Hambrick Addresses Chamber
By Cathy Patton
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 or 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 encouraged 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, 1p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Starland Heights Community Room, Kimball.
For additional information on either workshop, contact the EDA at 436-3833.
