CORRECTIONAL LIEUTENANT - 10062026-81560

State of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Tennessee's Department of Correction in Nashville is seeking a Correctional Lieutenant to supervise sergeants and oversee security operations at DJRC. The role requires managing shift crews, enforcing policy, and ensuring safety for inmates, staff, and the public.

Qualifications include high school graduation with substantial security leadership experience, ability to carry assigned weapons, background checks, and completion of Tennessee Correction Academy training.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and substantial security experience.
• Two years supervisory experience and one year of adult correctional security experience required.
• Substitution allowed for education by experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Supervises searches of inmates and vehicles and conducts shakedowns.
• Responds to emergencies as a first responder.
• Prepares shift reports, logs, and disciplinary reports.
• Restrains inmates using restraint devices as necessary.
• Plans and coordinates activities of subordinates to meet priorities.
• Instructs employees and provides on-the-job training.
• Inspects facility for policy compliance.
• Maintains accountability for equipment.
• Observes inmates to ensure policy adherence.
• Records information in State's database.
• Performs security inspections for breaches.

Skills

Security leadership

Supervisory experience

Inmate security

Emergency response

Active learning

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/06/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/06/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/19/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $5,703.00 - $7,399.00

Salary (Annually) $68,436.00 - $88,788.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Nashville, TN

Department Correction

LOCATION OF (2) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is located at Debra K Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC) in Nashville, TN.

A Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening will be conducted prior to employment.

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 graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to substantial (five or more years of) full-time increasingly responsible youth or adult security experience, including two years of supervisory experience and one year of adult correctional security experience; qualifying full-time employment as a Correctional Officer with the State of Tennessee may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis; one year of experience as an Inmate Relations Coordinator may be substituted for one year of the required supervisory experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

• Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and used assigned weapons;
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application;
• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation;
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check;
• Have no conviction for a felony or any domestic assault convictions or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces;
• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;
• Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;
• Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs;
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment;
• Upon appointment, successfully complete all additional prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Correction Academy and any and all on-line training.

Overview

The Correctional Lieutenant is responsible for correctional supervisory work of average difficulty, including the supervision of Correctional Sergeants; and performs related work as required. An employee in this class is responsible for supervisory work at a state correctional facility, acting as the assistant shift supervisor or the shift supervisor. This class differs from that of Correctional Sergeant in that an incumbent of the latter has supervisory responsibility of lesser scope and complexity. This class differs from that of Correctional Captain in that an incumbent of the latter is responsible for supervising the entire security force on a shift.

Responsibilities

• Supervises or performs searches of inmates and vehicles and conducts shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband to ensure safety.
• Responds as a first responder to emergencies such as medical needs, escapes, fires, and natural disasters.
• Prepares a variety of records and reports such as shift reports, daily logs, disciplinary reports, inmate passes for court and doctor appointments, and daily population records to ensure accountability for the safety of the inmates, staff, and public.
• Restrains, secures or controls inmates using restraint devices as necessary.
• Plans and coordinates the activities of assigned subordinates who oversee various programs to ensure that operational and strategic priorities are met, and conflicts in scheduling and responsibility do not arise.
• Instructs employees and provides on the job training including training for emergency situations.
• Inspects correctional facility for compliance of policy and procedures that are mandated by the state standards.
• Maintains accountability and care for all assigned equipment such as handcuffs, keys, radio, weapons, to include all security devices.
• Observes inmates to ensure that established policies and procedures are followed.
• Records all information such as incidents, disciplinary actions and activities on the State's database.
• Performs security inspections such as physical fence and ground checks to ensure no security breaches and all areas are in compliance.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Builds Effective Teams
• Communicates Effectively
• Manages Conflict
• Drives Results

Knowledges

• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• Law and Government

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Learning Strategies
• Writing

Abilities

• Number Facility
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Motor Vehicles
• Copy Machine
• Radio