Career Progression Program
Program Overview
- Improve job skills for current roles
- Grow as leaders to prepare for promotion in corrections
- Complete the program on their own schedules
- Enroll in one of four career tracks to customize training
Four Tracks of Career Progression
The Case Manager track consists of approximately 27 hours of virtual courses and tests. Some coursework may contain discussions, examples, or situations unrelated to law enforcement; however, all content can still be considered relevant to the role of a case manager. Training is selected to help develop or enhance the skills of a Case Manager and provide an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Topics selected include:
- Teamwork and Communication
- Documentation
- Case Management
- Mentorship
The Correctional Officer (CO) track consists of approximately 15 hours of virtual courses and tests. Some coursework may include discussions, examples, or situations unrelated to law enforcement; however, all content can still be considered relevant to the role of a CO. Training is selected to develop or enhance a CO's skills and to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. Topics selected include:
- De-escalation
- Teamwork and Communication
- Documentation
- Law Enforcement
The Food Service Officer track consists of approximately 31 hours of virtual courses and tests. Some coursework may include discussions, examples, or situations unrelated to law enforcement; however, all content can still be considered relevant to the role of a Food Service Officer. Training is selected to develop or enhance a Food Service Officer's skills and to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. Topics selected include:
- Teamwork and Communication
- Documentation
- Food Service Safety and Protocols
The Probation and Parole Officers track consists of 30 hours of training comprised of multiple external sources. Some coursework may contain discussions, examples, or situations not related to law enforcement; however, all content can still be considered relevant to the role of a probation and parole officer. Training was selected to help develop or enhance the skills of a PPO. Content from a variety of topics is designed to improve offender supervision, increase public safety, and provide an opportunity for officers to grow both personally and professionally. Topics selected include:
- Time Management
- Wellness
- Communication
- Law Enforcement
- Case Management
Program Eligibility
Participants must:
- Maintain a "Meets" or "Exceeds" performance rating when registering for and participating in the program
- Have no current disciplinary actions, written warnings, pending investigations, or time management issues
- Maintain criminal justice certification during the program
- Have completed 12 months of service for the correctional officer, food service officer, and case manager tracks, or 24 months of service for the probation/parole officer track
- Complete a Registration Form & Letter of Acknowledgement covering requirements and eligibility.
For program and eligibility questions, Institutions staff can contact their facility's administrative officer or email CareerProgressionProgramInfo@dac.nc.gov. Community Supervision staff should speak to their supervisor or email to CareerProgression@dac.nc.gov.
"I would recommend this program to my coworkers. The self-paced modules made it easy to learn and retain the information."
Kyra Neuman, Career Progression Participant
Steps to Program Completion
The Career Progression program is self-paced and self-monitored. To complete the program, participants must:
- Complete courses in their designated career track
- Complete a self-assessment that documents completion of the coursework and states your ability to perform these new skills and tasks
- Complete a review session to share lessons learned and provide feedback
After completing the program, participants will earn a certificate of completion and insignia.
How to Register
- Go to FIORI and log in using your NCID – just as you would to check benefits and your pay stub.
- Click on LMS & NCVIP at the top of the webpage.
- Click on the LMS & NCVIP white box and Submit on the next screen.
- Once in the NC Learning Center (Learning Management System), hover over DAC Career Progression in the main menu and click Career Progression Program, which will take you to the Career Progression main page.
- Register for the program. When you complete the registration and your eligibility is confirmed, you will be able to start the program.
For LMS course issues, email Crystal.Lupton@dac.nc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility and Participation
The Career Progression Program is available to the following Institutional positions:
- Correctional Officers (CO)
- Food Service Officers (FSO)
- Case Managers (CM)
To be eligible, employees must meet all the following criteria at the time of registration and throughout the program:
- Completed a minimum of 12 months of active service, measured by the Basic Correctional Officer Training graduation date.
- Received an overall NCVIP performance rating of “Successful” or “Outstanding Performer” for the most recent annual evaluation and must maintain this rating throughout participation.
