How to hire a classification officer

How to hire a classification officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step classification officer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a classification officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new classification officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a classification officer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your classification officer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a classification officer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A classification officer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, classification officers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents classification officer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Classification Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Classification Officer	Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms.	$11-33
   Corporal	A police corporal is a person who leads a team or squad depending on how many corporals are there in a platoon. Police corporals supervise the performance of the police personnel assigned under their command... Show more	$14-42
   Corrections Deputy	A corrections deputy assists senior officers in overseeing the daily activities in jail or prisons and keeps order by enforcing strict rules and regulations. They must observe the inmates' behavior and progress in different programs, monitor any suspicious behavior, conduct routine inspections on cells, and coordinate with co-workers to maintain security... Show more	$15-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Telephone Inquiries
   • Correctional Facilities
   • Background Checks
   • Mental Health
   • Classification System
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Classification Committee
   • Disciplinary Hearings
   • Court Hearings
   • Social Services
   • Release Dates
   • Program Participation
   • Classification Process
   • Direct Supervision

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Analyze and send release/entry data to CBP via ABI.
   • Develop a written procedure for associates handling FDA files.
   • Balance and report daily inmate count for the correctional facility.
   • Transmit accurate FDA information with and without FDA prior notice.
   • Retrieve cmis agendas & process call-outs on Monday for Thursday committee.
   • Organize and prioritize FTA requests provide by client and shipment reports.

   More classification officer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your classification officer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A classification officer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a classification officer in Mississippi may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level classification officer usually earns less than a senior-level classification officer. Additionally, a classification officer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average classification officer salary

   $41,484yearly

   $19.94 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level classification officer salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 24, 2026

   Average classification officer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$52,275	$25
   2	Virginia	$39,402	$19
   3	Arizona	$38,925	$19
   4	New Mexico	$37,843	$18
   5	Colorado	$36,072	$17
   6	Florida	$34,011	$16
   7	Georgia	$29,673	$14
   8	Oklahoma	$29,623	$14
   9	Kentucky	$27,621	$13

   Average classification officer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	ABB	$90,835	$43.67	51
   2	Parsons	$89,965	$43.25	16
   3	ManTech	$68,003	$32.69	27
   4	Zenetex	$65,760	$31.62
   5	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$51,022	$24.53
   6	Pico de Gallo	$41,461	$19.93	52
   7	Maine	$37,638	$18.10	4
   8	The GEO Group	$35,936	$17.28	133
   9	Management & Training	$34,439	$16.56	39
   10	State Of Florida	$33,629	$16.17	234
   11	Florida Dept. of Health	$33,329	$16.02
   12	My Florida Regional Mls	$32,596	$15.67
   13	Florida Department of Transportation	$31,771	$15.27

4. Writing a classification officer job description

   A good classification officer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a classification officer job description:

   Classification officer job description example

   Starting pay for this position is currently $17.00 dollars an hour.
   
   Make a difference in people's lives by joining a company with values that match your own.
   
   Management & Training Corporation is hiring a Chief of Classification at Gregory S. Coleman Unit , located in Lockhart, Texas.
   
   At the Gregory S. Coleman Unit our foundation is based upon the philosophy of Believe It Or Not I Care (B.I.O.N.I.C.). We provide a safe and secure working environment for our staff while helping an at-risk population receive the tools necessary for success on their road back to a healthy, productive life.
   
   Education and Experience Requirements:
   
   

   • Bachelor's Degree from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the United States Department of Education (USDE).
   • Major course work in a Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, or related field preferred.
   • Each year of experience as described below in excess of the required three (3) years may be substituted for thirty (30) semester hours from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis.
   • Three (3) years full-time, wage-earning correctional custody, law enforcement, Offender case management, or correctional unit operations experience.
   • One (1) year full-time, wage earning Offender classification experience required.
   • Valid driver's license in the state of Texas with an acceptable driving record required, unless waived by management.

   Our MTC Team Member Benefits Include:

   • Medical, dental and vision, and prescription drug benefits
   • Life insurance
   • Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
   • Short-term and long-term disability benefits
   • 401(k) retirement plan
   • Employee assistance program
   • Paid time off (PTO)
   • Paid holidays
   • Bereavement leave
   • Civic duty and military leave
   • Education assistance

   
   Position Summary:
   

   • Reports to the Assistant Warden.
     
   • Supervises the count room clerks.
     
   • Responsible for the management of classification, which includes case management and reception/discharge procedures in compliance with Management & Training Corporation (MTC) and Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) directives.

   #ZR #TALENT
   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right classification officer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your classification officer job on Zippia to find and recruit classification officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with classification officer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new classification officer

   Once you've selected the best classification officer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new classification officer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a classification officer?