CHIEF DETENTION SPECIALIST - 08312026-80690

State of Tennessee; Jackson (TN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee seeks a Detention Facilities Supervisor to oversee statewide detention facility inspections and correctional training programs. You will supervise staff across regions, coordinate audits, and drive accreditation processes.

Responsibilities include developing training materials, evaluating staff, and ensuring safety and legal standards are met through periodic inspections and partnerships with state agencies.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to a bachelor's degree with 3 years of full-time experience in corrections or related inspection/training.
• Substitution of Experience for Education: one year of relevant experience may substitute for education up to four years.
• Two years full-time professional detention facility inspection and/or correctional training instruction work within the Tennessee Corrections Institute.

Responsibilities

• Oversee audits and documentation for accreditation under the Reentry Success Act of 2021, ensuring compliance before application approval.
• Partner with TCAT and TBR to provide correctional training under the Governor's Tennessee Law Enforcement, Hiring, Training, and Retention Program.
• Manage the examination of correctional facilities to ensure compliance with legal standards and safety, including facility inspections and recommendations for improvements.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate Detention Facility Specialists, ensuring compliance with standards and scheduling of inspections and trainings.
• Facilitate conflict resolution in certification disputes, consulting with legal and governmental officials as needed, and testifying as an expert witness in related lawsuits.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Judgment and Decision Making

Critical Thinking

Writing

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Computer

Printer/Copier/Projector/Fax Machine

Laser Measuring Device

Infrared Temperature Monitor

Vehicle

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 08/31/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 08/31/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 09/06/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $5,647.00 - $9,005.00

Salary (Annually) $67,764.00 - $108,060.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Jackson, TN

Department Tennessee Correction Institute

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: TENNESSEE CORRECTION INSTITUTE, MADISON COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of full-time experience in one or a combination of the following: (1) inspecting and/or assisting with the inspection of detention facilities, (2) administering or managing correctional programs, (3) training or teaching in the field of corrections or (4) monitoring the activities of inmates in a correctional setting of which two years of that experience must be in full-time professional detention facility inspection and/or correctional training instruction work.

Substitution of Experience for Education: One year of full time experience in any one of the following: (1) inspecting and/or assisting with the inspection of detention facilities, (2) administering or managing correctional programs, (3) training or teaching in the field of corrections or (4) monitoring the activities of inmates in a correctional setting may substitute for the required education to a maximum of four years (e.g., experience equivalent to one year of full-time work in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of required education).

OR

Two years full-time professional detention facility inspection and/or correctional training instruction work within the Tennessee Corrections Institute.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Applicants for this classification must be willing to submit to a background check. Applicants must also possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions. Applicants for this classification must supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check.

Examination Method:

Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under direction, performs supervision of detention facility inspections of considerable difficulty and correctional training work of considerable difficulty; and performs related work as required. This is the supervisory level class in the Detention Facilities Specialist series. An employee in this class is responsible for the general supervision and coordination of activities of all Detention Facility Specialists across the State. This includes evaluating and modifying training and inspection program areas, and setting program standards, goals, and objectives. This class differs from that of Detention Facilities Specialist in that an incumbent of the latter is not responsible for supervision of staff working in different regions of the State.

Responsibilities

• Oversee audits and documentation for accreditation under the Reentry Success Act of 2021, ensuring compliance before application approval. Maintain liaison relationships with all jails in assigned districts to provide technical assistance and verify final audit reports for accuracy and conciseness.
• Partner with TCAT and TBR to provide correctional training under the Governor's Tennessee Law Enforcement, Hiring, Training, and Retention Program, ensuring TCI employees meet established requirements.
• Manage the examination of correctional facilities to ensure compliance with legal standards and safety, including facility inspections and recommendations for improvements. Communicate with facility leaders to identify training needs and develop corrective action plans.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate Detention Facility Specialists, ensuring compliance with standards and scheduling of inspections and trainings. Coordinate team activities related to facility inspections and training events.
• Facilitate conflict resolution in certification disputes, consulting with legal and governmental officials as needed, and testifying as an expert witness in related lawsuits. Maintain relationships with key stakeholders to support certification processes and conflict resolution.
• Communicate with various agencies to review and implement new correctional standards and laws. Assist with the development of local correctional partnerships to address current and future needs.
• Provide technical assistance on all aspects of detention facility operations and construction, including improvements to design and materials. Interpret standards and jail data, assisting with facility transitions and policy development.
• Develop and conduct statewide training for jail administrators and policymakers, creating training materials and evaluating training needs. Facilitate training sessions and prepare various training aids and evaluations.
• Manage administrative duties including documentation of training and inspections, development of work plans, and coordination of team activities. Attend and participate in relevant meetings to discuss local jail issues.
• Continuously research best practices for correctional facilities and training, sharing insights with staff and attending relevant trainings and meetings to enhance knowledge.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies

• Manages Conflict
• Builds Effective Teams
• Business Insight
• Being Resilient
• Communicates Effectively

Knowledges

• Administration and Management
• Building and Construction
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mechanical
• Production and Processing

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Time Management

Abilities

• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Visualization
• Control Precision

Tools & Equipment

• Computer
• Printer/Copier/Projector/Fax Machine
• Laser Measuring Device
• Infrared Temperature Monitor
• Vehicle

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

• Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.