- No active or pending documented counseling, active time management issues, or disciplinary action (Unsatisfactory Job Performance, Grossly Inefficient Job Performance, or Unacceptable Personal Conduct).
- No active or pending investigation for the matters listed above.
- Current and valid Criminal Justice certification (including annual recertification).
Note: Per DAC Policy DAC-WFM-200, the performance standard referenced is “Meets” or “Exceeds” expectations. The Institutions SOP aligns this to the NCVIP designations of “Successful” or “Outstanding Performer”.
No. The Career Progression Program is entirely voluntary, self-initiated, and self-paced. Employees choose to enroll on their own and proceed through the program at a pace that works for them within established deadlines.
Supervisor approval is not required to register. However, your Administrative Officer (AO) will be notified when you register and will verify your eligibility. In-person training sessions, if applicable, will require coordination with your supervisor for scheduling.
No. Employees may only register for the Career Progression track that corresponds to the position they currently hold. • Correctional Officers must enroll in the CO track. • Food Service Officers must enroll in the FSO track. • Case Managers must enroll in the CM track. Each track is specifically designed to build the knowledge and skills relevant to that role.
Yes, but you must first complete a minimum of 12 months of active service in your new position before enrolling in the corresponding Career Progression track. The 12-month requirement begins from your effective date in the new role.
If a break in employment caused your Criminal Justice certification to expire, you must complete the required training to regain certification and may be required to complete 12 months of service from the date it is reinstated. If you rejoined the department before your certification expired, prior service may be credited toward the 12-month eligibility requirement, provided service is continuous or combined with service after returning.
Registration and Getting Started
Follow these steps to enroll:
- Log in to LMS and select the Career Progression tab at the top left of the page (next to HOME).
- Scroll down to the Institutions Resources section (left-hand column) and click the Orientation link.
- Complete the Career Progression Orientation, which covers eligibility requirements, program steps, and completion benefits.
- If you choose to proceed, click the Institutions Smartsheet Registration Link at the end of Orientation.
- Your Administrative Officer will review and verify your eligibility. Once approved, the Employee Engagement team will assign your first training cohort in LMS.
Note: If you do not meet eligibility requirements, your Administrative Officer will notify you in writing via email or sealed hard copy through internal mail
After submitting your registration, your Administrative Officer will confirm your eligibility through Smartsheet. Once verified, the Employee Engagement team will assign the first of three training cohorts in LMS. You will then begin coursework according to the established timeline.
Training and Timeline
The program is designed to take at least 12 months, beginning with the assignment of the first training cohort and concluding with the completion of all three cohorts and the Regional Review Discussion.
The curriculum is structured in three stages (cohorts), each with an approximate two-month completion period:
- Cohort 1: Assigned upon eligibility approval.
- Cohort 2: Assigned approximately two months after Cohort 1.
- Cohort 3: Assigned approximately two months after Cohort 2.
- Self-Assessment: Submitted after completion of all three cohorts.
- Regional Review Discussion Questionnaire: Assigned and completed following the self-assessment.
- Recognition: Eligible employees receive their certificate and insignia upon program completion.
Note: See the timeline example in SOP DAC-HR-400-04 for month-by-month guidance based on your registration date.
If circumstances prevent completion of the program within 12 months of enrollment, you may request a one-time extension of up to six months. The request must be submitted in writing to your Administrative Officer and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A written decision will be provided.
If no extension is requested and no activity is recorded within 12 months of enrollment, your registration will be considered inactive.
The program includes elective training designed to expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities within your current role and support your professional development. Training is self-paced and delivered through LMS in three cohort stages.
Coursework may include e-learning modules and, where applicable, in-person classes scheduled through LMS with supervisor coordination. Training is designed not to interfere with your job duties or performance.
Self-Assessment and Review
Once you have completed all three training cohorts, you must:
- Download your course completion certificate from LMS.
