5 Amazing correctional officer Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

Being an authority figure in a jail or prison is a big responsibility. You must be able to keep a cool head and enforce rules fairly. You can use the same approach when writing your correctional officer resume. Our expert tips can help you create your document the right way with as little trouble as possible. A lot can happen in six seconds. In fact, that's about all the time recruiters spend looking at your resume, so you need one that grabs their attention. The templates provided give you a fast, easy method for ensuring you have included all the information your resume needs. A good resume sample can give you ideas about how to revise your draft so that it's more than just a list of the jobs you've had and the training you've completed. The end result is a polished resume that improves your chances of getting an interview for your next security position.

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correctional officer: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Professional Summary

Highly motivated and experienced Correctional Officer with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Proven ability to maintain safety and security in a correctional facility through sound judgement and effective decision-making.

Employment history

Senior Correctional Officer, Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Maryland

June 2015 – Present

Conduct regular security checks of the facility
Respond to emergency situations
Perform administrative duties as assigned

Correctional Officer, Raytheon Waltham, Massachusetts

January 2014 – May 2015

Provide training to new personnel
Provide physical and mental health care to inmates
Monitor and control inmate behavior

Jr. Correctional Officer, Booz Allen Hamilton McLean, Virginia

July 2012 – December 2013

Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Respond to emergency situations
Escort inmates to and from court appearances

Education

U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut

Emergency Management Certificate, May, 2012

Skills

Stress Management

Documentation

Training

Planning

Tactical Training

Physical Fitness

Law Enforcement Procedures

Investigative Techniques

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Professional Summary

A highly motivated and experienced Correctional Officer with a proven track record of providing security and safety in a correctional setting. Experienced in maintaining order, enforcing rules and regulations, and providing rehabilitation services to inmates.

Employment history

Lead Correctional Officer, SAIC Reston, Virginia

May 2013 – Present

Perform administrative duties as assigned
Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Provide physical and mental health care to inmates

Correctional Officer, L-3 Communications New York, New York

December 2011 – April 2013

Provide physical and mental health care to inmates
Supervise inmate work assignments
Enforce rules and regulations

Junior Correctional Officer, L-3 Communications New York, New York

December 2010 – November 2011

Monitor and control inmate behavior
Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Enforce rules and regulations

Education

U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School, Quantico, Virginia

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, October, 2010

Skills

Accounting

Critical Thinking

Presentation

Creativity

Weapons Handling

Evidence Collection

Use of Force

Radio Communications.

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Employment history

Senior Correctional Officer, Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Maryland

December 2020 – Present

Perform administrative duties as assigned
Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Enforce rules and regulations

Associate Correctional Officer, Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Maryland

December 2019 – November 2020

Supervise inmate work assignments
Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Escort inmates to and from court appearances

Jr. Correctional Officer, US Navy Washington, D.C.

December 2018 – November 2019

Conduct regular security checks of the facility
Perform searches of inmates and their cells
Ensure the safety and security of inmates and staff

Education

U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut

Bachelor of Science in Intelligence Analysis, October, 2018

Skills

Public Speaking

Accounting

Professionalism

Documentation

Self-Defense

Surveillance

Patrol

Physical Fitness

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Professional Summary

A dedicated and highly motivated professional with extensive experience in correctional officer roles. Committed to ensuring public safety and upholding the law through effective oversight of inmates and security operations.

Employment history

Senior Correctional Officer, Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Maryland

December 2013 – Present

Escort inmates to and from court appearances
Document and report inmate activities
Conduct regular security checks of the facility

Associate Correctional Officer, Northrop Grumman Falls Church, Virginia

June 2013 – November 2013

Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Monitor and control inmate behavior
Enforce rules and regulations

Entry Level Correctional Officer, L-3 Communications New York, New York

November 2012 – May 2013

Perform administrative duties as assigned
Provide counseling and guidance to inmates
Escort inmates to and from court appearances

Education

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California

Doctor of Philosophy in Intelligence Analysis, September, 2012

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, October, 2008

Skills

Interpersonal

Leadership

Training

Emotional Intelligence

Radio Communications.

Physical Fitness

Report Writing

Patrol

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Employment history

Chief Correctional Officer, Booz Allen Hamilton McLean, Virginia

August 2023 – Present

Document and report inmate activities
Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Ensure the safety and security of inmates and staff

Correctional Officer, Booz Allen Hamilton McLean, Virginia

August 2022 – July 2023

Escort inmates to and from court appearances
Maintain order in the facility
Enforce rules and regulations

Jr. Correctional Officer, Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Maryland

March 2021 – July 2022

Monitor and control inmate behavior
Escort inmates to and from court appearances
Perform administrative duties as assigned

