Social Service Clinician I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Columbia (KY); On-site; USD 59,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a Social Service Clinician I to provide intensive social work services and counseling to juveniles in DJJ facilities. A master’s degree in social work or related field is required, with at least one year of professional social work experience.

Valid driver’s license and licensure maintenance are required. Travel and risk of restraint may be involved.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.
• One year of professional social work experience.
• Bachelor's degree plus three years of professional social work experience may substitute for the primary education and experience requirements.
• Must furnish a valid driver's license within one month of employment and maintain required licensure(s) or credentials.

Responsibilities

• Provides intensive social work services through assessment of client needs and provision of social services to complex cases.
• Provides intensive individual, group, and family counseling services to juveniles with complex issues in DJJ facilities.
• Reviews background and evaluation materials to develop treatment plans and coordinates group counseling sessions and learning experiences.
• Reviews individual case records, prepares summaries for treatment team meetings and maintains current and confidential case records.
• Coordinates with community staff in ongoing treatment efforts for juveniles discharged from the facility.
• Mentors with new counselors to ensure effective and proper counseling techniques.
• Travel may be required.
• May be required to restrain out-of-control juveniles.

Skills

Social work

Counseling

Communication

Education

Master's degree in social work

Job description

Advertisement Closes 10/12/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2605306

Social Service Clinician I

Pay Grade 15

Salary $61,215.36 Annually

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

Click here for more details on state employment.

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 (DJJ) 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.

For more information about the Department of Juvenile Justice please visit: https://djj.ky.gov/

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.

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.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To, The Following

• Provides intensive social work services through the assessment of client needs and the provision of social services to complex cases.
• Provides intensive individual, group, and family counseling services to juveniles with complex issues in DJJ facilities.
• Reviews background and evaluation materials to develop treatment plans and coordinates group counseling sessions and learning experiences.
• Reviews individual case records, prepares summaries for treatment team meetings and maintains current and confidential case records.
• Coordinates with community staff in ongoing treatment efforts for juveniles discharged from the facility.
• Mentors with new counselors to ensure effective and proper counseling techniques.
• Travel may be required.
• May be required to restrain out-of-control juveniles.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: A master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Must have one year of professional social work experience.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree supplemented by three years of professional social work experience will substitute for the primary education and experience requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): If employed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice, an employee in this job classification must furnish to the appointing authority within one month of employment, documentation that he/she possesses a valid driver's license. 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

Performs job duties in an office/facility setting and visits clients and/or families at their residence. Provides emergency services on 24-hour basis, including accepting referrals and completing investigations at any hour without prior warning. As a result of enforced intervention, the worker runs the risk of physical harm.

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 James Briggs at [e-mail] or 270-384-7528.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D