Correctional Officer

Commonwealth of Kentucky; West Liberty (KY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky is seeking a motivated Correctional Officer in West Liberty, KY to help kick-start a career in criminal justice. The role emphasizes safety, security, and orderly operations within a state facility.

You will supervise inmate activities, patrol grounds, and complete logs and reports, while upholding laws and agency policies. This full-time position offers premium compensation and overtime eligibility, with locality, shift, and weekend premiums.

Qualifications

• Education: High school graduate as a minimum requirement.
• Experience: None required; on-the-job training provided.
• Special requirements: must be twenty years old and possess a valid driver’s license.
• Related agency training may be required within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains control of the institution to ensure safety and security for inmates, staff, and the public.
• Supervises inmate activities in housing units, dining, recreation and work areas.
• Attends to medical, visitation, personal property, and recreational needs of inmates.
• Inspects grounds for contraband and security risks; conducts counts and rounds.
• Completes required reports and daily logs; performs searches as needed.

Skills

Strong communication

Observation skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Work under pressure

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes 9/6/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

req80789

Correctional Officer

Pay Grade 10

Salary $2,623.40-$3,935.20 Monthly

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 HR/WK

Click here for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency Justice & Public Safety Cabinet

Location 200 Road To Justice West Liberty, KY 41472 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.

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 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.

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

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D