ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Federal Prison Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Disability Justice

Internship Opportunities

Denver, CO · On-site

As Colorado's Protection and Advocacy System, we use our federal authority to root out discrimination, abuse, and neglect-from schools to prisons, nursing homes to voting booths. For more information ...

Boulder County

Hourly Client Specialist

Boulder, CO · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

... federal, state or local statue, such as Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), and for emergency response, standard evacuation procedures and administration of lifesaving techniques such as ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFederal Prison JobsFederal Prison Jobs in Colorado

Federal Prison information

See Colorado salary details

$31K

$62.1K

$92K

How much do federal prison jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal prison in Colorado is $62,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,500.00 and $71,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are federal prisons?

Federal prisons are correctional facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in the United States. They house individuals who have been convicted of violating federal laws, as opposed to state laws. Federal prisons vary in security levels, from minimum to high security, and are located throughout the country. Inmates may be incarcerated for offenses such as drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, or other federal crimes. These facilities provide incarceration, rehabilitation, and various programs to inmates.

What are federal prison jobs?

Federal prison jobs include a wide variety of positions focused on overseeing and providing services to inmates. Aside from the well-known correctional officer and guard positions, federal prisons also employ dentists, nurses, psychologists, physicians, secretaries, electronic technicians, and many other professionals. What all of these careers have in common is that they're government jobs, so you must uphold the expectations of justice, respond to orders from a court, and otherwise provide a high standard of care and service for each inmate. Outside of the government, some federal prison workers come from non-profit organizations. For example, you can find prison chaplain positions through religious non-profit groups.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a federal correctional officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Correctional Officer, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, and knowledge of security procedures. Familiarity with surveillance systems, incident reporting software, and emergency response protocols is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, stress management, and conflict-resolution abilities help officers handle challenging situations and maintain safety. These skills ensure the security of the facility, the well-being of inmates and staff, and the effective enforcement of regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by correctional officers working in federal prisons?

Correctional officers in federal prisons often encounter challenges such as managing inmate behavior, ensuring safety and security within the facility, and maintaining professionalism under stressful conditions. They may also face emotionally demanding situations, including conflict resolution and responding to emergencies. Building effective communication skills and teamwork with other officers and staff is essential to handle these challenges and foster a safe environment for both inmates and personnel.

What is the difference between Federal Prison vs Correctional Officer?

AspectFederal PrisonCorrectional Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED; background check; security clearanceHigh school diploma or GED; training certification; background check
Work EnvironmentSecure federal facility housing inmatesSupervises inmates within correctional facilities
Employer & IndustryFederal Bureau of PrisonsFederal, state, or private correctional facilities
Job RoleOversees inmate management, security, and facility operationsMonitors inmate behavior, enforces rules, and maintains safety

While a Federal Prison is a secure facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a Correctional Officer is the professional responsible for supervising inmates within such facilities. Correctional Officers work inside federal prisons to ensure safety, security, and order. The roles are closely linked, with correctional officers being essential staff within federal prisons.

How to work in a federal prison?

To work in a federal prison, candidates typically need to apply through the Federal Bureau of Prisons, meet specific eligibility requirements, pass background checks, and complete required training. Positions may include correctional officer, administrative staff, or healthcare worker, often requiring relevant certifications or experience. Applicants should be prepared for a structured environment and shift work, including nights and weekends.
More about Federal Prison jobs

What are popular job titles related to Federal Prison jobs in Colorado?

For Federal Prison jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Federal Prison jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Federal Prison jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Federal Prison jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Federal Prison job openings:

Federal Prison jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Prison job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,118 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Correctional Treatment Specialist (Special Population Program Coordinator)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Florence, CO • On-site, Remote

$76K - $99K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 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
Help
Functions as a Special Population Program Coordinator within the secure confines of a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) federal correctional facility
Provides comprehensive clinical psychological services to inmates who are members of a special population in an effort to help inmates address issues specific to the special population of which they are a member.
Performs duties consistent with the identified target population.
Provides group and individual counseling to inmates who are members of a targeted special population.
Assist in community/reentry planning to address special population needs which may include residential reentry center placement, community treatment services, hospital placements, street releases or coordinating with the United States Probation Office.
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
Help
Conditions of employment
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 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

Qualifications
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 Basic Requirements above, you must have:
Education:
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:
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 qualifications to perform successfully 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:
  • Experience with trauma informed process facilitation: helping the thinking of the group; providing space for open communication; understanding flexible vs. linear leadership; and identifying and encouraging individual insights.
  • Experience designing and planning trauma informed objectives of group sessions, setting the context and expectations, monitoring the efficiency of the group process and adjusting as necessary, designing group process to match individual participant needs, and selecting the proper facilitation techniques.
  • Experience identifying underlying participant conflicts and using tension within the group process.

OR
Combination of Education and Experience:
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.
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.**
Education
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.
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.
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.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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.

Apply