Correctional Lieutenant

Kentucky Transportation; Columbia (KY); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Locality premium $5.228/hr

Shift premium 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.

Shift premium 11:01 p.m.–6:59 a.m.

Weekend premium $2.13/hr

Holiday premium $2.13/hr

Job summary

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a Correctional Lieutenant in Columbia, KY to supervise institutional operations, lead a shift in the absence of a Shift Captain, and oversee youth activities. The role requires leadership, discipline, and the ability to document incidents and communicate with staff and youth.

Columbia, KY is the designated location, with professional growth opportunities and mentoring within the agency.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in corrections, law enforcement, or juvenile justice.
• Experience supervising staff and overseeing youth in residential or detentions settings.
• Ability to document incidents and communicate effectively with staff and youth.

Responsibilities

• Supervise institutional operations and shifts in the absence of a Shift Captain.
• Co-lead group counseling sessions and monitor activities of DJJ youth.
• Maintain shift logs, complete incident reports, and assist youths in complaint procedures.

Skills

Correctional experience

Leadership

Education

Associate's degree in corrections or related field

Bachelor's degree in corrections or related field

Job description

Advertisement Closes 8/30/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

req80651

Correctional Lieutenant

Pay Grade 12

Salary $47,346.72 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 401 Appleby Drive Columbia, KY 42728 USA

Description

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

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice seeks to serve youth in the least restrictive, appropriate placement possible. We aspire to be a premier team of professionals committed to providing life‑changing services 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 to perform all duties to the best of their ability, act in a responsible manner at all times, demonstrate leadership qualities, and treat all staff, youth, and persons with respect. This is a demanding position that requires maturity, reliability, and self-discipline. Career growth and advancement are encouraged through training and mentoring opportunities.

Please be advised that although medical cannabis has been legalized in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, due to other 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 for additional information.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To, The Following

• Serves as supervisor of institutional operations and supervises a shift in the absence of a Shift Captain, co-leads group counseling sessions and supervises/monitors activities of juveniles within the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
• Supervises and monitors activities of DJJ juveniles; handles routine disciplinary problems and investigates all unusual occurrences; co-leads group counseling sessions for assigned juveniles.
• Maintains shift logs on juvenile's activities and notifies supervisors of issues; completes incident reports and other documentation as needed; assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Provides guidance and informal counseling to Correctional Officers. Ensures juveniles are aware of their rights, policies and procedures. Transports juveniles as needed.
• Provides routine building maintenance, housekeeping, etc. and notifies supervisors of corrections needed.
• Attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings as assigned and directed.
• Performs 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 job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation. The cost of the physical examination will be billed through 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).

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 two 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.

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 experience. A bachelor's degree from a college or university in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related major field will substitute for one year of required 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. For the Department of Juvenile Justice must successfully complete the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment. 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. May be exposed to hazards and dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle while providing transportation services.

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 James Briggs at [e-mail] or 859-292-4447.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D