Hambrick Addresses Chamber

Margaret Hambrick, the former warden at Alderson Prison, briefed local residents on some of the qualities the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) seeks in job applicants.

Hambrick was the featured speaker during the monthly Welch Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Friday afternoon at the Welch Library. She also touched on other opportunities the new federal prison will create.

Though it is still too early to make an official application, Hambrick said that early job seekers may fill out a generic application online at bop.gov.

“It's still too early to apply, unless you want to apply for a position at another prison and then transfer back,” she said. “The BOP will let the EDA know when they open the registers. It's probably another year out from opening.”

In listing the requirements for employment, Hambrick stressed that all new hires must be age 37 or younger because of the mandatory age retirement. In addition to age, Hambrick said that the BOP seeks applicants who have a clean credit history; those who are physically fit; who have good management/people skills and good writing skills.

“The most important educational skill an applicant can have is good writing skills,” she said. “It doesn't need to be fancy, just good basic sixth grade English is fine.'

Good writing skills are necessary, Hambrick said, because documentation of incident reports is necessary for the system of courts that are maintained within the prison. “Computer skills are also important,” she said.

The BOP, she said, uses the Word Perfect program.

All BOP job applications are sent to Texas where they are scored by the personnel office. Applications, she said are given points for job experience, education, management skills, and military service.

The BOP, she noted, looks for diversity in job applicants because prisoners originate from various ethnic backgrounds.

“They'll be looking for qualified African-American, Hispanics, and American-Indians,” she said.

A Domestic Violence conviction is one negative that will disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant. To work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Hambrick said all applicants must be trained and licensed to carry firearms. A domestic violence conviction automatically disqualifies the applicant from obtaining a permit for the firearm. Therefore, the applicant is ineligible for a BOP job.

Hambrick noted that BOP staff will need housing, but cautioned local landlords not to gouge any potential renters of buyers. One community where a new federal prison was located did that and the entire BOP staff, she said, ended up moving 30 miles away where housing was more affordable.

During the question and answer session at the conclusion of Hambrick's talk, EDA Director Rachel Lester encourages the public to attend the HUBZone training November 3, 6 p.m. at the WORKFORCE Development Office, Welch. The workshop will explain how the certification will give local businesses and entrepreneurs special advantages when contracting with the BOP or other government agencies.

Lester also encouraged the public to attend the Landlord Training Seminar, Wednesday, November 8, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. at the Starland Heights Community Room, Kimball.

For additional information on either workshop contact the EDA at 436-3833

--Cathy Patton (Welch News)