Correctional Sergeant

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Paducah (KY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Locality premium

Shift premium (3pm–11pm)

Shift premium (11pm–7am)

Weekend premium

Holiday premium

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky in Paducah, KY seeks a Correctional Sergeant to supervise staff, coordinate inmate activities, and ensure safety within a state juvenile justice facility. The role requires leadership, robust security responsibilities, and readiness to work OT.

The position offers full-time executive branch employment with overtime eligibility, plus locality and shift premiums. Training is provided at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Louisville as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: High school graduate.
• Experience: At least 1 year in corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, or supervising youth.
• Substitution: Associate's or Bachelor's degree may substitute for experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate the work of employees or inmates for a specialized program or detail.
• Perform custodial security functions and monitor juvenile activities.
• Complete evaluations and approve time/attendance; maintain shift logs and incident reports.
• Assist in transport of juveniles to off-campus outings or appointments; support group counseling sessions.
• Ensure safety of premises; participate in staff meetings and trainings; provide necessary support services.

Skills

Corrections experience

Supervision

Driver's license

Education

High school graduate

Associate's degree substitution for experience

Bachelor's degree substitution for experience

Job description

Advertisement Closes

10/7/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Application ID

2605221

Job Title

Correctional Sergeant

Pay Grade

11

Salary

$43,046.16 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

Click here for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Juvenile Justice

Location

500 County Park Road

Paducah, KY 42001 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:

• 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.
• Supervise 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.
• Must 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.

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.
• Applicants are required to 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 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: 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 Byron at [e-mail] or 502-764-1911.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D