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Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers

SOC 55-1012.00Job Zone —v.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers correctional security operations in institutional detention settings, spanning routine inmate supervision, emergency response, policy enforcement, and administrative leadership at Job Zone 3 proficiency levels.

Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Inmate countsconduct and record periodic headcounts under direct supervisor guidance on a standard housing unit.
  2. Institutional regulationsread and reference posted rules and procedures when responding to routine inmate requests in a correctional facility.
  3. Post ordersfollow written post orders to maintain basic security and order within an assigned area under close supervision.
  4. Oral instructionsreceive and acknowledge shift briefings and supervisory directives clearly at the start of each duty period.
  5. Incident observationrecognize and report unusual inmate behavior or potential security threats to a supervising officer on the floor.
  6. Basic record-keepingenter routine activity logs into word processing or office suite software at the end of each shift.
  7. Emergency protocolsidentify the correct emergency response procedures for common situations such as fights or medical events when directed.
  8. Communication equipmentoperate standard radio and intercom systems to relay information between posts under supervision.
  9. Physical security checksperform scheduled door, lock, and perimeter inspections following a standardized checklist on a residential housing block.
  10. Interpersonal boundariesapply active-listening techniques to de-escalate low-level inmate complaints while maintaining professional boundaries on the unit floor.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Inmate population countsconduct, verify, and reconcile periodic counts independently and report discrepancies to shift supervisors in a multi-unit correctional facility.
  2. Order and discipline enforcementapply institutional rules consistently to maintain security and inmate compliance with reduced oversight during routine shift operations.
  3. Policy complianceinterpret and enforce relevant regulations and procedures for common non-routine situations, such as contraband discovery, on an active correctional housing block.
  4. Emergency responsecoordinate initial first-responder actions during minor emergencies, including disturbances or attempted escapes, by activating facility protocols and notifying command staff.
  5. Behavioral monitoringobserve inmate interactions over time to identify developing tensions or patterns of misconduct and escalate findings through proper reporting channels.
  6. Database entry and retrievalquery and update inmate management database software to track housing assignments, disciplinary records, and incident reports accurately.
  7. Shift documentationprepare detailed written incident and activity reports using office suite software, ensuring completeness and accuracy for administrative review.
  8. Coordination with staffcommunicate and coordinate actions with relief officers and support staff during shift transitions to maintain seamless security coverage.
  9. Regulatory knowledge applicationapply knowledge of public safety statutes and institutional policy to assess the appropriateness of inmate privileges and restrictions.
  10. Stress managementmaintain composure and self-control during confrontational inmate interactions, modeling professional conduct for newer officers on the housing unit.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Count integrity managementdesign, oversee, and audit inmate count procedures across multiple housing units to eliminate error and ensure accuracy facility-wide.
  2. Security and order maintenanceautonomously enforce discipline protocols for complex or escalating situations, including gang-related incidents, across the full scope of an assigned correctional facility.
  3. Policy enforcement leadershipinterpret ambiguous institutional policies and apply sound judgment to resolve non-routine compliance scenarios without supervisory guidance.
  4. Emergency command presencelead multi-officer emergency response teams during critical incidents such as escapes or riots, directing staff actions and liaising with external agencies.
  5. Critical incident analysisconduct post-incident reviews by synthesizing witness statements, database records, and physical evidence to produce comprehensive reports for facility leadership.
  6. Advanced behavioral assessmentapply knowledge of psychology and social perceptiveness to identify high-risk individuals early and implement proactive management strategies within the housing population.
  7. Technology-driven oversightutilize spreadsheet and database software to analyze trends in disciplinary data, generating actionable intelligence reports for facility administrators.
  8. Staff mentoringcoach developing officers in policy application, communication techniques, and emergency procedures through structured on-the-job guidance on the housing floor.
  9. Interagency coordinationcommunicate effectively with law enforcement, medical, and legal personnel to coordinate inmate transfers, hearings, and emergency responses across institutional boundaries.
  10. Regulatory interpretationresearch and apply relevant law and government directives to ensure facility operations remain in compliance with current legal standards and court orders.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Institutional security strategydevelop and implement facility-wide security frameworks and post-order systems that align with departmental goals and legal mandates across all housing units.
  2. Policy developmentauthor and revise official institutional rules, procedures, and regulations to reflect best practices, legal changes, and lessons learned from critical incidents.
  3. Emergency preparedness programdesign and lead comprehensive emergency response training exercises for all security staff, ensuring readiness for escapes, riots, and mass-casualty events.
  4. Organizational culture of integrityestablish and champion standards of professionalism, dependability, and ethical conduct that shape the behavioral norms of the entire correctional officer workforce.
  5. Workforce developmentcreate structured training curricula and mentoring programs that build officer competency from entry-level through senior ranks across the facility system.
  6. Executive-level reportingsynthesize facility-wide security data from multiple database and spreadsheet platforms into strategic briefings for senior administrators and government oversight bodies.
  7. Cross-agency leadershipdirect collaborative operations with law enforcement, judiciary, and social service agencies to manage complex inmate management challenges at an organizational scale.
  8. Resource and staffing allocationevaluate staffing models, shift schedules, and post configurations to optimize security coverage and officer welfare throughout the entire facility.
  9. Risk and compliance governanceoversee institutional compliance with public safety law, accreditation standards, and administrative regulations, holding unit supervisors accountable for adherence.
  10. Systemic incident reductionanalyze longitudinal behavioral and disciplinary data to lead evidence-based initiatives that measurably reduce inmate violence, escape attempts, and policy violations facility-wide.

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  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
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Source anchors that ground each statement

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RAPIDS apprenticeships
O*NET skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordination
Knowledge domains
Public Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementPsychologyComputers and Electronics
Abilities
Problem SensitivityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningNear Vision
Work styles
DependabilityIntegrityStress ToleranceSelf-ControlCautiousnessAttention to Detail
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
  2. Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations,
  3. Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations
  4. Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
CIP education codes
28.060529.040729.020429.020529.020629.0207

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.