​Bradley began his career with the department as a classification and treatment officer at LSCC in 2005. In 2007 he transferred to Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC) and in 2013 he was promoted to unit administrator. He promoted again in 2016 to unit administrator II before being assigned to oversee the Restrictive Housing Unit. Bradley was also in charge of the Reentry Preparation Dormitory at EKCC where he worked closely with inmates nearing the end of their sentences. most recently, Bradley served as branch manager in the Division of Education since October 2018 when he was promoted to Deputy Warden on 7/16/2019.

During his time with the department, he has been a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team, institution liaison for the Kentucky Offender Management System (KOMS), network analyst, and PREA compliance manager. Bradley received the LSCC Employee of the Month in May 2006, the EKCC Employee of the Month twice, in 2008 and 2011, and the EKCC Teamwork Award in 2012.

Bradley is a graduate of the 2012 Commissioner's Executive Leadership Program and an active member of the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency (KCCD). He previously served as president of the KCCD Cave Run Chapter, a member of the board of directors, and president of the state board. Bradley has been a member of the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, Morgan County Schools District Improvement Board, UK-Morgan County Extension Family Consumer Sciences Board, ARH Local Advisory Board, UK-Morgan County Extension Board Chairman​, and twice chairperson of the Morgan County Sorghum Festival Committee.