Home / Federal careers / GS-0007
Correctional Officer
Federal law enforcement position providing custody, supervision, and security for inmates at federal correctional facilities operated by the Bureau of Prisons throughout the United States.
What GS-0007 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0007, as written.
Basic Requirements
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in any field
- GS-7: One year of graduate education with focus on criminal justice, social science, or other field related to the position
OR
Experience:
- GS-5: Three years of general experience (minimum one year at GS-4 equivalent) demonstrating aptitude for correctional work
- GS-6+: One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level
Key Personal Attributes Required:
- Ability to interact with individuals from differing backgrounds and behavioral patterns
- Persuasiveness and leadership capabilities
- Sound judgment and problem-solving skills under stress
- Emotional stability and composure during emergencies
- Empathy, objectivity, and adaptability
Medical Standards:
- Vision: Minimum 20/30 (corrected or uncorrected)
- Hearing: Must hear conversational speech in at least one ear
- Mental/emotional stability required
- Must be physically capable of arduous duties including walking, standing, and restraining inmates
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0007
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Correction and Detention Specialist
Direct translation to federal corrections officer.
Skills that carry over: corrections, custody, inmate management, security.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Corrections and Detention Specialist
31Es map directly to GS-0007 Correctional Officer. The Federal Bureau of Prisons hires 31Es as direct credit for line officer positions and supervisory roles.
Skills that carry over: Custody and control, Use-of-force protocols, Detention facility operations, Behavioral management, Population accountability.
Usually opens at: GS-05, GS-06, GS-07, GS-08, GS-09.
Military Police
Corrections officer - strong alignment with MP security skills.
Skills that carry over: security, enforcement, custody, control.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Supervise inmates
- Conduct security checks
- Search for contraband
- Enforce facility rules
- Respond to emergencies
- Escort inmates
- Prepare incident reports
- Monitor inmate activities
- Conduct counts
- Maintain order and security
Key competencies
Inmate Supervision
Ability to maintain custody, control, and safety of inmates.
Security Procedures
Knowledge of search techniques, contraband detection, and count procedures.
Crisis Response
Skill in responding to emergencies including riots, escapes, and medical situations.
Observation
Ability to detect unusual behavior or security threats through constant vigilance.
Physical Fitness
Ability to perform physical requirements including restraint and emergency response.
Firearms Proficiency
Skill in safe handling and use of firearms and restraint devices.
Report Writing
Ability to prepare clear and accurate incident reports and documentation.
Interpersonal Skills
Skill in maintaining professional relationships with inmates while enforcing rules.
Self-Control
Ability to remain calm and professional in stressful and confrontational situations.
First Aid
Knowledge of basic first aid and emergency medical response procedures.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0007
What is a Federal Correctional Officer?
A GS-0007 Correctional Officer is a federal law enforcement position within the Bureau of Prisons responsible for maintaining security, supervising inmates, and ensuring the safe operation of federal correctional facilities. These officers conduct searches, enforce rules, respond to emergencies, and maintain order throughout federal prisons nationwide.
How much does a federal Correctional Officer make?
Federal Correctional Officers start at GS-5 ($34,454) and can advance to GS-9 ($52,205-$67,865) under the 2025 base pay scale. With Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) adding 25% and locality adjustments of 15-30%, total compensation often reaches $55,000-$85,000 depending on location and experience.
What are the requirements for GS-0007 positions?
Entry-level GS-5 Correctional Officer positions require a bachelor's degree OR 3 years of general experience (1 year equivalent to GS-4). Applicants must be U.S. citizens, pass medical and psychological exams, complete background investigations, and be under age 37 at appointment. Prior corrections or military experience is highly beneficial.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0007?
Absolutely. Military experience is excellent preparation for Correctional Officer positions. Military Police, Security Forces, Master-at-Arms, and infantry roles provide directly relevant experience. Three years of active duty service typically qualifies for GS-5, and veterans receive hiring preference. Your military discipline, security training, and experience working under pressure are highly valued.
What is the career progression for Correctional Officer?
Correctional Officers follow a one-grade interval career ladder from GS-5 to GS-9. New officers complete training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Advancement opportunities include Senior Officer Specialist, Lieutenant, Captain, and administrative positions. Many officers advance into other BOP career tracks including case management, counseling, or facility administration.
How do I apply for GS-0007 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Correctional Officer' or '0007' series. The Bureau of Prisons frequently posts openings at facilities nationwide. Your federal resume should highlight supervisory experience, security training, and physical fitness. Veterans must submit DD-214 for preference. Be prepared for the GL pay scale used for law enforcement and a comprehensive background investigation.
Ready to apply for GS-0007?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.