BOP Program Statement 6021.05 § 8

The COSTEP Coordinator and the respective discipline Chief select COSTEP applicants at the

Division of Commissioned Personnel Support (DCPS) headquarters.

Junior COSTEP applications are accepted on an open and continuous basis.

a. Selection Notification. The PHS Commissioned Corps will select applicants for

JRCOSTEP assignments based on the qualification of the applicants and anticipated staffing of

the PHS Commissioned Corps. Selections and timeframes are at the discretion of the Director,

Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ).

The selecting operating division (OPDIV) or program will notify the chosen applicant(s), as well

as CCHQ, of their selection(s) within five workdays after selection. CCHQ will notify the

applicants who were not selected or are ineligible for the JRCOSTEP program.

b. Acceptance. If both the Warden and the applicant agree, the Junior COSTEP applicant

returns the verification letter contained in the acceptance packet. If the applicant is interested in a

Junior COSTEP rotation, the COSTEP Coordinator will contact the HSA, who appoints an

individual as the applicant's preceptor.

6021.05 2/26/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 4

The preceptor will contact the applicant to discuss the assignment, job objectives, availability

dates, procedures, etc.

c. Declination. If an applicant declines the Bureau’s offer, the COSTEP Coordinator informs

the Division of Commissioned Personnel, and the applicant's application is returned to the

applicant pool for consideration by another agency.

d. Processing. Prior to entry on duty, the following must be completed:

 Reference vouchering. The applicant must complete an application and SF-85P,

Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions prior to the interview.

 Local Law Enforcement and National Agency Check with Inquiry (NACI).

The Junior COSTEP applicant must meet the same suitability requirements as any other Bureau

applicant; however, a Limited Background Investigation (LBI) is not required. If the applicant

does not meet these standards, the Human Resource Servicing Office will contact the COSTEP

Coordinator. Junior COSTEPs needing access to sensitive information must have a NACI

initiated before having such access.