Correctional Officer

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Locality premium pay

Shift premium—3pm–11pm

Shift premium—11pm–7am

Weekend premium

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky in Louisville is seeking a Correctional Officer for the Department of Juvenile Justice. This highly responsible position involves transporting youth, maintaining custody, and ensuring safety in a juvenile detention setting.

The job requires a high school diploma, a valid driver's license, and successful completion of the DJJ Training Academy within six months. Overtime and shift premiums apply, with locality pay included where applicable.

Qualifications

• High school graduate.
• NONE
• NONE
• Must be twenty years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license to qualify for employment in this job classification.
• Must successfully complete DJJ Training Academy within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provides transportation to youth detained to DJJ. Escorts juveniles between various institutional areas. Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting.
• Transports DJJ juveniles to and from medical and court appointments as well as placements in other facilities. Uses mechanical and safety restraints when needed.
• Maintains appropriate logs and reports as needed and ensures proper/timely maintenance on automobiles assigned to the unit.

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes: 10/10/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2605205

Correctional Officer

Pay Grade: 10

$39,127.68 Annually

Locality Premium – $5.228 per hour
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

Employment Type: EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 40.0 HR/WK

Click here for more details on state employment.

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 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.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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 duringemergencies to prevent escapes and suppress disorder.
• Completes transportation requests providing services in the most efficient manner. Performs countsand/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 otherfacilities. Uses mechanical and safety restraints when needed.
• Assists in providing support services to youth and their families, such as de-escalating youth andinforming families about facilities, residential and private.
• Maintains appropriate logs and reports as needed and ensures proper/timely maintenance on automobilesassigned to the unit. Maintains documentation on other vehicles used.
• Communicates with detention facilities statewide and other law enforcement agencies regarding youthbehavior. Attends meetings and trainings as required.

Additional Information

• This position is deemed essential and has been designated for mandatory operations by the AppointingAuthority; 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 twoweeks 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.
• This position will receive locality premium pay ($5.228 added to the hourly rate) pursuant to 101 KAR2:034. The locality premium pay is not considered a raise or part of base pay; rather, it is a temporarymeasure being taken by the department to improve recruitment and retention to meet the continuing criticalstaffing needs in these counties.
• Additionally, a shift premium of $2.13 an hour has been approved for all correctional series positionsworking between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., a $1.13 an hour between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., and $2.13 an houron weekends and holidays.
• Applicants must successfully pass a physical examination and be able to perform all essential jobfunctions, with or without reasonable accommodation. The cost of the physical examination will be billedthrough 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 requireappropriate documentation including a Real ID.

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