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Well lads, after months of having this on the back burner, I finally pulled the trigger today and submitted my application. I listed MCC manhattan and MCC Brooklyn and my choices. Lets see what this process brings.
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Just got hired on at BOP. What does the promotions ladder in BOP look like? I heard some agencies go 5-7-9-11-12-13+, but it doesn’t seem that way in BOP. Also, as a grade 6 step 1, will I promote to grade 7 step 2? Any wisdom is appreciated.Last edited by Racecar_Johnny; 07-11-2020, 06:55 AM.Comment
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Five through seven is all automatic. If you start as a 5-1, in a year you'll be a 6-2 and following year you'll be a 7-3. To get your eight you actually have to compete, you submit your package and they make selections. Nine and above are all leadership positions. 9 and 11 are Lieutenants, 12 and (13?) are Captains. Above that they go to a different pay scale for Associate Warden and Warden.
However, that is for custody side. Once you get your eight you can also try for other non custody positions like counselor or SIS. -
As far as the pay scales Camelbakis mostly right. They revamped the titles to reflect non supervisory LE spots as they recieve more in pay and retirement.
Years ago we were all GS except in the LE scale a GS 6 in BOP or wherever made more than say the VA. Now everything below 10 is GL. BOP has the most non supervisory LE position. As you mentioned most other LE agencies go ro 11 or 12 automatically.
When I went from GL 9 to GS 11 LT I had the same pay as a GS 11 from an 11 in say Social Sec Admin but I was on the same Fed LE retirement which is much better than a regular Fers job (Like Social Sec Admin etc)
GL 8 is the hardest postuon to oromoteninto especially at a Satnd alone. Complex its better odds as more spots.
Look out for opportunity outside custody. Example if you get int a Case Manager soit they are either 5 or 7 but they automatically go up to GS 11 at year increments 5-7-9-11 etc. And being a non suoervisory GS 11 isnt a bad gig
Good luck and welcome to BOP
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how hard is it to become a special investigative agent (GS12) in BOP?, could you feasibly, go from a gl7 transfer to become an SIS GL8, then to an LT the year after, and a SIA the after that? (tentatively 4-5 years?) Does having a degree possibly help with that process?Comment
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Not so much hard as lucky. The issue is there are very few SIA spots and to get one you usually have to spend several years as an SIS LT. To be an SIS LT you are picked by the Warden (Capt usually has a say) But once an SIS LT its nit a long term gig.
They say your "Elegible" to put in for the next grade at the 12 month mark. A lot of staff fail to also be "qualified" (Not that the a few inept staff havent gotten promoted here and there but you get what I'm saying) So sometimes Luck and Timing has more to do with it (as BOP can be a family business and that helps promotions like prophecy wriiten in scripture at times)
So while I have seen a couple fast burners they are the exception more than the rule
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Does anyone know what guns you need to be able to shoot at Fletc? Much appreciated!Comment
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Thank you. At fletc they teach you ? And how do they grade you ?Comment
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The academic side has changed in the 20 years since I was there but I believe you have 2 tests now Pay attention in class and you should be fine. Its not as academic as being an 1811 Investigator likenother agencies basic is..
As far as firearms yes they have good instructors. They break it down pretty simple so if your a Master Jedi with firearms just go at their pace as many have never shot before. I'm not putting the courae out here but its pretty easy just for employment.
There is a seperate class and qualification for trips but you do that at your institution with howevwr they have it set up.
Also the only PT you do is the physical fitness test Anything else is on your own time. No screaming an yelling. (unless one gets stupid with a firearm) its a college like atmosphere Just don't get himmed up with drinking or off duty schnanagins. Theres always one in every class -
I went to FLETC around 4 years ago. The classroom academics were straightforward, not rocket science. Just pay attention in class. Do not blow off studying some. If you fail to make a 70% overall average they send you home unemployed. Two multiple choice tests with straightforward questions. The staff there want you to graduate. They’re not there to trip you up. Ask for help if needed with the academics.
