Occupation

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Human Advantage 81%

Strongly human-essential role

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.1 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

Also Known As: Correction Officer Supervisor, Correction Warden, Correctional Case Records Supervisor, Correctional Officer Captain, Correctional Supervisor, Detention Director, Detention Supervisor, Guard Chief +5 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
  2. Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
  3. Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
  4. Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
  5. Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.
  6. Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.
  7. Monitor behavior of subordinates to ensure alert, courteous, and professional behavior toward inmates, parolees, fellow employees, visitors, and the public.
  8. Restrain, secure, or control offenders, using chemical agents, firearms, or other weapons of force as necessary.
  9. Carry injured offenders or employees to safety and provide emergency first aid when necessary.
  10. Complete administrative paperwork or supervise the preparation or maintenance of records, forms, or reports.
  11. Supervise activities, such as searches, shakedowns, riot control, or institutional tours.
  12. Conduct roll calls of correctional officers.
  13. Instruct employees or provide on-the-job training.
  14. Resolve problems between inmates.
  15. Set up employee work schedules.
  16. Examine incoming or outgoing mail to ensure conformance with regulations.
  17. Transfer or transport offenders on foot or by driving vehicles, such as trailers, vans, or buses.
  18. Review offender information to identify issues that require special attention.
  19. Develop work or security procedures.
  20. Convey correctional officers' or inmates' complaints to superiors.
  21. Supervise or provide security for offenders performing tasks, such as construction, maintenance, laundry, food service, or other industrial or agricultural operations.
  22. Conduct evaluations of employees' performance.
  23. Rate behavior of inmates, promoting acceptable attitudes and behaviors to those with low ratings.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
59%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
23%
Bachelor's Degree
11%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
5%
Some College Courses
2%
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Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Software (10)

  • 3M Electronic Monitoring
  • Email software
  • Guardian RFID
  • Jail management software

Tools & Equipment (33)

  • Air-supplying respirators
  • Closed circuit television CCTV surveillance systems
  • Cut resistant gloves
  • Data collectors
  • Desktop computers
  • Electroshock weapons
  • Emergency fire extinguishers
  • Expandable batons
  • Fire detection systems
  • Fire suppression blankets
  • Handheld metal detectors
  • Laptop computers
  • Law enforcement flashlights
  • Law enforcement handguns
  • Lower body armor
  • Metal handcuffs
  • Mobile radios
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Multipurpose knives
  • Passenger vehicles
  • Personal computers
  • Prisoner transport belts
  • Prisoner transport vans
  • Protective gas masks
  • Radio frequency identification RFID devices
  • Riot protection helmets
  • Security system control panels
  • Stab proof vests
  • Surveillance cameras
  • Tablet computers
  • Tactical riot shields
  • Upper body armor
  • Walk-through metal detectors

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Public Safety Financial Services

Zone 2
Correctional Officers and Jailers 96% match
Zone 3
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers You are here
Zone 4
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 94% match

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Related Occupations

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Real Talk

Hear from real First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officerss about their work:

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