Correctional Officer

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Fredonia (KY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Justice & Public Safety Cabinet, Department of Corrections, seeks motivated individuals for the Correctional Officer role in Fredonia, KY. The position focuses on safety, security, and orderly inmate management within a state correctional facility.

Applicants must meet age and licensing requirements; employment offers include locality and shift premiums, with overtime eligibility. A criminal justice pathway and training may be provided after hire.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• No prior experience required.
• Must be twenty years of age and possess a valid driver's license.
• Must complete Juvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment (for DJJ).
• Must maintain required licensure/certifications for the length of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains facility safety and security by enforcing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Oversees inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas.
• Attends to the medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of the inmates.
• Inspects and patrols the grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and other security risks.
• Completes required reports and daily logs.
• Conducts inmate counts, security rounds, and searches.

Skills

Strong communication

Observation skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Work under pressure

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes

10/5/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2605102

Correctional Officer

Pay Grade

10

Salary

$39,127.68 Annually
Locality Premium – $5.23 per hour
Shift Premium - $2.13 per hour
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 Corrections

Location

374 New Bethel Church Road
Fredonia, KY 42411 USA

Description

Creating a better, safer Kentucky.

Do you want to kick-start your career in Criminal Justice? Look no further! The Kentucky Department ofCorrections is seeking motivated individuals who are up for the challenge.

Correctional Officers fill a critical role within correctional institutions by working together as a team tomaintain safety and control of offenders.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Maintains control of the institution to provide safety and security of the facility inmates, staff, andgeneral public by enforcing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Supervises inmate activities in housing units, dining areas, recreation and work areas.
• Attends to the medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of the inmates.
• Inspects and patrols the grounds for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and for other security risks.
• Completes required reports and daily logs.
• Conducts inmate counts, security rounds, and searches.

Skills and abilities include, but are not limited to:

• Strong communication skills
• Observation skills
• Be a team player
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure

All applicants must meet all federal and state laws applicable to the carrying, use, and possession offirearms and ammunition at the time of employment.

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.

This position has an approved Locality Premium of $5.23, 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 per hour
• Weekend Premium - $2.13 per hour
• Holiday Premium - $2.13 per hour

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 Tim East at [e-mail].

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D