CORRECTIONAL SERGEANT - 10202026-81982

State of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 57,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee in Nashville seeks a Corrections Sergeant to supervise offender housing units, oversee daily security operations, and ensure safety and orderly facility operation.

The role ensures compliance with TDOC policies and ACA standards; requires passing background checks, weapon qualification, and completion of all prescribed training at the TDOC Academy.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to three years of varied full-time adult or youth security work, including one year of supervisory or inmate relations coordinator experience.
• Qualifying full-time employment as a Correctional Officer with the State of Tennessee may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and use assigned weapons.

Responsibilities

• Supervises or performs searches of inmates and vehicles and conducts shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband to ensure safety.
• Responds as a first responder to emergencies such as medical needs, escapes, fires, and natural disasters.
• Prepares a variety of records and reports such as shift reports, daily logs, disciplinary reports, inmate passes for court and doctor appointments, and daily population records to ensure accountability for the safety of the inmates, staff, and public.
• Restraints, secures or controls inmates using restraint devices as necessary.
• Plans and coordinates the activities of assigned subordinates who oversee various programs to ensure that operational and strategic priorities are met, and conflicts in scheduling and responsibility do not arise.
• Instructs employees and provides on the job training including training for emergency situations.

Skills

Decision Quality

Builds Effective Teams

Communicates Effectively

Directs Works

Drives Results

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Personal Computer

Radio

Motor Vehicles

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/20/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 11/02/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $5,151.00 - $7,723.00

Salary (Annually) $61,812.00 - $92,676.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Nashville, TN

Department Correction

LOCATION OF (10) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position is located Riverbend Maximum Security Institution

A Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening will be conducted prior to employment.

The position is responsible for supervising and directing the daily operations of an offender housing unit to ensure the safety, security, and orderly operation of the facility. conducts and oversees security inspections of facility grounds, fences, housing units, living areas, and equipment to identify contraband, unauthorized personnel, safety hazards, and potential security breaches.

The position supervises assigned staff and coordinates daily security operations to ensure compliance with Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) policies, procedures, regulations, and applicable American Correctional Association (ACA) standards.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to three years of varied full-time adult or youth security work, including one year of supervisory or inmate relations coordinator experience and one year of adult correctional security experience; qualifying full-time employment as a Correctional Officer with the State of Tennessee may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Be willing to and able to qualify with, carry, and used assigned weapons;
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of application;
• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation;
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check;
• Have no conviction for a felony or any domestic assault convictions or have been discharged under any other than honorable conditions from any branch of the United States armed forces;
• Pass a physical examination administered by a licensed physician that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;
• Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a licensed mental health professional that is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and that relates to the essential functions of the position;
• Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs;
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment;
• Upon appointment, successfully complete all additional prescribed course of instruction at the Tennessee Correction Academy and any and all on-line training.

Overview

The Correctional Sergeant performs correctional supervisory work of average difficulty; and performs related work as required. An employee in this class supervises correctional work at a state correctional facility involving the custody, transportation, and rehabilitation of inmates, and may be assigned to work any shift. This class differs from that of Correctional Corporal in that an incumbent of the latter is responsible for acting as assistant shift supervisor or shift supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Supervises or performs searches of inmates and vehicles and conducts shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband to ensure safety.
• Responds as a first responder to emergencies such as medical needs, escapes, fires, and natural disasters.
• Prepares a variety of records and reports such as shift reports, daily logs, disciplinary reports, inmate passes for court and doctor appointments, and daily population records to ensure accountability for the safety of the inmates, staff, and public.
• Restrains, secures or controls inmates using restraint devices as necessary.
• Plans and coordinates the activities of assigned subordinates who oversee various programs to ensure that operational and strategic priorities are met, and conflicts in scheduling and responsibility do not arise.
• Instructs employees and provides on the job training including training for emergency situations.
• Inspects correctional facility for compliance of policy and procedures that are mandated by the state standards.
• Maintains accountability and care for all assigned equipment such as handcuffs, keys, radio, weapons, to include all security devices.
• Observes inmates to ensure that established policies and procedures are followed.
• Records all information such as incidents, disciplinary actions and activities on the State's database.
• Communicates information to supervisors and subordinates concerning the daily activities in regards to staff and inmates.

Competencies (KSA's)

• Decision Quality
• Builds Effective Teams
• Communicates Effectively
• Directs Works
• Drives Results

Knowledges

• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• Law and Government

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Learning StrategiesWriting

Abilities

• Number Facility
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Motor Vehicles
• Copy Machine
• Radio