First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Also known as: Commissary Manager, Correction Officer Supervisor, Correction Warden, Correctional Captain, Correctional Case Records Supervisor, Correctional Housing Unit Manager, Correctional Officer Captain, Correctional Program Supervisor, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)
What You'd Do
- 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.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
Related Careers
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.