Social Service Worker I

Commonwealth-of-Kentuck; Columbia (KY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky seeks a Social Service Worker I in the Department of Juvenile Justice for the Columbia, KY location. The role provides entry-level professional social work services to adjudicated youth and develops individual treatment plans.

The position is full-time in the executive branch, 37.5 hours per week with overtime eligibility, and requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a valid driver’s license. It includes a 9-month probationary period and licensure maintenance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.
• Experience, training, or skills: NONE
• Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE
• Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
• Special requirements include a valid driver's license and maintaining licensure/certifications for the length of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provides entry level professional social work services to adjudicated juveniles in Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facilities.
• Provides beginning level individual, group, and family counseling services for juveniles served in DJJ facilities and develops individual treatment plans.
• Conducts treatment team planning sessions.
• Participates in placement and discharge of juveniles. Assists juvenile service worker with integration of juveniles back to community.
• Writes progress notes, discharge summaries, charting summaries and other administrative or treatment reports. Maintains current and confidential case records.
• Supervises juveniles as needed.
• Minimum travel may be required.
• May be required to restrain out-of-control juveniles.

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field

Job description

Job Information

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

Job ID: 2605772

Title: Social Service Worker I

Pay Grade: 14

Salary: $55,541.52 Annually

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

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

Location: 401 Appleby Drive
Columbia, KY 42728 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves juveniles of theCommonwealth.

While striving to hold youth accountable for their actions, the Department creates opportunitiesfor sentenced, committed, probated, or detained youth to develop social and career skills that will equip themfor 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, appropriateplacement possible. We aspire to be a premier team of professionals committed to providing life-changingservices 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 toperform all duties to the best of their ability, act in a responsible manner at all times, demonstrateleadership qualities, and treat all staff, youth, and persons with respect. This is a demanding position thatrequires maturity, reliability, and self-discipline. Career growth and advancement are encouraged throughtraining and mentoring opportunities.

Please be advised that although medical cannabis has been legalized in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, due toother 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 foradditional information.

• Provides entry level professional social work services to adjudicated juveniles in Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facilities.
• Provides beginning level individual, group, and family counseling services for juveniles served in DJJ facilities and develops individual treatment plans.
• Conducts treatment team planning sessions.
• Participates in placement and discharge of juveniles. Assists juvenile service worker with integration of juveniles back to community.
• Writes progress notes, discharge summaries, charting summaries and other administrative or treatment reports. Maintains current and confidential case records.
• Supervises juveniles as needed.
• Minimum travel may be required.
• May be required to restrain out-of-control juveniles.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE

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 or residential program 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 9 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