Correctional Officer

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Locality premium

Shift premium

Weekend premium

Holiday premium

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky – Department of Corrections in Lexington, KY seeks motivated individuals for the Correctional Officer role at the Central Kentucky Medical Correctional Complex. You will work to maintain safety, security, and order within the facility, supporting inmate supervision and daily operations.

Requirements include a high school diploma; no prior experience required. Compensation includes base salary plus locality, shift, weekend, and holiday premiums. Equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• High school graduate is required.
• No prior experience required.
• Must meet age and licensing requirements as specified.

Responsibilities

• Maintains control of the institution to provide safety and security for inmates, staff, and public by enforcing rules and procedures.
• Supervises inmate activities in housing, dining, recreation, and work areas.
• Attends to medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of inmates.
• Inspects premises for contraband, unauthorized personnel, and 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

Ability to work under pressure

Education

High school graduate

Job description

Advertisement Closes

9/14/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2604729

Correctional Officer

Pay Grade 10

Salary

$39,127.68 Annually

Locality Premium – $5.23 per hour

Shift Premium - $2.13

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

3111 Spurr Rd

Lexington, KY 40511 USA

Description

Creating a Better, Safer Kentucky

Do you want to kick-start your career in Criminal Justice? Look no further! The Kentucky Department of Corrections 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 to maintain safety and control of offenders.

This position is located at the Central Kentucky Medical Correctional Complex in Lexington, Kentucky.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To The Following

• Maintains control of the institution to provide safety and security of the facility inmates, staff, and general 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.

The Ideal Candidate For This Position Will Have

• 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 of firearms and ammunition at the time of employment.

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.

This position will receive a $5.23 locality premium, a $2.13 shift premium, a $2.13 weekend premium and $2.13 holiday premium.

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 Kasey Schank at [e-mail]

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D