Become a Leader in Public Safety: Supervisory Correctional Officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs

Are you an experienced law enforcement or corrections professional ready to transition into a leadership role? The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is seeking a dedicated, highly organized, and physically capable individual to fill the role of Supervisory Correctional Officer (GL-0007-09) at the District 5-Northern Cheyenne Detention facility in Lame Deer, Montana.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to direct essential security operations, mentor lower-graded staff, and ensure a safe and secure environment for employees, inmates, and visitors alike. If you are driven by public service, tribal sovereignty, and operational excellence, this career path provides competitive federal compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a platform for professional growth.

---

About the Agency: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

The BIA’s core mission is to enhance the quality of life, promote economic opportunities, and protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian Tribes, and Alaska Natives. The agency provides essential services directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts to 575 federally recognized tribes, representing a diverse population of approximately 2.5 million individuals.

While the BIA has evolved over the past several decades to emphasize self-governance and self-determination, tribes continue to look to the agency for critical public safety, law enforcement, and detention services. Working within the BIA Justice Services division means contributing to a vital social safety net, ensuring justice, security, and rehabilitation in tribal communities across the United States.

---

Job Responsibilities and Daily Duties

As a Supervisory Correctional Officer, you will serve as the first-line supervisor inside the Northern Cheyenne Detention facility. Your responsibilities span tactical security coordination, personnel management, administrative compliance, and public safety enforcement.

Key assignments in this role include:

• Personnel Supervision: Serving as a mentor and direct supervisor for a team of correctional officers. You will plan, direct, and oversee the execution of security protocols to maintain safety throughout the institution.
• Operational Inspections: Performing daily inspections of the facility to ensure all security, sanitation, safety, and operational standards are met and that institutional regulations are enforced.
• Inmate Safety and Welfare: Managing the care, custody, and security of the general inmate population, including those housed in special management units or designated programming areas.
• Incident Investigation: Leading investigations into prohibited inmate actions, such as contraband traffic, physical altercations, escape attempts, and general disturbances, and applying immediate, appropriate disciplinary and corrective actions.
• Transport Coordination: Supervising or directly executing the safe transfer of inmates to and from other facilities, court hearings, medical appointments, and localized community services.

---

Requirements and Qualifications

To qualify for this GL-09 level position, candidates must meet specific professional, medical, and administrative standards. Because this is a supervisory role with secondary law enforcement coverage, applicants must demonstrate both administrative aptitude and physical resilience.

Professional Experience

Applicants must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/GL-08 grade level in the federal service. This experience must demonstrate:

• Acting as a lead or mentor for lower-level correctional officers.
• Managing and directing the operational flow of a detention or correctional facility.
• Implementing facility policies, security procedures, and safety standards.

Secondary Law Enforcement Coverage Criteria

To maintain eligibility under secondary law enforcement coverage, candidates must:

1. Transfer directly from a federal primary/rigorous law enforcement position.
2. Have completed at least three years of service in a primary/rigorous position.
3. Have maintained continuous employment in secondary law enforcement positions since leaving the primary/rigorous role.

Physical and Medical Requirements

The demanding environment of a detention facility requires applicants to be in excellent physical and mental health. Specific requirements include:

• Physical Exertion: Ability to perform moderate to arduous physical work, including standing and walking for long periods, sometimes in inclement outdoor weather.
• Functional Mobility: Full integrity and mobility of fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.
• Vision: Good corrected or uncorrected vision in both eyes. Near vision must be sufficient to read standard typewriter-sized print.
• Hearing: Hearing loss measured via audiometer must not exceed 35 decibels at the 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels.
• Mental Stability: Demonstrated emotional stability to perform high-stress duties under trying and potentially hazardous conditions.

---

Salary Overview and Compensation Structure

The salary for this position is established under the GL-09 pay scale. New hires typically start at Step 1 of the grade, with periodic step increases based on acceptable performance and longevity.

Pay Grade	Minimum Annual Salary	Maximum Annual Salary	Location Coverage
GL-09	$65,545	$84,579	Lame Deer, Montana

Note: Depending on the agency needs and candidate qualifications, recruitment incentives or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moving expenses may be authorized to assist with relocation.

---

Comprehensive Federal Benefits

Joining the federal civil service comes with an outstanding benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance:

• Accelerated Annual Leave: New employees with relevant non-federal experience or military background may receive credit toward their service computation date, allowing them to earn annual leave at an accelerated rate from day one.
• Health and Life Insurance: Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program and Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI).
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes a defined benefit pension plan and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching up to 5%.
• Paid Time Off: Generous accrual of sick leave, annual vacation leave, and recognition of all federal holidays.

---

Application Tips and Resume Formatting Rules

Applying for a federal position requires strict adherence to procedural guidelines. The BIA enforces precise application standards for this vacancy. Failure to follow these rules will result in the immediate disqualification of your application.

1. Strict Two-Page Resume Limit: Your resume must not exceed two single-sided pages. Any page beyond the second page will not be read or evaluated by the HR specialist. Compress your history to highlight only relevant leadership and correctional experience.
2. Formatting Restraints: Use a minimum font size of 10-point for body text. Margins on all sides of the page must be at least 0.5 inches to prevent excessive compression.
3. Do Not Disguise Attachments: Do not attempt to bypass page limits by attaching extra sheets, cover letters, or supplemental documents disguised as resume extensions.
4. Detail Your Experience Clearly: Be precise with dates (Month/Year to Month/Year), weekly hours worked, civil service grades (if applicable), and supervisor contact information. BIA human resources will not make assumptions regarding your level of experience.
5. Indian Preference Documentation: If you are claiming Indian Preference, you must submit a completed and signed Form BIA-4432.
6. SF-50 Submission: Current and former federal employees must attach a copy of an SF-50 showing competitive tenure, series, and grade level to prove eligibility.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I submit my application materials via email?

No. The hiring agency does not accept any application materials, resumes, or supporting documents via email. All applications must be submitted online through the USAJOBS integration portal before the closing deadline.

Q2: What assessments are required for this role?

Candidates who meet the minimum criteria will undergo a structured resume review followed by a structured oral interview. These assessments evaluate core competencies such as Detention Leadership, Oral Communication, Public Safety and Security, Technical Competence, and Written Communication.

Q3: What is the significance of Lame Deer, Montana?

Lame Deer is the tribal headquarters of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Working at this location places you at the heart of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, offering a deep cultural connection and an opportunity to serve a close-knit community in southeastern Montana.

Q4: Is there a probationary period for this job?

Yes. First-time federal supervisors must serve a mandatory one-year supervisory probationary period. Successful completion of this period is required to finalize your appointment.

---

The role of Supervisory Correctional Officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Lame Deer, Montana, is more than just a job; it is an opportunity to lead with purpose, protect a dedicated community, and build a rewarding federal career. By managing safety operations at the Northern Cheyenne Detention facility, you will directly support the BIA's mission of promoting safety, justice, and self-governance across Indian Country. Gather your documents, tailor your two-page resume, and submit your application before the August 17, 2026 deadline to embark on this meaningful leadership journey.