First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Overview

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers has a national median salary of $77,970 per year, with -2.5% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

Work Values

• Support
• Independence
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
• Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
• Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
• Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
• Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.

Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
• Getting Information
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Training and Teaching Others
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
• Coaching and Developing Others
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Detailed Work Activities

• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers:

Video Resources