There is no mandatory physical fitness training, just the fitness assessment when you arrive (run one lap of a quarter mile track within 2:38, run the “obstacle course” in an office area, etc. Very easy. There is however, defensive tactics portion of the curriculum which is graded. Again they don’t expect you to be an Olympic athlete; just follow along with the instructor.
Do NOT think the local city police care that you’re a student at FLETC nor that they’ll cut you some slack out of professional courtesy. They don’t. Also the FLETC director cuts no slack. Several TSA students in my dorm (resembles a nice motel) got drunk and stupid at the dorm pool area the evening after they graduated (departing for home the next day). The FLETC security patrol was called, the newly-graduated TSA students got even more stupid, and they wound up leaving the next morning unemployed.Last edited by Signal108M; 07-12-2020, 08:37 AM.
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How long does it usually take to transfer out once you are hired? Do I have to apply for the GL-8 specialist, or can I transfer as an 6 or 7 once I finish my 1 year probation?Comment
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There is a 99 9% chance You wont get oicked up ad an outsider transfering in to a GL 8 spit. Just the way it is (The one exception is a newly activated institution or one still trying to get their manning up that recently activated)
It usually takes a year as your supoose to be off any probationary status. There might be a claim someone did but again thats the exception as I never witnessed it in 20 years.
If you want tobget somewhere ask your Caor, LT you trust of even an AW/Warden. They know peoole and orobably k ow someone on the ground there.
How it works is you apply through USA Jobs for a a
ouncementbyou ualify but it has to state "BOP Reassignment Eligibles " But let your overhead k ow they will help. Because an institution you are intereated in coukd make an a announcement once they know someone (you through your AW etc making a call) are interested.
But a Lateral you pay your own way. The good thing you have no commitment once there like a paid move ao you can apply for othwr laterals or promotion etc. On paid moves (usually ad a LT or giger or on am activation) You jave an 18 month commitment bwforw going somwwhere else. Or you might have to reimburse the GOV.
Advice, if you are married or serious live in talk with them and go visit the place if your unfamiliar with the area. As other halfs have to be happy to. -
Like Shooter commented earlier, discuss this with your significant other if you’re in a relationship. Plenty of BOP locations are in the middle of nowhere. Can be challenging to find nearby housing, job opportunity for significant other, any off-duty cultural activities etc. Some BOP places are in, or a reasonable drive to, medium to large metropolitan areas. On the other hand, some are surrounded by miles of nothingness.
Zoom on this map.
https://www.bop.gov/locations/map.jspLast edited by Signal108M; 07-15-2020, 01:56 PM. -
Thank you guys. I appreciate it, I already got on with FCC Coleman but was wondering what the possibilities were of transferring in a few years to my wife’s home town. I’m happy here but she would be happier living near her family. Coming from TSA, we could transfer as much as we wanted to as long as we did one year at the location, apparently it is different with BOP and that’s fine. I am fortunate and grateful enough to be picked up by Coleman.
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Received this email...... Just passing it forward for others that may not have received it.
The Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution located in Glenville, WV will be hiring Correctional Officers, at the GL-0007-05/06 grade levels. If you are interested, go into your USAJOBS application (BOP-N-2020-0001) and change your #1 preference location choice to FCI Gilmer so you can be considered. We plan on requesting the GL-05 and GL-06 no later than July 27, 2020, so please make the appropriate changes to your USAJOBS application no later than July 24. 2020.
If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Department at FCI Gilmer, email GIL/[email protected]bop.gov.
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Hello everyone, I'm new at this forum. I live in the west coast, I've applied for MDC Los Angeles. I'm waiting to be contacted for my interview. Can someone explain the CVA test. Any info. would be helpful. I heard if you don't pass the CVA test they don't allow you to move on to the interview.Comment
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Scenarios involving a person or group of people exhibiting behavior not necessarily right/legal/ethical/moral. For each scenario you get X number of potential ways you might intervene. You pick the most likely way and also the least likely way you would respond to each scenario based on your personal code of values, ethics, and morals. Specific knowledge of BOP policy is not needed nor expected.Originally posted by AlxC View Post
If you’re invited to interview you take this written test first. I think the minimum score to pass is in the upper 60% range. If you don’t pass they say “thanks for your time, sorry, goodbye,” and you must wait one year before reapplying. If you pass the exam then you move straight to the panel interview.
