Correctional Officer

Final date to receive applications 3/8/2026 (8:00 PM EDT)

Job
-01047

Position:
Correctional Officer

Pay Grade: 10

Salary: $39,127.68 annually

Locality Premium: $5.228 per hour

Shift Premium: $2.13 per hour between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.; $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

Hiring Agency:
Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Juvenile Justice

Location:

401 Appleby Drive, Columbia, KY 42728 USA

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves juveniles of the Commonwealth. While striving to hold youth accountable for their actions, the Department creates opportunities for sentenced, committed, probated, or detained youth to develop social and career skills that will equip them for re‑entry into their communities as productive and responsible citizens.

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice seeks to serve youth in the least restrictive, appropriate placement possible. We aspire to be a premier team of professionals committed to providing life‑changing services resulting in the positive transformation of children, families, and communities.

This is a highly responsible position in the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The employee is expected to perform all duties to the best of their ability, act in a responsible manner at all times, demonstrate leadership qualities, and treat all staff, youth, and persons with respect. This is a demanding position that requires maturity, reliability, and self‑discipline. Career growth and advancement are encouraged through training and mentoring opportunities.

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting or performs related special assignments.
• At beginning level, supervises and monitors activities of detained juveniles; maintaining a safe and secure atmosphere for juveniles in a detention center.
• Takes required actions during emergencies situations and stands watch in each unit.
• Assists juveniles in interpersonal skill development.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance, etc.; checks premises and ensures safety of juveniles; attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings.
• Maintains the booking program to record youth's daily behaviors and interactions between courts and family visits to document disturbances and other unusual events of behavior.
• Oversees the juveniles during program functions at the detention centers.
• Completes incident reports and other documentation as needed according to detention center rules; assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings as required.
• Transports juveniles as needed.

• 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.
• This position will receive locality premium pay ($5.228 added to the hourly rate) pursuant to 101 KAR 2:034. The locality premium pay is not considered a raise or part of base pay; rather, it is a temporary measure being taken by the department to improve recruitment and retention to meet the continuing critical staffing needs in these counties.
• Additionally, a shift premium of $2.13 an hour has been approved for all correctional series positions working 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 hour on weekends and holidays.

Education: High school graduate.

Experience, Training, or

Skills:

NONE

Substitute Education for

Experience:

NONE

Substitute Experience for

Education:

NONE

Special Requirements (Age, Licensure,…