- Complete and electronically submit the Self-Assessment Smartsheet in LMS, which acknowledges your ability to demonstrate each competency area. Attach your course completion certificate.
- Your Administrative Officer will verify your continued eligibility and forward your registration, self-assessment, and course completion transcript to the Regional Review Committee.
- You will then be assigned the Regional Review Discussion questionnaire in LMS, which you must complete and submit electronically.
The Review Committee is a designated group of leaders and regional staff responsible for:
- Maintaining consistency across all participating Divisions and ensuring fair and equitable treatment of staff.
- Providing participants with opportunities to discuss the development of new skills and knowledge, share their experiences within the program, and offer suggestions for program improvement.
Note: Per Policy DAC-WFM-200, the committee interview is structured to receive program feedback and is not scored or rated.
You will hear from the Review Committee after you complete your Review Discussion Questionnaire in LMS. (*Institution staff, if your personal email address is unavailable, the RBO will coordinate with your Facility Administrative Officer to ensure the message is delivered.)
Program Interruption and Suspension
If you no longer meet eligibility requirements at any point during the program, your participation will be paused. Your track will remain on hold until the issue is resolved, including any applicable corrective action timeframes. Participation may be suspended for any of the following reasons:
- Your overall NCVIP performance rating falls below “Successful.”
- You are placed under active investigation.
- You receive documented counseling or disciplinary action.
- You fail to maintain the required criminal justice certification.
Your Administrative Officer will notify you of your suspension in writing via email or sealed hard copy via internal mail and will also notify the Employee Engagement team.
Note: Once the issue is resolved, you may request to resume the program from where you left off. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis per Policy DAC-WFM-200.
The program is for active correctional officers, correctional food service officers, and correctional case managers. In these circumstances, you would no longer be eligible to continue in the program.
Recognition and Program Benefits
Employees who complete the program will receive:
- A letter of commendation from the Deputy Secretary of Operations or the Deputy Secretary of Administration, Programs & Standards.
- A Certificate of Completion signed by work location leadership, to be presented at the employee’s workplace in front of their coworkers.
- A recognition insignia specific to their track:
- Correctional Officers: A designated Velcro insignia worn on the officer’s vest above the name tag and provided by the workplace.
- Case Managers: A First-Class Career Progression lapel pin issued by the Office of Employee Engagement and delivered via courier mail to the employee’s work location.
- Food Service Officers: A designated Velcro insignia worn on the officer’s vest above the name tag and provided by the workplace.
Because the pay scales for these three positions are established pursuant to state statute, participation in this program will not result in an increase to your annual salary.
Completion of the program may be beneficial when applying for promotion, as it demonstrates initiative in professional development through participation in additional training, including the Career Progression Program. Participation must be documented in the application to receive consideration and does not guarantee an interview or selection.
Additional benefits include:
- Enhanced readiness for promotional opportunities
- Expanded knowledge and skills directly applicable to the employee’s current role
- Formal recognition of commitment to professional development
- A structured pathway for career growth within DAC
- Demonstrated initiative that may support future advancement
The Career Progression program has evolved over time. The current program focuses on providing certified staff with professional development and leadership development opportunities.
Contacts and Additional Resources
For program questions, Institutions staff can contact their facility's administrative officer or email CareerProgressionProgramInfo@dac.nc.gov. Community Supervision staff should speak to their supervisor or email CareerProgression@dac.nc.gov.
For LMS course questions, please contact Crystal.Lupton@dac.nc.gov.
Complete the Career Progression Orientation Course in LMS before registering. The orientation provides a full overview of the program, including eligibility requirements, what to expect during training, the review process, and the recognition received upon completion. The orientation is the recommended first step, even if you are not yet sure you want to participate.
- Institutions staff can contact their facility's administrative officer or email CareerProgressionProgramInfo@dac.nc.gov.
- Community Supervision staff should speak to their supervisor or email CareerProgression@dac.nc.gov.
- LMS Course Issues - Crystal.Lupton@dac.nc.gov