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Warden Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Warden

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$113K - $146K/yr

OR Two years as a Deputy Warden. Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included the specific experience. NOTE:

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Warden information

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

High-level executive roles such as CEOs, investment bankers, and certain specialized surgeons can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and leadership responsibilities, and compensation may include bonuses, stock options, or profit sharing.

What is the difference between Warden vs Correctional Officer?

AspectWardenCorrectional Officer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree and administrative experienceHigh school diploma or equivalent; training programs
Work EnvironmentAdministrative setting within a prison or jailDirect supervision within correctional facilities
Employer & IndustryPrison/jail administration, government agenciesCorrectional facilities, law enforcement agencies
Primary ResponsibilitiesOverseeing facility operations, staff managementMonitoring inmates, enforcing rules, maintaining security

While both Warden and Correctional Officer work within correctional facilities, Wardens hold administrative leadership roles overseeing entire operations, whereas Correctional Officers focus on inmate supervision and security on the ground.

What Is a Warden?

A warden, sometimes called a prison warden, works in the corrections or justice industry and focuses on upholding the law and facilitating corrections. In this career, your duties include managing the staff and determining when it’s time to hire more personnel. Wardens must also ensure the safety and security of both the inmates, staff, and outside public. You can use your skills in personal development and management to initiate rehabilitation programs. You must also have experience and qualifications in managing funds and making budgets stretch.

What are some common challenges wardens face in managing staff and inmate relations?

Wardens often navigate the complex task of maintaining a safe and secure environment while fostering positive relationships between staff and inmates. Challenges may include addressing staff burnout, preventing conflicts, ensuring clear communication, and implementing rehabilitation programs effectively. Successful wardens prioritize transparency, ongoing training, and fair disciplinary practices to build trust and maintain order within the facility. Regular collaboration with correctional officers, counselors, and administrative staff is essential for overcoming these challenges.

What does a warden do for a job?

A warden is responsible for overseeing the safety, security, and operations of a facility such as a prison, wildlife reserve, or park. They enforce rules, supervise staff and inmates or visitors, and ensure compliance with regulations, often requiring security training or certifications. The role involves monitoring activities, responding to emergencies, and maintaining order within the environment.

How do you become a warden?

To become a warden, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant experience in corrections or law enforcement, and often must pass background checks and training programs. Some positions may require additional certifications or a degree in criminal justice or a related field.

What degree do you need to be a warden?

A warden typically needs at least a high school diploma or equivalent; however, some positions may require a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field. Relevant experience, training, and certifications are also important for law enforcement or correctional wardens.

What are wardens?

Wardens are individuals who are responsible for overseeing the management and security of specific facilities, such as prisons, wildlife reserves, or college dormitories. Their duties typically include supervising staff, ensuring that rules and regulations are followed, maintaining safety and order, and sometimes coordinating rehabilitation or conservation programs. The specific responsibilities of a warden depend on the setting in which they work, but all wardens play a key role in maintaining the safety and security of people, animals, or property under their care.

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

To thrive as a Warden, you need a solid background in criminal justice, correctional facility procedures, and staff management, usually supported by a relevant degree and significant correctional experience. Familiarity with security systems, incident reporting software, and regulatory compliance standards is essential. Leadership, conflict resolution, and sound decision-making are crucial soft skills for maintaining order and safety. These competencies ensure effective facility management, staff coordination, and the safety of both inmates and personnel.
What cities are hiring for Warden jobs? Cities with the most Warden job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Warden jobs? The most popular types of Warden jobs are:
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What states have the most Warden jobs? States with the most job openings for Warden jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Warden jobs? For Warden jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Warden job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Secretary (Associate Warden's Secretary)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Estill, SC • On-site, Remote

$57K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 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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Receives visitors, determines the nature of the requests, personally providing the information desired when it is of a routine or procedural matter, before referring them to the Associate Warden.
Maintains supervisor's calendar, takes request for appointments with supervisor and staff.
Serves as a liaison to the Associate Warden, personally processing requests.
Responsible for the preparation in draft and/or final form of material such as memoranda, letters, reports, requests, etc., as assigned.
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
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Conditions of employment
  • 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.
Qualifications
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:
Education:
As a general rule, education is not creditable above GL-05 for most positions covered by this standard; however, graduate education may be credited in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of 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 in following up on committee actions where indicated, including typing and distributing committee docket sheets, processing committee actions, and distributing copies to all concerned.
  • Experience in scheduling and confirming a supervisor's appointments, special events and conferences and ensuring that the supervisor is fully briefed on the matters to be considered before the scheduled meeting in addition to resolving conflict in schedules whenever feasible.
  • Experience in serving as an advisor/mentor to other institution secretaries on procedural matters such as correct procedures to follow in preparing correspondence.
  • Experience in managing the institution's congressional response file, to include receiving all congressionals, identifying appropriate official responsible for response, suspending each congressional and following-up on late responses and proofing responses before forwarding to supervisor for review.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in 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. 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.
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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.