Career Progression FAQs for Institutions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility and Participation

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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