Education

U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, Arizona

Doctor of Philosophy in Intelligence Analysis, January, 2021

U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, Arizona

Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management, January, 2017

Skills

Listening

Analytical

Mentoring

Accounting

Law Enforcement Procedures

Weapons Handling

Surveillance

Emergency Response

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correctional officer Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an correctional officer position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

correctional officer

Evaluate inmates to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
Care, Custody and Control
Being Fair, Firm and Consistant
Being Observant over the facility and movement of Inmates
The ability to work with a variety of people
Communication, Time Management and Adaptability are other qualities applied

senior correctional officer

Enforce Bureau of Prison policies and procedures to maintain safety and security.
Supervisor and counselor for inmates.
Monitor and report all activities and incidents of inmates.
Prepare precise logs and maintain safe and clean work environment.

correctional officer

Care, custody, and control of dorms and cells blocks of inmates
Prescribe basic medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.)
Supervise meal hall
Enforce rules and regulations
Perform security checks
Perform lockers/cell searches
Perform perimeter checks

correctional officer

Maintain order and enforce rules to within the facility.
Learn all rules and regulations of the facility.
Supervise activity of all inamtes.
Search inmates for cintraband items.
Report on inmate condcut.
Aid in rehabilitaion and counseling of offenders.

correctional officer

Maintain order, displine, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, polices, and laws.
Take, Receive, or check periodicinmate counts.
Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.
Complete administrative paperwork or supervise the preparation or maintenance of records, forms, or reports.

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correctional officer Job Skills

For an correctional officer position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Patrol
Surveillance
Weapons Handling
Physical Fitness
Self-Defense
Self-Discipline
First Aid
CPR
Tactical Training
Report Writing
Evidence Collection
Arrest Procedures
Interrogation Techniques
Emergency Response
Conflict Resolution
Computer Proficiency
Surveillance Techniques
Use of Force
Law Enforcement Procedures
Investigative Techniques
Radio Communications.

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your correctional officer Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Senior Correctional Officer, Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Maryland

March 2010 – May 2022

Ensure the safety and security of inmates and staff
Enforce rules and regulations
Investigate and report any suspicious activity

Correctional Officer, L-3 Communications New York, New York

March 2009 – February 2010

Provide physical and mental health care to inmates
Investigate and report any suspicious activity
Ensure the safety and security of inmates and staff

Jr. Correctional Officer, US Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C.

September 2008 – February 2009

Education

U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut

Doctor of Philosophy in Corrections, July, 2008

U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut

Bachelor of Science in Security Management, July, 2004

Skills

Time Management

Self-Motivation

Business Acumen

Mentoring

Tactical Training

Arrest Procedures

Self-Discipline

CPR

Unexplained Year Gaps and Missing Job Experiences are a No-no

Gaps in your resume can prevent recruiters from hiring you if you don't explain them.

Key Insights

It's okay to have gaps in your work experience but always offer a valid explanation instead of just hiding it.
Use the gap to talk about positive attributes or additional skills you've learned.
Be honest and straightforward about the gap and explain it using a professional summary.

How to Optimize Your correctional officer Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Senior Correctional Officer, Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Maryland

April 2018 – Present

Documment and reporte inmatee activitiees.
Investigate, and reporten any suspiscious activity.
Performe searchees of inmates an their celles.

Associate Correctional Officer, US Army Corps of Engineers Washington, D.C.

September 2017 – March 2018

Mointor n' controll inmate behavour.
Supervise inmate work assignements.
Perform administrive dutys as assign'd.

Entry Level Correctional Officer, US Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C.

September 2016 – August 2017

Docement an report inmante activites.
escort inmates too and from court appearances.
Perform searchez of inmatez n' their cellz.

Education

U.S. Army Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science, July, 2016

Skills

Database Management

Business Acumen

Public Speaking

Collaboration

Weapons Handling

Evidence Collection

First Aid

Use of Force

Avoid Spelling Mistakes and Include your Contact Information

Missing contact information prevents recruiters from understanding you're the best fit for the position.

Key Insights

Make sure you're not missing contact information on your resume. That should include your full name, telephone number and email address.
Make sure to use a professional email address as part of your contact information.
Highlight your contact information and double check that everything is accurate to help recruiters get in touch with you.

correctional officer Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an correctional officer position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Senior Correctional Officer
Raytheon
Waltham, Massachusetts

Esteemed Recruitment Team

I am excited to apply for the Senior Correctional Officer position at Raytheon. As a highly skilled Correctional Officer with 11 years of experience in Law Enforcement & Military & Security, I am confident that I can contribute significantly to your organization.

Growing up, I always had a fascination with Intelligence Analysis. As I pursued my education and gained experience in this field, I realized that this was where I could make the most impact. I have had the opportunity to work on things throughout my career like personal projects and voluntary work, which have developed in me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this field. I am excited to bring my passion and expertise to the role at and help your organization achieve its goals.

I cannot stress enough how thrilled I am about the chance to join a team of like-minded individuals who share my values and passion for this amazing field. Thank you for considering my application and I hope for the chance to work together.

Thank you for your time,
Tony Peters
787-824-2689
[email protected]

Tony Peters

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