance with administrative policies and other regulatory agencies.
- Experience in providing clinical and administrative oversight to a specific area regarding key issues and potential solutions for services.
- Experience in making diagnoses and selecting and providing appropriate treatment for emergency medications or emergency consults.
- Experience in coordinating and providing training for a specific specialty.
- Experience making recommendations on matters of policy, procedures, training, personnel, and equipment as related to specific area of responsibility and expertise.
If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid work. 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.**
See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.
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.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION PREFERENCES:
In this announcement, you will be required to select at least one but not more than three preferred duty locations. These preferences help us understand your interest, but they cannot be guaranteed. Final duty assignments are determined by the Bureau's staffing needs, availability of positions, and funding. You may receive a final offer for a location outside your stated preferences. By applying, you acknowledge that you may be offered employment at a duty station outside of your preferred duty locations within the Bureau of Prisons and its nationwide mission requirements. To explore available BOP institutions and offices, please visit BOP Locations.
LENGTH OF ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible applicants will remain on the inventory until the closing date of the announcement.
NOTE: This announcement is posted on a yearly cycle. The announcement will EXPIRE on the listed closing date of 09/30/2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. In order to receive consideration for the next cycle, applicants MUST reapply to the new vacancy announcement.
SALARY RANGE:
The salary listed includes Special Salary Rates. See current pay scales for locality area for which you are applying. To view the current locality tables, visit OPM and search pay tables.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT SECTION:
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Nonforeign Area Cost-of-Living Allowances (COLA):
There is an 8.64% (of basic pay) Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) authorized for FDC Honolulu, HI, and a 2.49% for MDC Guaynabo, PR. See COLA and Locality Pay Rates in Nonforeign Areas for more information.
To contact a recruiter for further information, visit Medical Staffing and Recruitment. or visit our Medical Professionals page for more information.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous public notice. Given our continuing need for Psychiatric Medical Officers, we will routinely review application and refer for potential candidate's multiple times during the open period of the announcement.
We review all applications to verify they meet the basic qualifications for the position and grade level selected. Qualified candidates are then referred to the selecting official at their preferred locations for further consideration.
From the point of referral, the selecting official governs all aspects of the selection process. Candidates will be contacted directly by the hiring manager for interviews or final selection. Equal consideration will be given to all received applications.
Applications received under Direct Hire public notice may or may not result in a referral or selection.
Applicants will not be rated or ranked. Veteran's Preference does NOT apply.
What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position?
The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required:
GS-13, GS-14 and GS-15:
- Knowledge of the pharmaceutical procedure to treat diseases and illness to include knowledge of the mechanism of action, side effects, toxic nature and drug interactions of medications.
- Ability to assess patients' condition and initiate appropriate treatment.
- Knowledge of medical standards and regulations.
- Ability to relate and deal effectively with physicians, supervisors, peers and others.
- Ability to communicate in writing, to include report preparation using technical data.
- Ability to perform current techniques, procedures and treatment plans associated with psychiatric medicine.
Failure to provide legible required documents and/or follow the prescribed format often results in removal from consideration. If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc. Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD-214, or Transcripts.
- Veterans' Preference Documentation:
- Failure to submit all required documents at the time of application will result in the loss of claimed preference eligibility.
- DD-214: Veterans MUST provide a DD-214 demonstrating that they have been discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions (i.e., the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge).
- SF-15: If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit:
- A completed Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" AND all required documentation identified on the SF-15.
- NOTE: A Department of Veterans Affairs letter must contain the Veteran's Name and Combined Service-Connected Evaluation. For a copy of the most current SF-15, Click Here.
- If you are on active duty and expect to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days, you may submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the appropriate Branch Personnel Office containing the following information:
- The military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and
- The character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and
- Any qualifying service/campaign/expeditionary medals.
- Resume (limited to 2 pages) must include your name, contact information, and relevant experience (cover letter optional). Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence of qualifying experience (e.g., a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF- 52, MOU, etc.). If providing a memorandum, it must follow the format below AND clearly cite the duties performed.
- To receive credit for experience, your resume and/or any satisfactory evidence must include:
- Start date and end date in month/year format (MM/YYYY) AND
- Number of hours worked per week.
- College transcript: includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree, and Date Awarded (if applicable).
- NOTE: If you are selected, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.
- SF-50: for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.
- Proof of ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Click Here, if applicable.
- Professional Certification/License
For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job?
We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
