Correctional Officer

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, within the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet, is seeking a Correctional Officer in Lexington, KY. The role involves custodial duties, supervising detained youths, and participating in training to maintain safety and order.

Salary is accompanied by locality and shift premiums; full-time executive branch status with overtime eligibility. Applicants must meet basic education and age requirements and complete the DJJ Training Academy in Louisville as part

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 and possess a valid driver's license; must complete DJJ Training Academy within six months; maintain required licensure/certification.

Responsibilities

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial setting or performs related assignments.
• Supervises and monitors detained juveniles at onset to ensure a safe, secure environment.
• Takes required actions during emergencies and stands watch.
• Assists juveniles in interpersonal skill development.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance; checks premises and ensures safety; attends meetings and trainings.
• Maintains the booking program to record youth behavior and visits; documents disturbances.
• Oversees juveniles during program functions at detention centers.
• Completes incident reports and other documentation as required by detention center rules.
• Attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings.
• Transports juveniles as needed.

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes

9/10/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job Number

2604692

Correctional Officer

Pay Grade

10

Salary

$39,127.68 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

3475 Spurr Road
Lexington, KY 40511 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 special assignments.
• At beginning level, supervises and monitors activities of detained juveniles; maintaining a safe and secure 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 of juveniles; attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings.
• Maintains the booking program to record youth's daily behaviors and interactions between courts and family 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 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: 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.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Shaun Faulkner at [e-mail] or 859-246-2806.

Equal Opportunity Statement

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D