It takes a cool head under pressure to oversee workers on the front lines of safety and law enforcement, and that’s just a start on the list of job qualifications for supervisors of police and detectives, fire fighters, and correctional officers. Working in federal and state prisons or the local jail, correctional officer supervisors maintain discipline and security while observing all relevant rules, regulations, and laws. They oversee inmate counts and respond to emergencies as well as ensuring the safety of inmates. Supervisors of police and detectives coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offer guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensure that proceedings are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations. They train staff in police procedures, resolve personnel problems such as charges of misconduct, and keep up with new techniques in law enforcement. Firefighting and prevention worker supervisors make firefighter assignments based on their assessment of the extent of a fire, risk to persons, surrounding conditions, and water supply status. They instruct and drill personnel in their duties, including medical care and hazardous materials response. Some also serve as lead firefighters. Workers in these fields may carry weapons and emergency equipment, and often have emergency medical training. Some work outdoors in all types of weather. All carry significant responsibility for others’ health and safety. Typical requirements for these positions include a high school diploma or equivalent, or related associate’s degree or technical training, and previous experience in the field.
What they do:
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
On the job, you would:
Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Business
customer service
management
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Engineering and Technology
building and construction
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
understanding people's reactions
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
do two or more things at the same time
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Leadership
Stress Tolerance
Dependability
Concern for Others
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
Fire incident reporting systems
Microsoft Access
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Analytical or scientific software
BehavePlus
Plume modeling software
high school diploma/GED or associate's degree usually needed
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