Correctional Officer

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Corrections in Lexington, KY, seeks motivated individuals for Correctional Officer roles. The position requires minimal education beyond high school and no prior experience, with strict age and licensing prerequisites.

The role emphasizes teamwork, vigilance, and adherence to procedures in a secure facility. Located at the Central Kentucky Medical Correctional Complex in Lexington, the job involves inmate supervision, safety, and compliance with state

Qualifications

• High school graduate.
• No prior experience required.
• Must be twenty years old with a valid driver\'s license.
• DJJ Training Academy within six months if assigned to DJJ.

Responsibilities

• Maintains control of the institution to ensure safety and security of inmates, staff, and the 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 other security risks.
• Completes required reports and daily logs.
• Conducts inmate counts, security rounds, and searches.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Observation skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Education

High school graduate

Job description

Advertisement Closes

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

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

More Details

Click here for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Corrections

Location

3105 Spurr Road
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 ofCorrections is seeking motivated individuals who are up for the challenge.

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

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.

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 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.

Contact

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Kasey Schank at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D