Correctional Captain

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a seasoned Correctional Captain to lead custodial security staff at a juvenile detention facility in Bowling Green. This executive-branch, full-time role demands maturity, reliability, and strong leadership to maintain safety and order.

The position emphasizes incident reporting, staff development, and coordination with management, with extensive training opportunities and potential for overtime within a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• Education: High school graduate.
• Three years of experience in corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, or related field.
• At least one year in a supervisory capacity in a custodial security setting.
• Substitution options: associate or bachelor's degree may substitute for experience.
• Must be twenty-one years of age and have a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Supervises custodial security staff on an assigned shift in a juvenile detention facility.
• Coordinates staff schedules and monitors performance to ensure policy compliance.
• Documents incidents and behavior; briefs oncoming staff and transports youths as needed.
• Attends meetings and trainings; ensures subordinate training and prepares administrative reports.
• Performs other physical efforts in assisting youth with projects.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Detention operations

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes

10/29/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job ID

req82011

Correctional Captain

Pay Grade

14

Salary

$57,288.96 Annually
Locality Premium – $5.228 per hour
Shift Premium - $2.13 per hour between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Shift Premium - $1.13 per hour between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
Weekend Premium - $2.13 per hour
Holiday Premium - $2.13 per hour

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 40.0 HR/WK

Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Juvenile Justice

Location

1020 Kentucky Street Bowling Green, KY 42101 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves juveniles of theCommonwealth. While striving to hold youth accountable for their actions, the Department creates opportunitiesfor sentenced, committed, probated, or detained youth to develop social and career skills that will equip themfor re-entry into their communities as productive and responsible citizens.

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice seeks to serve youth in the least restrictive, appropriateplacement possible. We aspire to be a premier team of professionals committed to providing life-changingservices resulting in the positive transformation of children, families, and communities.

For more information about the Department of Juvenile Justice please visit: https://djj.ky.gov/

This is a highly responsible position in the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The employee is expected toperform all duties to the best of their ability, act in a responsible manner at all times, demonstrateleadership qualities, and treat all staff, youth, and persons with respect. This is a demanding position thatrequires maturity, reliability, and self-discipline. Career growth and advancement are encouraged throughtraining and mentoring opportunities.

Please be advised that although medical cannabis has been legalized in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, due toother applicable state or federal laws, employees in this position are prohibited from using medical cannabis.If you need additional information about this prohibition, you may contact the agency point of contact foradditional information.

Responsibilities

• Supervises all custodial security staff on an assigned shift in a juvenile detention facility.
• Supervises assigned security staff during shift and coordinates staff schedules; monitors performance and ensures policies and procedures are carried out.
• Monitors juveniles' behavior and recommends alternative behavior plans. Reports, documents and uplines unusual events and behaviors to management.
• Prepares and reviews incident reports and other documentation necessary for daily operation; reviews juvenile records for treatment methods and documentation; briefs oncoming staff. Transports juveniles as needed.
• Attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings as required; ensures proper subordinate training.
• Compiles administrative reports and informs supervisors of issues and concerns.
• Perform other physical efforts in assisting youth with recreational and work-related projects.

Additional Information

• This position is deemed essential and has been designated for mandatory operations by the Appointing Authority; therefore, the incumbent is not eligible for Adverse Weather Leave.
• May be required to work overtime and any shift as needed and directed.
• Required to successfully complete the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy; which entails two weeks on the job training, four weeks (Monday – Friday) at the academy training location (Louisville, Kentucky). Overnight lodging and travel is required for the ACT and provided by the department.
• Applicants are required to successfully pass a physical examination and be able to perform all essential jobfunctions, with or without reasonable accommodation. The cost of the physical examination will be billedthrough the employee’s health insurance; however, any applicable co-pays will be reimbursed by the department.For additional information, please contact the program’s administrative staff.

This position has an approved Locality Premium of $5.228, based on the organizational structure and work county it is currently assigned to, in compliance with 101 KAR 2:034 Section 9(1).

Shift Premiums

This job classification is approved for the following shift premiums, in compliance with 101 KAR 2:034 Section 9(2), which are applied to the base salary:

• Shift Premium - $2.13 an hour between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
• Shift Premium $1.13 an hour between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
• Weekend Premium - $2.13 per hour
• Holiday Premium - $2.13 per hour

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: High school graduate.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Must have three years of experience in corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, social work dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders, or in the supervision and care of young adults (ages 12-21) in a residential, correctional, group home, detention or day treatment program or any combination of the above. At least one year of the experience must have been in a supervisory capacity in a custodial security setting.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: An associate's degree from a college or university in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related field will substitute for six months of the required non-supervisory experience. A bachelor's degree from a college or university in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related field will substitute for one year of the required non-supervisory experience. For the Department of Juvenile Justice, successful completion of the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy or equivalent training program approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Must be twenty-one years of age. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license to qualify for employment in this job classification. Must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment in this job classification. Employing agency is responsible for ensuring employee possesses and maintains required licensure(s), certification(s) or other credentials.

Working Conditions

Work environment is hazardous due to working in a state correctional facility with convicted felons or in a juvenile detention facility.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Robert Barron at [e-mail] or [phone].

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D