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Correctional Program Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Correctional Program Specialist information

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$26.5K

$71.1K

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How much do correctional program specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for correctional program specialist in the United States is $71,144.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying job in corrections?

In corrections, senior management roles such as Warden or Director of Corrections tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often advanced degrees or certifications in criminal justice or public administration.

What are some typical challenges faced by a Correctional Program Specialist, and how can new hires effectively navigate them?

Correctional Program Specialists often encounter challenges such as managing diverse inmate populations, balancing security protocols with rehabilitation efforts, and adapting to policy changes. New hires can navigate these challenges by building strong communication skills, staying up-to-date on correctional best practices, and collaborating closely with correctional officers, counselors, and external agencies. Proactive problem-solving and a commitment to ethical standards are also key to successfully supporting rehabilitation programs and ensuring facility operations run smoothly.

What does a program specialist do?

A Correctional Program Specialist develops, implements, and monitors rehabilitation and educational programs for inmates or offenders. They assess program effectiveness, ensure compliance with regulations, and collaborate with staff to support offender rehabilitation and community safety. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential in this role.

What Is a Correctional Program Specialist?

As a correctional program specialist, sometimes called a case manager, you develop, revise, and evaluate a correctional program and its procedures and guidelines while offering recommendations to improve policies. Your responsibilities include conducting research, identifying problems, determining the best ways to solve each issue, and writing detailed reports on your conclusions. These treatments are most often for an inmate released from prison or a patient in rehabilitation or psychological treatment. You may collaborate with various community services such as education and health when working with inmates. Other duties include performing administrative tasks and maintaining records of program operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Correctional Program Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Correctional Program Specialist, you need a background in criminal justice or social work, experience with case management, and often a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with offender management systems, data entry software, and risk assessment tools is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and the ability to motivate and communicate effectively with diverse populations are essential soft skills. These competencies are vital for developing, implementing, and evaluating rehabilitation programs that promote offender success and maintain institutional safety.

What degree do you need to be a correctional treatment specialist?

Correctional treatment specialists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or a related field. Some positions may require a master's degree or additional certifications, especially for advanced or supervisory roles. Relevant skills include knowledge of correctional programs and case management.

What are Correctional Program Specialists?

Correctional Program Specialists are professionals who develop, implement, and evaluate rehabilitation and treatment programs within correctional facilities. They work to ensure that inmates have access to educational, vocational, and therapeutic services aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting successful reentry into society. These specialists often collaborate with correctional officers, counselors, and external agencies to assess inmate needs and monitor program effectiveness. Their work is crucial in promoting a safer, more rehabilitative environment within the justice system.

What does a correctional specialist do?

A correctional specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring rehabilitation programs for inmates, ensuring compliance with regulations and safety standards. They often assess inmates' needs, coordinate services, and work with staff to support inmate reintegration into the community. Strong communication skills and knowledge of criminal justice are essential for this role.
What cities are hiring for Correctional Program Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Correctional Program Specialist job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Correctional Program Specialist jobs? The top employers for Correctional Program Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Correctional Program Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Correctional Program Specialist jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Correctional Program Specialist jobs? For Correctional Program Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Correctional Program Specialist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,144 per year, or $34.2 per hour.

Correctional Program Specialist (Senior Correctional Program Specialist)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$121K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Summary
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
Duties
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Coordinates and monitors the Victim Witness Program (VWP), Treaty Transfer Program (TTP), the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program (IFRP), and Congressional and Prisoner Mail Correspondence and related inquiries.
Handles inquires from law enforcement and correctional agencies concerning inmates confined within the Federal Prison System and responds to inquiries concerning Federal Prisons System policies, and procedures.
Provides assistance to other specialists in the section and is a primary resource for other staff pertaining to difficult and unique problems involving unit management related issues.
Works closely with Department of Justice (DOJ) and other interested parties in identifying and resolving unusual and complicated issues.
Responsible for providing technical guidance to the field and regional offices.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.

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.

NOTE: Applicants claiming CTAP 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.
Qualifications
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:
Education:
There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.
Experience:
You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is directly related experience that included substantial involvement with a correctional program and provided a thorough knowledge of correctional techniques, or experience in meeting and dealing with people that demonstrated the ability to work effectively with inmates and associates in a correctional environment.
Experience must have also demonstrated the ability to perform supervisory or administrative duties successfully. This includes (1) understanding the problems of custody, treatment, training, and release of inmates of penal or correctional institutions; (2) a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of an institution's internal policies, programs, regulations, and procedures; and (3) training subordinates, coordinating and directing activities and functions, evaluating performance of operations and the effectiveness of programs, and maintaining high standards or work objectives. This experience must have been gained in an administrative position, or in other positions that included the successful direction, or assistance in the direction of, an entire correctional program or a major phase of such a program.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are:
  • Experience in coordinating assignment as necessary with specialist in other sections of the division, the Department of Justice, or with other agencies.
  • Experience in offender issues, VWP, TTP, IFRP, and Congressional inquiries and trouble shoots, resolving some of the most difficult issues.
  • Experience in overseeing programs, policies, or procedures or assisting in planning, directing, coordinating and evaluating policies.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and 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.**
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.
Additional information
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.
The representative rate for this position is $133,964 per annum ($64.19 per hour).
Special Conditions of Employment Section:
The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation to meet the needs of the agency.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks.
The addresses listed on the USAJOBS account/resume must be the primary residence at the time of application. You may be required to provide proof of residence.
Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.
Although competitive and non-competitive applications are being accepted, the selecting official may elect to have only one group reviewed.
Current Federal Law Enforcement Employees:
A prerequisite of the secondary law enforcement position is the completion of the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II". If you have not completed the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II", you are ineligible for secondary law enforcement position(s) and coverage but may still be considered for a non-law enforcement position.
If you are not a current Bureau of Prisons employee, you must submit training records demonstrating you have completed the mandatory courses in "Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I and Phase II" to your hiring Human Resource office prior to appointment.
This is a secondary law enforcement coverage position. Individuals that DO NOT have three years of law enforcement coverage gained in a primary law enforcement position by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, will not be eligible for this position.
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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.
Benefits
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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.