Correctional Officer

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

Job summary

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is part of the Commonwealth and seeks to fill a critical transportation role based in Louisville. The incumbent will transport youth, supervise custody, and support facilities with safety and professionalism.

This executive branch, full-time position requires maturity, reliability, and the ability to manage challenging situations, including de-escalation and coordination with courts and medical facilities.

Qualifications

• This is a highly responsible position requiring maturity, reliability and self-discipline.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license to qualify for employment.

Responsibilities

• Provides transportation to youth detained to DJJ and escorts juveniles between facilities.
• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting and acts during emergencies to prevent escapes.
• Transports DJJ juveniles to medical and court appointments and to placements in other facilities; uses safety restraints as needed.
• Assists in providing support services to youth and their families and provides information about facilities and programs.
• Maintains logs and reports; ensures vehicle maintenance and readiness; communicates with detention facilities statewide.

Skills

Maturity

Reliability

Self-discipline

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes

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

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

8711 LaGrange Road, Building E

Louisville, KY 40242 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is a multi-faceted agency that serves juveniles of the Commonwealth. While striving to hold youth accountable for their actions, the Department creates opportunities for sentenced, committed, probated, or detained youth to develop social and career skills that will equip them for re-entry into their communities as productive and responsible citizens.

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice seeks to serve youth in the least restrictive, appropriate placement possible. We aspire to be a premier team of professionals committed to providing life-changing services 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 to perform all duties to the best of their ability, act in a responsible manner at all times, demonstrate leadership qualities, and treat all staff, youth, and persons with respect. This is a demanding position that requires maturity, reliability, and self-discipline. Career growth and advancement are encouraged through training and mentoring opportunities.

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.

• Provides transportation to youth detained to DJJ. Escorts juveniles between various institutional areas. Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting. Takes appropriate action during emergencies to prevent escapes and suppress disorder.
• Completes transportation requests providing services in the most efficient manner. Performs counts and/or wellness checks for juveniles. Monitors individuals entering and leaving institutional grounds. Maintains approved physical restraint technique certifications as required by DJJ policies.
• Transports DJJ juveniles to and from medical and court appointments as well as placements in other facilities. Uses mechanical and safety restraints when needed.
• Assists in providing support services to youth and their families, such as de-escalating youth and informing families about facilities, residential and private.
• Maintains appropriate logs and reports as needed and ensures proper or timely maintenance on automobiles assigned to the unit. Maintains documentation on other vehicles used.
• Communicates with detention facilities statewide and other law enforcement agencies regarding youth behavior. Attends meetings and trainings as required.

Additional Information:

• 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.
• Required to successfully complete required Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray training and certification. As a condition of employment, employees will be subject to either direct or indirect exposure to OC spray, based on position and job responsibilities.
• 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.
• Candidate may have to travel by air or enter a federal government building which would require appropriate documentation including a Real ID.

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.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact David Rodgers at [e-mail] or 502-545-1699.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D