Correctional Officer

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Columbia (KY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay eligibility

Locality premium pay

Shift premiums

Weekend premium

Holiday premium

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky in Columbia, KY seeks a Correctional Officer to supervise and protect juveniles in a detention environment, ensuring safety and adherence to rules. The role requires maturity, reliability, and instruction in procedures. Compensated as a full-time executive branch employee with overtime eligibility.

The position emphasizes discipline, reporting, and coordination with staff, courts, and families, with comprehensive training and opportunities for advancement.

Qualifications

• Education: High school graduate.
• Experience, Training, or Skills: NONE
• Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE
• Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Must be twenty years of age; valid driver's license; complete DJJ Training Academy within six months; maintain required licenses/certifications.

Responsibilities

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting or related assignments.
• Supervises and monitors activities of detached juveniles; maintains a safe and secure detention environment.
• Takes required actions during emergencies and stands watch in each unit.
• Assists juveniles in interpersonal skill development.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance; checks premises and ensures safety of juveniles; attends meetings and trainings.
• Maintains booking program to record youth daily behaviors and court/family interactions.
• Oversees juveniles during program functions at detention centers.
• Completes incident reports and other documentation per detention center rules; assists with complaints.
• Transports juveniles as needed.

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes: 8/20/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job ID: 2604270

Title: Correctional Officer

Pay Grade: 10

$39,127.68 Annually
Locality Premium – $5.228 per hour
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

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

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Juvenile Justice

401 Appleby Drive, Columbia, KY 42728 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.

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting or performs related specialassignments.
• At beginning level, supervises and monitors activities of detached juveniles; maintaining a safe andsecure atmosphere for juveniles in a detention center.
• Takes required actions during emergencies situations and stands watch in each unit.
• Assists juveniles in interpersonal skill development.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance, etc.; checks premises and ensures safety ofjuveniles; attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings.
• Maintains the booking program to record youth's daily behaviors and interactions between courts andfamily visits to document disturbances and other unusual events of behavior.
• Oversees the juveniles during program functions at the detention centers.
• Completes incident reports and other documentation as needed according to detention center rules;assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings as required.
• Transports juveniles as needed.

• This position is deemed essential and has been designated for mandatory operations by the AppointingAuthority; 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 twoweeks 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 must 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 will receive locality premium pay ($5.228 added to the hourly rate) pursuant to 101 KAR2:034. The locality premium pay is not considered a raise or part of base pay; rather, it is a temporarymeasure being taken by the department to improve recruitment and retention to meet the continuing criticalstaffing needs in these counties.
• Additionally, a shift premium of $2.13 an hour has been approved for all correctional series positionsworking between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., a $1.13 an hour between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., and $2.13 an houron weekends and holidays.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: High school graduate.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Must be twenty 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