Barker began her career with the department in 2002 as a classification and treatment officer (CTO) at LLCC. In 2004, Barker left Corrections before returning as a CTO at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in 2007. The next year she promoted to unit administrator I, overseeing the restrictive housing unit and medical/mental health dormitory. In 2012, she promoted to unit administrator II in the Assessment Center at Roederer Correctional Complex (RCC). In 2018, Barker promoted to administrative branch manager in the Reentry Division, where she provided oversight for reentry services in the institutions and Probation and Parole districts in the western region.

During her time in Corrections, Barker has acted as a reentry coordinator, grievance coordinator, assistant ADA coordinator, and PREA investigator. Additionally, she has served on the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and is currently a member of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) team. Barker is a member of the Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency (KCCD) and the Southern States Correctional Association (SSCA).

Barker was recognized by the department in 2009 when she received a Commissioner's Award and again in 2015 when she was named the RCC Non-Security Supervisor of the Year. In 2018, she received a Reentry Leader Certificate for her leadership and service in the Division of Reentry Services.

Barker received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Louisville. She is a 2012 graduate of the I-Lead Program and a 2013 graduate of the Commissioner's Executive Leadership Program.