See more, starting on page 5:
https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/3330.02.pdfLast edited by Signal108M; 07-15-2020, 06:04 PM.Comment
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Thank you, for the info.Comment
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I don't know why, they make you wait a whole year to retake it. I'm going to give it my best shot and hopefully I get a high enough score to pass. All 60 questions are based on scenarios. Is enough time allowed to finish or is it one of those test you need to answer and move onto the next one quickly.Comment
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I took it yesterday but I scored a 67%. You need a 70% to move on. Two questions away from moving on and now I have to wait a year. They give you 70 minutes, HR sits in the room to observe you. It was distracting with them walking in and out of the room and then others coming into the room but it is what it is now. -
Also..... Once you click next to go to the next question you can’t go back to check your answers
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The jacked up thing is when they started the whole CVS thing a friend if mine was a AHRM and took it as did several others for Gee Whizzes and most of them failed . Silly BS if you ask me.Originally posted by Signal108M View PostComment
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I got a conditional offer from Federal Pensacola (Florida) as a grade 6 and sent in my eQip a week ago.
Does anyone know when it is too late to apply to another fed camp up North/West, or advisable, and get a grade 7 slot? Pensacola was not hurting for people like N and W are, so I feel like I am shooting myself out of a recruitment bonus and higher grade.. any wisdom is appreciated.Comment
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Well once you are hired in you have to be off probationary status at the year mark. OR pull your app and apply at said location you want. You might have to wait a minute though BUT it would be sooner than a year.
As far as a higher rate Even if you BQd for the GL 6 just about eveyone the last 10 years have hired in as a 5. You will get your 7 automatically at the start of the 3rd year no matter where you hire n at.
GL 8 is the competitive promotionLast edited by in625shooter; 07-17-2020, 09:12 PM. -
I got hired on as a GL6, but HR said if they pull a 7 and they determine I qualify they will bump me up to a 7. The things the key words are "if they determine" so I could very well appear on a certificate for a 7 and they decide otherwise, but as shooter said you will automatically hit the next level after your probationary.
The other thing to keep in mind is for a recruitment bonus you are going to be living in a high cost of living area: Cali, NY, etc.... and the extra $6000 to $7000 really isnt that big of a difference when your housing is either 1-2 hours away and your rent is 1500 - 2000 for a 1 bed. not to mention the relocation......
Florida is alot cheaper. -
A lot of people try to get to Pensacola it's a minimum security camp near the beach
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Hello, hoping anyone here can assist! I recently recieved a interview invitation to MCC New York, the OF-5 Certification that I filled out showed grade 5 but I am BQ in all grades in the announcement. If I change my preference to another location (Texas) would I show in the list of eligibles for the other locations and recieve another OF-5 even as a grade 6 or 7, since MCC only pulled me as a 5.
Thanks in advance !Comment
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Again it doesn't matter what you are BQd for its what they are hiring in as far as getting in the door . Usually they will.pull a board for a single grade (in my area a 6 is now the first list they try then if they dont get the numbers they go to 5)
My HR and myself have never heard of anyone hiring in off the street as a 7 so not sure where that is coming from. If its that new or people are reading the Correctional Officer series is GL-007 so an announcement for an Officer would read GL-0007-5 (GL 5 officer) GL-0007-06 (GL 6 Officer) and so on
When they hired in a class of 20 10 years ago they brought everyone in as a 5. About 6 months in through the Union they offered to bump up the ones with experienve to 6. I dont remember all the specifics but almost none chose it because they would somehow loose and VA OJT benifits And they had to do a year at the 6 which you do anyway so not sure why they were mad about that
So do your reseach as in ask multiple folks. HR is horrible at slow walking or spinning folks (not all of them) And its always changing and there can always be something new. Glad I'm 11 days from retirementLast edited by in625shooter; 07-19-2020, 09:35 AM. -
The regular posting for co's now have 5 6 and 7 listed to apply.
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