Alternative Sentencing Worker I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky is seeking an Alternative Sentencing Worker to join the Department of Public Advocacy in Louisville. The role involves evaluating clients with substance abuse or mental health issues and developing alternative sentences with treatment components.

You will work with the defense team in the Louisville Trial Office to advocate for clients and coordinate services. Required is a master’s degree in a related field, with substitutions allowed for bachelor-level candidates who

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, family studies, counseling or related field.
• Substitute: Bachelor's degree plus 1 year professional social work, substance use disorder, or mental health experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license prior to employment.
• Maintain any required licensure, certification, or credentials for the length of employment.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients to determine needs and prepare an alternative sentence with a treatment component.
• Work as a member of the defense team in the Louisville Trial Office.
• Conduct assessments and document findings; coordinate treatment (inpatient/outpatient/short or long-term) as part of the sentence.
• Travel to field activities as needed.

Skills

Multitask

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Communication

Self-motivation

Education

Master's degree in social work or related field

Bachelor's degree + 1 year professional social work/related experience

Job description

Advertisement Closes: 9/4/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

ID: 2604468

Pay Grade: 13

Salary: $39,284.88 - $58,927.20 Annually

Employment Type: EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Public Advocacy

Location

701 W Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202 USA

Description

Alternative sentencing helps the community, as well as the client. Throughout the state, the criminal justice system is overloaded with drug-related cases. Taxpayers pay millions of dollars to incarcerate offenders for drug crimes. Putting nonviolent offenders in jail costs the community money without providing a long-term solution to the problem of addiction.

The Department of Public Advocacy represents clients appointed by the court in criminal cases. If you have a strong desire to help others overcome substance abuse and mental health issues, reunite families, and help individuals become productive members of their community, then the Alternative Sentencing Worker (ASW) position is the job for you.

You will work as a member of the defense team in the Louisville Trial Office to assist clients charged with criminal offenses related to substance abuse or mental health. You will conduct assessments to determine the client's specific needs and then prepare an alternative sentence. The alternative sentence typically involves a treatment component. This could be inpatient, outpatient, short or long-term mental health or substance abuse treatment.

Skills and abilities include, but are not limited to:

• Multitask and prioritize.
• Organizational skills
• Ability to work on a team
• Ability to communicate well both verbally and through written documents and reports
• Ability to work alone and be self-motivated.

As an Alternative Sentencing Worker with the Department of Public Advocacy, you will listen to the clients, explore options, and never stop fighting for the client. You will be an advocate for your client.

Please be advised that although medical cannabis has been legalized in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, due to other 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 for additional information.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION

Graduate of an accredited college or university with a master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, family studies, counseling or a related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS

NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE

NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION

A bachelor's degree supplemented by one year of professional social work, substance use disorder, or mental health experience will substitute for the required education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.)

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license prior to employment in this job classification. 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 is performed in both an office setting and in the field. Frequent travel is required to complete field activity.

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 Christopher Schramm at [e-mail] or 502-764-2972.

Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D