Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Learn more about this agency
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
THIS IS A DELEGATED EXAMINING ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS. • Duty Location: USP Hazelton, WV Note: A 13% RETENTION INCENTIVE WILL BE PAID TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION BONUS. SELECTEE(S) MUST COMPLETE INITIAL 12 MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
Primary responsibility is to provide supervision and instruction to 25-30 inmate workers who are assigned the duties of cooks, butchers, bakers, dining and dish workers, vegetable preparation workers, and pot and pan washers.
Provides continual training to the inmate workers in order to update their knowledge in all phases of production, presentation, and sanitation of food items. Oversees the receiving, storing, and issue of all food and non-food items.
Responsible for security operations such as key control, yeast control, knife and blade control, inmate accountability and conducts routine contraband searches throughout the work area.
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.
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
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.
Applicants must have had sufficient training and experience to show their ability to perform the duties of the position.
Qualifications will be determined by comparing your application to the responses to the Applicant Assessment Questions against the guidelines found in the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, WS-7404 series.
To qualify for this position, you MUST meet the Barely Acceptable level on both screen-out elements (Ability to supervise) and (Aptitude for work with prisoners); receive at least one half of the total possible points; AND you must furnish detailed information on your resume to support your assessment responses to demonstrate that you clearly possess the experience and skills to successfully perform the duties of this position.
Failure to specifically identify skills in this field may result in your score being lowered or in your being found ineligible for this vacancy.
Level of Work:
Independently prepare all types of meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, fruits, sauces, and gravies for regular and modified diet menus.
Prepare, cook, season, and portion food for all meals by following standardized recipes.
Plan and prepare or coordinate the preparation of entire meals.
Make substitutions and adjustments in food preparation procedures and seasoning.
Skill and Knowledge:
Thorough knowledge of the full range of food preparation principles including the techniques and procedures necessary to develop new or revise current recipes.
Knowledge of procedures related to cooking in large quantities.
Cooks at this level are required to have a knowledge of special and modified diets such as high protein, low cholesterol, low fat, calorie restricted, and sodium restricted diets.
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.
Applicant must possess an approved Food Protection Manager Certification from a provider accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
NOTE: ALL applicants MUST electronically upload a copy of their certification at the time you apply. Applicants who fail to provide proof of certification will not receive consideration for this position.
Exceptions: Current BOP Employees in the Cook Supervisor, WS-7404, position will be considered to have met the selective factor for the position.
**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution.
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:
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.
Note: A 13% RETENTION INCENTIVE WILL BE PAID TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION BONUS. SELECTEE(S) MUST COMPLETE INITIAL 12 MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
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.
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.
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 veterans 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:
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Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
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Ability to Lead or Supervise
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Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
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Aptitude for Work with Prisoners
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Dexterity and Safety
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Knowledge of Materials
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Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
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Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13043674
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.
- SF-50: If you are a current/former federal government employee, you must provide an unredacted copy of your latest SF-50.
- 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.
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 on08/27/2026.
If applicable see Notice for Preference Eligible Veterans Applicants
Consolidated Staffing Unit
We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed.
Applicants will be notified via e-mail, to the e-mail address registered in USAJOBS. The referral certificate or list of eligibles will then be issued to the selecting official for further consideration.
The Human Resource Office may then contact you for an interview if they wish. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement. Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an inquiry of availability from the local Human Resource Department.
Applicants MUST telephone the Human Resource Department during normal business hours to schedule an interview. Failure to either return the form or contact the Human Resource Department may result in a loss of consideration for the position.
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$37.08 - $43.23 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WS 8
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
HAX-26-13043674
