Occupation · SOC 33-1011
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Median wage
$76,310
$50,340–$125,170
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
53,390
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
455 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationSpeakingManagement of Personnel ResourcesReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementPsychologyEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation software
Representative tasks
Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, reMaintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and r
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Inmate counts — conduct and record under direct supervisory guidance during scheduled intervals on a correctional housing unit.Institutional policies and regulations — read, reference, and apply basic rules under close oversight in a correctional facility setting.Order and discipline — recognize and report behavioral violations to senior staff in accordance with established facility protocols.Contraband searches — assist senior officers in performing searches of inmate quarters following prescribed search procedures.Emergency response procedures — follow step-by-step protocols during drills and minor incidents under the direction of a supervising officer.Correctional officer work — observe and assist in monitoring assigned officers' activities while learning supervisory expectations on shift.Inmate behavior patterns — identify and document observable changes in demeanor or conduct using standardized reporting forms.Use-of-force regulations — demonstrate awareness of authorized chemical agents and restraint tools under close supervisory instruction.Incident reports — draft basic written accounts of events using approved facility formats with guidance from senior supervisors.Database and office software — enter shift data, counts, and basic records into facility information systems under direct instruction.
developing
Periodic inmate counts — independently conduct, verify, and reconcile headcounts across assigned areas in accordance with facility count schedules.Facility rules and regulations — apply and enforce institutional policies consistently across routine situations with minimal supervisory oversight.Officer conduct monitoring — observe and address subordinate behavior to ensure professional, courteous treatment of inmates and visitors during daily operations.Contraband searches — plan and lead searches of inmate persons and quarters, applying standard search techniques and documenting findings accurately.Emergency response — coordinate initial response actions during escapes or disturbances, directing correctional officers to assigned positions per facility protocols.Inmate discipline and welfare — balance custody requirements with inmate welfare considerations, resolving routine behavioral issues through de-escalation techniques.Shift documentation — prepare accurate shift logs, use-of-force reports, and personnel records using word processing and spreadsheet software.Personnel coordination — assign correctional officers to posts and adjust staffing coverage to maintain security levels during a standard facility shift.Critical incidents — apply deductive reasoning to assess developing situations and recommend appropriate escalation to facility management in a timely manner.Applicable law and policy — interpret relevant sections of correctional law and administrative regulations to guide day-to-day supervisory decisions.
proficient
Inmate count accountability — design and oversee a reliable count verification system across multiple housing units, identifying discrepancies and initiating corrective action autonomously.Security and order maintenance — enforce institutional rules and manage non-routine behavioral incidents across the full scope of assigned areas without requiring supervisory direction.Officer performance supervision — evaluate correctional officer conduct, provide real-time feedback, and document performance concerns in compliance with personnel management standards.Complex contraband operations — lead multi-area search operations, adapting techniques based on intelligence and risk assessment in a medium- to large-scale correctional institution.Emergency command — assume on-scene command during escapes, riots, or medical emergencies, coordinating multi-unit responses and liaising with law enforcement or medical personnel.Use of force — authorize and oversee deployment of restraints, chemical agents, or other approved force options, ensuring legal compliance and post-incident documentation.Staff development — identify training needs of individual correctional officers and implement on-the-job coaching plans to improve knowledge and professional conduct.Problem solving under pressure — apply complex problem-solving skills to resolve novel security threats or staffing crises, weighing risk factors and resource constraints simultaneously.Interdepartmental coordination — collaborate with classification, mental health, and administrative units to address inmate welfare and security concerns through integrated correctional strategies.Policy compliance reporting — analyze shift data, identify systemic issues, and produce detailed reports for facility administrators using office suite and database tools.
advanced
Institutional security strategy — establish facility-wide security protocols and staffing models that align with regulatory requirements and organizational safety goals across all shifts and units.Supervisory workforce development — design and deliver training programs that elevate supervisory competency throughout the correctional officer ranks in alignment with institutional standards.Policy and regulatory leadership — lead review and revision of institutional policies, ensuring compliance with evolving laws and government mandates at the division or facility level.Emergency management framework — develop and exercise comprehensive emergency response plans covering escape, riot, and critical incident scenarios for the entire correctional facility.Organizational culture — model and champion integrity, self-control, and stress tolerance as professional standards, shaping the conduct norms of the entire supervisory team.Personnel resource management — direct allocation, scheduling, and performance management of a multi-unit correctional officer workforce to achieve optimal security and operational outcomes.Cross-agency collaboration — represent the facility in coordination with law enforcement, courts, and community stakeholders to advance public safety and correctional best practices.Systems analysis and improvement — evaluate facility-wide security systems, identify operational gaps, and lead data-driven process improvements using advanced reporting and database tools.Leadership under crisis — exercise decisive command authority during high-stakes, multi-agency incidents, maintaining control of personnel and information flow in complex correctional environments.Mentorship and succession planning — identify high-potential supervisors, provide structured mentorship, and build a pipeline of qualified correctional leaders prepared for increased responsibility.
Also known as
21 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Correction WardenPrison Guard SupervisorCorrection Officer SupervisorCommissary ManagerCorrections LieutenantCorrectional Program SupervisorJuvenile Justice SupervisorDetention SupervisorShift SupervisorGuard ChiefUnit ManagerWard SupervisorCorrectional SupervisorCorrection Officer, HeadCorrectional CaptainGuard SupervisorDetention DirectorCorrectional Housing Unit ManagerCorrectional Case Records SupervisorCorrectional Officer CaptainJailer, Chief