Advance Your Career as a Clinical Psychologist with the Federal Bureau of Prisons

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is currently seeking a highly skilled and compassionate Clinical Psychologist to fill the role of Drug Abuse Program Coordinator in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a unique opportunity to apply your clinical expertise in a high-stakes environment, where your work directly contributes to inmate rehabilitation, institutional safety, and the successful reintegration of individuals back into our communities.

Job Responsibilities

As the Drug Abuse Program Coordinator, you will wear multiple hats. Your primary focus is the oversight of comprehensive drug abuse treatment programs. Key responsibilities include:

Clinical Leadership: Directing and supervising clinical staff in the provision of individual and group psychotherapy.
Program Development: Planning, implementing, and monitoring Non-residential and Residential Drug Abuse Treatment and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) protocols.
Clinical Consultation: Serving as a subject matter expert to institutional leadership and medical staff regarding inmate psychological status and treatment requirements.
Security: Maintaining a safe and secure environment, as all BOP employees share a foundational responsibility for the safety of the institution.

Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must meet stringent federal standards. Below is a comparison of key eligibility areas.

Requirement	Description
Education	Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical or counseling psychology.
Licensure	Must hold a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice psychology.
Experience	Minimum of one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level.
Training	Mandatory 3-week training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Glynco, GA).

Salary Overview

The salary for this position is highly competitive, ranging from $112,556 to $146,325 per year. In addition to base pay, the agency may offer a retention incentive of up to 25% for candidates who meet specific criteria, making this a rewarding financial opportunity for experienced psychologists.

Benefits

Employees of the Federal Bureau of Prisons enjoy the stability of federal employment. Benefits include:

Health and Life Insurance options.
Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Generous annual leave and sick leave accruals.
Federal holidays off.
Access to extensive professional development and training resources.

Application Tips

The federal hiring process is rigorous and relies heavily on documentation. To increase your chances of selection:

Format your Resume: Ensure it is limited to two pages and clearly lists your experience in a 'Month/Year' format with hours worked per week.
Highlight Specialized Experience: Use the language from the announcement to describe how your past clinical work aligns with the requirements of this role.
Submit Transcripts Early: Ensure all transcripts are legible and include necessary identifying information.

Serving as a Clinical Psychologist with the Bureau of Prisons is more than a job—it is a mission. If you possess the clinical expertise and the leadership skills to guide drug abuse programs in a high-security setting, we encourage you to apply before the October 28, 2026 deadline.

Why This Clinical Psychologist (Drug Abuse Program Coordinator) Job Matters

Shape the future of rehabilitation. Lead critical drug abuse programming and clinical psychological services within the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Clinical Psychologist (Drug Abuse Program Coordinator) Job Overview

The Department of Justice, specifically the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is seeking a dedicated Clinical Psychologist to serve as a Drug Abuse Program Coordinator in Atlanta, Georgia. This pivotal role involves leading clinical staff, designing specialized treatment protocols, and ensuring the highest standards of mental health and substance abuse care within a correctional setting. You will serve as a subject matter expert, guiding institutional leadership on clinical strategies that foster inmate reentry and public safety.

Requirements for Clinical Psychologist (Drug Abuse Program Coordinator)

U.S. Citizenship.
Completion of a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in clinical or counseling psychology.
Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, or District of Columbia.
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Successful completion of a background investigation and drug screening.
Must complete the three-week 'Introduction to Correctional Techniques' training course in Glynco, Georgia.

Preferred Qualifications for Clinical Psychologist (Drug Abuse Program Coordinator)

Demonstrated experience in evaluating the need for substance use and mental health treatments.
Proven history of supervising clinical staff and managing treatment programs.
Expertise in providing psychosocial treatment for individuals receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
Strong communication skills for interdisciplinary collaboration with executive staff.
Expertise in clinical diagnosis and interpretation of psychological test data.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with potential for annual increases.
✓Potential retention incentive of up to 25%.
✓Comprehensive federal benefits package, including health insurance, life insurance, and retirement plans.
✓Paid time off, including federal holidays, annual leave, and sick leave.
✓Access to structured federal training and professional development programs.

💡 How to Apply Clinical Psychologist (Drug Abuse Program Coordinator) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Clinical Psychologist (Drug Abuse Program Coordinator) Job

Create or update your USAJOBS profile.
Prepare a resume limited to two pages highlighting specialized clinical experience.
Gather supporting documentation, including your current, unrestricted psychology license, transcripts, and most recent performance appraisal.
Complete the online questionnaire via the USAJOBS portal.
Electronically link all required documents to your application submission.
Submit your application package by the closing date of October 28, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume includes start and end dates (MM/YYYY) and the number of hours worked per week for each position.
Upload a legible copy of your professional license that clearly displays the expiration date; this is a mandatory selective factor.
Avoid using special characters like %, #, or @ in your document filenames.
Address all KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) clearly in your application materials to ensure a higher assessment score.
If you are a federal employee, include your most recent unredacted SF-50.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is relocation assistance provided for this position?

Relocation expenses are generally not provided for this specific announcement. The position is subject to geographic relocation to meet agency needs.

Can I apply if I am not currently a federal employee?

Yes, however, please review the 'Who May Apply' section in the full announcement to ensure you meet the hiring path eligibility criteria.

What happens if I forget to upload my license?

The license is a mandatory selective factor. Failure to provide a current, unrestricted, and valid license documentation at the time of application will result in automatic disqualification.

What is the most common reason for disqualification?

*A: Failing to upload the required, unexpired professional license at the time of application is the most common cause for immediate removal from consideration.*

Is this role eligible for telework?

*A: This position is typically not eligible for telework due to the need for on-site, in-person clinical supervision and institution-wide security responsibilities.*

Job from Bureau Of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Operating under the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is tasked with the vital mission of protecting society by confining offenders in controlled environments that are safe, humane, and secure. Professionals working within the BOP do more than just provide clinical care; they serve as critical pillars in a system dedicated to reducing recidivism through evidence-based programming.