Functions as a Drug Abuse Treatment Specialist (DATS) within a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) federal correctional facility.
Provides direct services, individual therapy and/or group counseling, drug education, residential and/or non-residential treatment services which focuses on the rational behavioral therapy model of drug abuse treatment and criminality.
Responsible for the education of prison staff about drug abuse, drug abuse treatment and the local prison program.
Administers eligibility and psycho-social assessments as the basis for individual treatment planning.
Attends meetings with supervisors, other drug treatment DATSs, the unit team, etc., to share information, knowledge, ideas, and recommendations for the drug abuse treatment participant.
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.
- U.S. Citizenship is Required.
- See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
- Selective Service Requirement: http://www.sss.gov
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:
- 1. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
- 2. Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
- 3. 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.
NOTE: Applicants claiming CTAP or ICTAP eligibility must complete all assessment questions to be rated under the established ranking criteria.
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: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience - that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences, and that provided applicants with knowledge of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a 4-year degree as shown in A above.
Evaluation of Education - Courses, such as sociology, correctional administration, criminal justice, government/political science, psychology, social work, counseling, and other related social or behavioral science courses may be used to satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement.
Evaluation of Experience - Experience must have been gained in (1) casework in a correctional institution or in another criminal justice setting; (2) counseling in any setting, provided it required diagnostic or treatment planning skills to achieve specific social or occupational goals; or (3) work treating persons in need of social rehabilitation.
AND
In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirements above, all applicants must have the following:
Education:
GL-09: Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11: Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
Graduate Education must have been in corrections or a related field, such as criminal justice, sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, or other course work related to the position.
OR
Experience:
GL-09 and GS-11: You must have 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 knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position, and must typically be in or related to the position to be filled.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are:
GL-09:
- Experience in developing and providing multi-session presentations or lectures to groups.
- Experience in preparing reports which required analyzing data from multiple sources.
- Experience in providing group and individual substance abuse treatment services in a correctional population.
- Experience developing discharge reports and follow-up treatment for inmates who are releasing to the community.
GS-11:
- Experience performing comprehensive evaluations on substance abusers.
- Experience conducting assessments and testing instruments as needed or recommended by the Drug Abuse Treatment Coordinator.
- Experience utilizing cognitive behavioral treatment techniques.
- Experience in developing substance abuse treatment plans for offenders or individuals in a drug treatment program.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
GL-09 and GS-11: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade may be combined with experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.
AND
Selective Factors: Applicants applying for this position, MUST possess one of the following Selective Factors. In the event you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for this position.
GL-09:
- 12 semester hours of graduate course work in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work including three (3) semester hours as an intern/practicum student in a clinical treatment setting.
OR
- 12 months, full-time, professional experience in treating (i.e., developing treatment plans, conducting individual and group therapy) individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
GS-11:
- 24 semester hours of graduate course work in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work including six (6) semester hours as an intern/practicum student in a clinical treatment setting.
OR
- 24 months, full-time, professional experience in treating (i.e., developing treatment plans, conducting individual and group therapy) individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
NOTE: All applicants must clearly address this professional experience in their resume to be found qualified.
If applicable, credit will be given for paid or 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.**
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.
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.
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.
Imagine a career where job security, regular advancement and law enforcement benefits, meant you might get to retire early in 20-25 years. All of this and more is available to you, when you choose a rewarding career at the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Visit: www.bop.gov to learn more about law enforcement benefits, competitive pay and generous vacation leave.
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:
GL-09 and GS-11:
- Ability to conduct group and individual counseling.
- Knowledge of psychological problems associated with drug addiction.
- Ability to communicate in writing.
- Ability to communicate orally.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
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: (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) and the character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and (3) 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.
For more help, visit USAJOBS Help Center - What should I include in my resume?
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.
