Correctional Program Officer (Unit Manager)
Department of Justice
Summary
Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Duties
- The Unit Manager performs a major role in the planning, development, administration and evaluation of a unit program for incarcerated federal offenders.
- Must have broad understanding of the field of criminology and corrections, must display management skills in the administration of a treatment program, and must have a comprehensive knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior.
- Directs and manages a housing unit within a federal correctional institution and is responsible for the total administration of the unit as well as the planning, development and implementation of individual programs tailored to meet the particular needs of inmates in the unit.
- 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): 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 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 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.
- Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must complete all assessment questions to be rated under the established ranking criteria.
- EEO Statement/Policy: The.
- 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.
Education
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.
Required Documents
Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:
- 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.
- 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.).
About this role
The Correctional Program Officer (Unit Manager) position with the Department of Justice is based in Seatac, Washington. Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. The role pays $100,602 to $130,786 per year.
Day to day, the work involves the Unit Manager performs a major role in the planning, development, administration and evaluation of a unit program for incarcerated federal offenders. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what federal law enforcement and security experience this Correctional Program Officer (Unit Manager) position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Correctional Program Officer (Unit Manager) position with the Department of Justice in Seatac, Washington, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
At $100,602 to $130,786 per year, this is a mid-to-senior role where a precisely tailored application matters most. Because it is a supervisory or senior position, expect experienced candidates and a strong emphasis on a documented leadership and performance record. Based in Seatac, Washington, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 9, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
