Correctional Sergeant

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Newport (KY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Juvenile Justice in Newport, KY seeks a Correctional Sergeant for a full-time executive-branch role. The position involves leading correctional staff, ensuring security, and coordinating services for juveniles within a structured facility.

The role requires maturity and reliability, with overtime potential and mandatory training. Locality and shift premiums apply, and applicants must meet education and experience requirements.

Qualifications

• Must have one year of experience in corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, social work dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders, or in the supervision and care of young adults (ages 12-21) in a residential, correctional, group home, detention or day treatment program or any combination of the above.
• An Associate's degree from a college or university in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related field will substitute for six months of the required experience.
• A bachelor's degree from a college or university in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related major field will substitute for the year of required experience. For the Department of Juvenile Justice, successful completion of the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy or equivalent training program approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice will substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Responsibilities

• Has functional supervision over and coordinates the work of employees or inmates for a specialized program or detail.
• Performs custodial security functions.
• Supervises and monitors activities of DJJ juveniles; assists juveniles in interpersonal skill development.
• Supervises Correctional Officers.
• Completes evaluations and approves time and attendance.
• Maintains shift logs on juvenile's activities and notifies supervisors of issues; completes incident reports as needed; assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance, etc.; checks premises and ensures the safety of juveniles; attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings.
• Assists in group counseling sessions and assignments.
• Transports juveniles to off campus outings, appointments, etc.

Job description

Advertisement Closes

9/14/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job ID

2604727

Position Title

Correctional Sergeant

Pay Grade

11

Salary

$43,046.16 Annually

Locality Premium - $5.23 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

Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Juvenile Justice

Location

590 Columbia Street
Newport, KY 41071 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.

• Has functional supervision over and coordinates the work of employees or inmates for a specializedprogram or detail.
• Performs custodial security functions.
• Supervises and monitors activities of DJJ juveniles; assists juveniles in interpersonal skilldevelopment.
• Supervises Correctional Officers.
• Completes evaluations and approves time and attendance.
• Maintains shift logs on juvenile's activities and notifies supervisors of issues; completes incidentreports as needed; assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance, etc.; checks premises and ensures the safety ofjuveniles; attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings.
• Assists in group counseling sessions and assignments.
• Transports juveniles to off campus outings, appointments, etc.
• Required to be able to exert physical effort in the proper restraint of residents based on behavior.
• May perform other physical efforts in assisting youth with recreational and work related projects.

• 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 enta lands 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.
• 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.

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.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: High school graduate.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Must have one year of experience in corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, social work dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders, or in the supervision and care of young adults (ages 12-21) in a residential, correctional, group home, detention or day treatment program or any combination of the above.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: An Associate's degree from a college or university in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related field will substitute for six months of the required experience. A bachelor's degree from a college or university in corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related major field will substitute for the year of required experience. For the Department of Juvenile Justice, successful completion of the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy or equivalent training program approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Must be twenty-one 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 when providing transportation.

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 Jessica Johnson at [e-mail] or 859-292-6371.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D