1

Correctional Program Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$74K/yr

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 ...

$106K/yr

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 ...

Showing results 21-40

Correctional Program Specialist information

See salary details

$26.5K

$71.1K

$116.5K

How much do correctional program specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 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 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?

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 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,144 per year, or $34.2 per hour.

Correctional Program Specialist (Contract Oversight Specialist)

Department of Justice

Nashville, TN โ€ข On-site

$89K/yr

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.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 conducting site inspections to ensure that potential contractors have demonstrated that potential facilities are appropriately zoned, environmentally sanitary/safe, and that all agency requirements are met.

  • Experience in communicating with community or agency officials while working with a contract ensuring that all individuals, groups, or agencies are informed of any significant programmatic or operational changes related to the contract.

  • Experience in designing, developing and conducting appropriate training based on specific needs as determined from indicator data reviews.

  • Experience in conducting contract compliance reviews for contracts, conducting assessment of level of contract compliance, determining the degree of risk, testing the adequacy of controls, and based on findings develop and implement methods to improve contractor performance.

  • Experience working with a variety of contracts, which frequently require special handling provisions or other specialized terms and conditions and knowledge of Federal Acquisitions Regulations and Bureau of Prisons contracting procedures.

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 applicationEducation: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.Employment Type: OTHER