First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Sample of reported job titles:
Captain, Deputy Sheriff, Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant, Patrol Sergeant, Police Captain, Police Chief, Police Lieutenant, Police Sergeant, Shift Supervisor
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Tasks
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Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
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Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
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Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
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Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
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Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
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Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
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Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
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Train staff in proper police work procedures.
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Discipline staff for violation of department rules and regulations.
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Monitor and evaluate the job performance of subordinates, and authorize promotions and transfers.
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Review contents of written orders to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
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Conduct raids and order detention of witnesses and suspects for questioning.
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Cooperate with court personnel and officials from other law enforcement agencies and testify in court, as necessary.
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Meet with civic, educational, and community groups to develop community programs and events, and to discuss law enforcement subjects.
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Inspect facilities, supplies, vehicles, and equipment to ensure conformance to standards.
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Direct release or transfer of prisoners.
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Requisition and issue equipment and supplies.
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Develop, implement, and revise departmental policies and procedures.
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Prepare news releases and respond to police correspondence.
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Prepare budgets and manage expenditures of department funds.
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Technology Skills
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Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software
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Data base user interface and query software — Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS; Microsoft Access
; National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database; Spillman Technologies Records Management
; 2 more
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Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook
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Graphics or photo imaging software — Computer aided composite drawing software; DesignWare 3D EyeWitness; SmartDraw Legal; The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
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Helpdesk or call center software — Computer aided dispatch software
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Internet browser software — Microsoft Internet Explorer
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Map creation software — Crime mapping software
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Office suite software — Corel WordPerfect Office Suite; Microsoft Office software
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Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
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Process mapping and design software — Microsoft Visio
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Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
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Web platform development software — Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
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Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.
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Work Activities
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Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
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Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
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Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
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Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
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Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
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Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
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Detailed Work Activities
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Direct criminal investigations.
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Prepare activity or work schedules.
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Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures.
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Resolve interpersonal conflicts.
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Train employees in proper work procedures.
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Maintain operational records.
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Write operational reports.
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Direct law enforcement activities.
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Inform others about laws or regulations.
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Evaluate employee performance.
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Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations.
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Apprehend criminal suspects.
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Detain suspects or witnesses.
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Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information.
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Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
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Collaborate with outside groups to develop programs or projects.
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Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
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Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations.
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Prepare investigation or incident reports.
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Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
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Work Context
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Telephone — 100% responded “Every day.”
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Electronic Mail — 95% responded “Every day.”
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Face-to-Face Discussions — 96% responded “Every day.”
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Deal With External Customers — 89% responded “Extremely important.”
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Contact With Others — 78% responded “Constant contact with others.”
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Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 70% responded “Very important results.”
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In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — 70% responded “Every day.”
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Frequency of Decision Making — 73% responded “Every day.”
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Freedom to Make Decisions — 61% responded “A lot of freedom.”
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Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 47% responded “Every day.”
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Work With Work Group or Team — 47% responded “Very important.”
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Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 62% responded “Every day.”
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Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — 43% responded “High responsibility.”
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Frequency of Conflict Situations — 51% responded “Every day.”
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Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 61% responded “Extremely important.”
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Physical Proximity — 43% responded “Very close (near touching).”
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Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 46% responded “High responsibility.”
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Coordinate or Lead Others — 54% responded “Very important.”
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Duration of Typical Work Week — 56% responded “More than 40 hours.”
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Structured versus Unstructured Work — 49% responded “A lot of freedom.”
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Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 55% responded “Every day.”
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Consequence of Error — 59% responded “Extremely serious.”
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Exposed to Hazardous Equipment — 40% responded “Every day.”
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Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 35% responded “Every day.”
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Letters and Memos — 34% responded “Every day.”
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Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 41% responded “Every day.”
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Exposed to Disease or Infections — 27% responded “Every day.”
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Time Pressure — 34% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — 46% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Spend Time Sitting — 52% responded “More than half the time.”
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Deal With Physically Aggressive People — 40% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 36% responded “Extremely important.”
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Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting — 27% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 29% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Level of Competition — 54% responded “Moderately competitive.”
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Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled — 28% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
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Public Speaking — 44% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
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Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection — 36% responded “Every day.”
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Exposed to Contaminants — 28% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
- Related Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Job Zone Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- SVP Range
- (4.0 to < 6.0)
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Training & Credentials
- State training
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- Local training
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- Certifications
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Apprenticeship Opportunities
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Skills
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Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
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Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
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Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
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Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
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Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
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Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
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Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
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Knowledge
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Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
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Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Sociology and Anthropology — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
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Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Therapy and Counseling — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
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Personnel and Human Resources — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
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Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
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Abilities
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Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
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Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
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Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
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Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
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Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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Memorization — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
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Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
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Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
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Speed of Closure — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
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Interests
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Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Work Values
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Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
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Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
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Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
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Work Styles
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Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
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Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
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Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
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Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
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Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
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Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
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Wages & Employment Trends
- Median wages (2023)
- $48.92 hourly, $101,750 annual
- State wages
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- Local wages
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- Employment (2023)
- 144,500 employees
- Projected growth (2023-2033)
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Average (3% to 5%)
- Projected job openings (2023-2033)
- 10,000
- State trends
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- Top industries (2023)
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data
external site and 2023-2033 employment projections
external site.
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2023-2033). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
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Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
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- Local job openings
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Professional Associations
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