Lead elite teams that implement unconventional operations by air, land, or sea during combat or peacetime. These activities include offensive raids, demolitions, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and counterterrorism. In addition to their combat training, special forces officers often have specialized training in swimming, diving, parachuting, survival, emergency medicine, and foreign languages. Duties include directing advanced reconnaissance operations and evaluating intelligence information; recruiting, training, and equipping friendly forces; leading raids and invasions on enemy territories; training personnel to implement individual missions and contingency plans; performing strategic and tactical planning for politically sensitive missions; and operating sophisticated communications equipment.
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordination
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and Training
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail 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 supervision during scheduled count periods in an assigned housing unit.Institutional rules and regulations — review and apply basic protocols under close guidance in a correctional facility setting.Order and discipline — assist senior personnel in maintaining assigned area compliance in accordance with facility policies.Emergency procedures — recognize and report escape attempts or disturbances by following established response protocols.Active listening skills — demonstrate attentiveness when receiving instructions from supervisors during shift briefings.Written logs and reports — complete basic entry-level documentation using word processing software under supervisor review.Public safety awareness — identify potential security risks in familiar areas of the facility and escalate findings promptly.Inmate interaction — engage respectfully and clearly with individuals in custody following personal service and conduct guidelines.Database interfaces — enter required count and incident data into facility management software with supervisory assistance.Monitoring responsibilities — observe inmate behavior patterns in assigned areas and note irregularities for supervisor follow-up.
developing
Periodic inmate counts — independently execute and verify scheduled and random headcounts across multiple housing units with minimal oversight.Policy compliance — apply institutional regulations consistently across routine situations without requiring direct supervision.Discipline and order maintenance — manage minor disturbances and enforce rules in assigned areas using established de-escalation techniques.Emergency response — respond to escapes or facility emergencies by executing the appropriate contingency plan in a timely manner.Critical thinking — evaluate evolving situations on the unit floor and select appropriate courses of action based on policy and precedent.Incident documentation — prepare clear, accurate incident reports using office suite and word processing software following each reportable event.Coordination with staff — collaborate with fellow officers during shift transitions to ensure continuous security coverage across the facility.Inmate behavior monitoring — track behavioral trends over time and flag early warning indicators of potential security threats to supervisors.Spreadsheet tools — maintain shift-level tracking logs and basic compliance records using spreadsheet software for supervisor review.Social perceptiveness — read interpersonal dynamics among inmates and adjust supervisory approach to reduce tension within the housing unit.
proficient
Inmate count integrity — oversee complex count procedures across multiple facility zones, resolving discrepancies and documenting findings autonomously.Regulatory enforcement — apply, interpret, and enforce the full range of institutional policies, including nuanced or edge-case situations, without guidance.Security operations — independently manage order, discipline, and safety across high-risk or volatile assigned areas during all phases of a shift.Emergency command — lead on-scene response to escapes, riots, or medical emergencies, coordinating personnel and resources until relief command arrives.Judgment and decision making — assess ambiguous security situations under stress and implement decisive, defensible actions that protect staff and inmates.Advanced report writing — author thorough investigative and after-action reports using word processing software for administrative and legal review.Staff coordination — orchestrate multi-officer responses to non-routine incidents, assigning roles and maintaining situational awareness throughout.Knowledge management — stay current on changes to law, government directives, and institutional policy and apply updates to daily operational practice.Technology proficiency — query facility database systems to retrieve inmate history, movement records, and prior incidents to inform security decisions.Training delivery — mentor newer officers by demonstrating correct count procedures, use of force protocols, and documentation standards during live shifts.
advanced
Facility security strategy — design and implement comprehensive security frameworks and operational protocols for an entire correctional institution.Policy development — author and revise institutional rules, procedures, and regulations to reflect evolving legal standards and best practices.Emergency preparedness leadership — develop, test, and refine mass-emergency response plans including escape scenarios, riots, and natural disasters.Organizational discipline culture — establish and sustain a facility-wide culture of order, integrity, and professional conduct among all security personnel.Executive decision making — resolve high-stakes, ambiguous security crises at the organizational level, balancing public safety, legal obligations, and staff welfare.Workforce development — build structured training programs and evaluation frameworks that systematically advance officer competency across all experience levels.Cross-agency coordination — lead collaboration with law enforcement, legal authorities, and government bodies during major incidents or policy implementation.Performance oversight — analyze facility-wide security metrics using database and spreadsheet tools to identify systemic risks and drive continuous improvement.Resource allocation leadership — direct staffing assignments, shift configurations, and equipment distribution to optimize security coverage across all facility zones.Institutional accountability — represent the facility in audits, legal proceedings, and governmental reviews, ensuring full compliance with law and public safety mandates.
Also known as
14 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Advanced Seal Delivery SystemCombatant Diver OfficerCombatant Diver Qualified (Officer)Commanding Officer, Special Warfare TeamControl and Recovery, Combat RescueControl and Recovery, Special TacticsExecutive Officer, Special Warfare TeamParachute/Combatant Diver OfficerParachutist/Combatant Diver Qualified (Officer)Sea-Air-Land OfficerSeal Delivery Vehicle OfficerSpecial Forces OfficerSpecial Forces Warrant OfficerSpecial Weapons Unit Officer