FCI McKean (Training Instructor) Jobs August 2026

Job Overview

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is hiring a Training Instructor at FCI McKean in McKean, Pennsylvania, to deliver vocational and apprenticeship training in custodial services. This full-time, permanent position is graded at GS-9 or GS-11 and pays $63,780 to $97,087 per year. As a Training Instructor, you will develop and implement curriculum, coordinate apprenticeship programs, and provide classroom instruction to incarcerated individuals, helping prepare them for successful reentry into the community. This role is open to all U.S. Citizens and requires a current industry-recognized custodial services credential.

The application deadline is August 24, 2026. This is a delegated examining announcement open to all U.S. Citizens, and telework is not available.

Qualification

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements and the specialized experience or education for the grade level you are applying for. You must also meet the selective placement factor, which requires a current custodial services credential and relevant work experience.

• Basic Requirement: Major study in education or a subject area related to the position, OR specialized experience demonstrating practical knowledge of the subject area and instructional methods.
• GL-09: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or LL.B. or J.D. if related.
• GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or LL.M. if related.
• GL-09 Specialized Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, such as developing curriculum and individualized learning plans, assisting in developing programs for students from varying backgrounds in a correctional setting, or following standardized curricula.
• GS-11 Specialized Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, such as teaching with full responsibility for classroom instruction, supervising or administering a training program, or working in the subject-matter field requiring regular training or instruction of others.
• Selective Placement Factor (GL-09): Current, valid industry-recognized custodial services credential (e.g., ISSA, CMI, CCT, CCS, GBAC Fundamentals) and at least two years of verifiable custodial services experience within the past four years.
• Selective Placement Factor (GS-11): Current, valid industry-recognized custodial services credential and at least three years of verifiable custodial services experience within the past five years, plus one year of experience developing and delivering instructional activities for custodial services students.
• Combination of education and experience may be qualifying for GL-09 and GS-11.

Who Can Apply

• Open to the public - U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) - Federal employees whose job, agency, or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves as a training instructor in a vocational or occupational training program in the Education Department of a Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional facility.
• May serve as program coordinator for other vocational/occupational training programs.
• Selects and/or develops curriculums focusing on the appropriate vocational training area.
• Delivers classroom training for vocational and apprenticeship courses in the field/trade of Custodial Services.
• Develops a curriculum design and record-keeping system to organize and track student progress.
• Ensures training programs are implemented and delivered in compliance with Bureau policies, Department of Labor, and Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training regulations.
• Serves as apprenticeship program coordinator, coordinating various occupational training programs and classes, including development, review, and evaluation of the vocational trades program.

Conditions & Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must meet Selective Service requirements.
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid industry-recognized custodial services credential as specified in the selective placement factor.
• Must clearly address the selective factor in your resume and upload required documentation (licensure, certification, transcripts) at the time of application.
• This position is not telework eligible and is not remote.
• Full-time work schedule, permanent appointment.

Benefits

• Complete benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.
• Eligibility depends on position type and work schedule.

How You Will Be Evaluated

1. Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures.
2. Based on your responses to the assessment questions, you will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified.
3. Applications are reviewed from the top-quality category.
4. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your assessment responses.
5. Veterans' preference eligibles receive selection priority within each category.
6. If you are selected, you may be contacted for an interview; you must telephone the Human Resource Department during normal business hours to schedule.
7. Final job offer expected within 80 days after the closing date.

Required Documents

• Resume (limited to 2 pages) including your name, contact information, and relevant experience with start/end dates (MM/YYYY) and hours worked per week.
• College transcripts (if using education to qualify) - must include school name, student name, degree, and date awarded.
• Veterans' Preference Documentation: DD-214, SF-15, and supporting documents if claiming 10-point preference.
• SF-50 for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.
• Proof of ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, if applicable.
• Professional certification/license (e.g., custodial services credential) - must be uploaded at the time of application.

How to Apply

1. Read the entire announcement and all instructions before beginning your application.
2. Click the Apply Online button on the official application portal.
3. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
4. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date (08/24/2026).
5. If required to complete USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application; the notification will include your unique assessment access link and completion deadline.

Additional Information

• For questions about this announcement, contact the Consolidated Staffing Unit at 972-352-4200 or [email protected]. Applicants will be notified via email to the address registered in the official application portal. If you are relying on education to qualify, ensure the institution is accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education mus…

About Company

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is part of the U.S. Department of Justice and is responsible for the custody and care of federal inmates. FCI McKean is a federal correctional institution located in McKean, Pennsylvania, that provides vocational and educational programs to support inmate rehabilitation and reentry. FCI McKean is named as the hiring organisation for the Training Instructor post.