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First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers Occupation Detailed Description

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

The main tasks and work activities of First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers are to count prison inmates or personnel, use weapons or physical force to maintain security, respond to emergencies to provide assistance, maintain professional knowledge or certifications. In general, for the First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers, critical Thinking, active Listening, coordination, social Perceptiveness and other 17 skills are required.
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious 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.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers jobs. 58.99% of First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 5.15% of First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
58.99%
Post-Secondary Certificate
5.15%
Some College Courses
2.28%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
22.88%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
10.70%

Tasks and Work Activities of First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

  • Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
  • Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
  • Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
  • Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
  • Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.
  • Restrain, secure, or control offenders, using chemical agents, firearms, or other weapons of force as necessary.
  • Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.
  • Monitor behavior of subordinates to ensure alert, courteous, and professional behavior toward inmates, parolees, fellow employees, visitors, and the public.
  • Complete administrative paperwork or supervise the preparation or maintenance of records, forms, or reports.
  • Instruct employees or provide on-the-job training.
  • Conduct roll calls of correctional officers.
  • Supervise activities, such as searches, shakedowns, riot control, or institutional tours.
  • Carry injured offenders or employees to safety and provide emergency first aid when necessary.
  • Supervise or provide security for offenders performing tasks, such as construction, maintenance, laundry, food service, or other industrial or agricultural operations.
  • Develop work or security procedures.
  • Set up employee work schedules.
  • Resolve problems between inmates.
  • Rate behavior of inmates, promoting acceptable attitudes and behaviors to those with low ratings.
  • Transfer or transport offenders on foot or by driving vehicles, such as trailers, vans, or buses.
  • Examine incoming or outgoing mail to ensure conformance with regulations.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersHandling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
  • Coaching and Developing OthersIdentifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Count prison inmates or personnel.
  • Use weapons or physical force to maintain security.
  • Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.
  • Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
  • Direct operations of correctional facilities.
  • Search individuals for illegal or dangerous items.
  • Locate suspicious objects or vehicles.
  • Evaluate employee performance.
  • Write operational reports.
  • Maintain operational records.
  • Train employees in proper work procedures.
  • Administer first aid.
  • Rescue people from hazardous situations.
  • Supervise inmate activities.
  • Determine operational procedures.
  • Prepare activity or work schedules.
  • Resolve interpersonal conflicts.
  • Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.
  • Escort prisoners to courtrooms, prisons, or other facilities.
  • Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations.

Skills and Abilities for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Management of Personnel ResourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • NegotiationBringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • PersuasionPersuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Explosive StrengthThe ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.
  • Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessoriese.g. Air-supplying respirators
  • Closed circuit television CCTV systeme.g. Closed circuit television CCTV surveillance systems
  • Anti cut glovese.g. Cut resistant gloves
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizerse.g. Data collectors
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Handgunse.g. Electroshock weapons
  • Fire extinguisherse.g. Emergency fire extinguishers
  • Riot batonse.g. Expandable batons
  • Fire alarm systemse.g. Fire detection systems
  • Fire blanketse.g. Fire suppression blankets
  • Security metal detectore.g. Handheld metal detectors
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Flashlighte.g. Law enforcement flashlights
  • Handgunse.g. Law enforcement handguns
  • Body armoure.g. Lower body armor
  • Handcuffse.g. Metal handcuffs
  • Two way radiose.g. Mobile radios
  • Special purpose telephonese.g. Multi-line telephone systems
  • Utility knivese.g. Multipurpose knives
  • Automobiles or carse.g. Passenger vehicles
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Law and GovernmentKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Personnel and Human ResourcesKnowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  • Sociology and AnthropologyKnowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Therapy and CounselingKnowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.