Social Service Worker I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Murray (KY); On-site; USD 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department for Community Based Services in Murray, seeks a Social Service Worker I to support families in achieving safe, stable homes and self-sufficiency. The role links children, families, and community partners through casework, assessments and referrals.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field, ability to work overtime, and teamwork with professionals across agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.
• No prior experience required; education can substitute per agency policy.
• Must pass fingerprint-based background check and be eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of child or adult abuse, neglect, or dependency or exploitation.
• Recruit, Train or Approve individuals and families as foster or adoptive homes.
• Meet with family members to determine the merits of a report of child or adult neglect or abuse.
• Meet with other interested parties such as school and medical staff to gather additional information.
• Complete detailed assessments based on investigative or ongoing case management work.
• Locate/secure appropriate placements for children when necessary.
• Work with families and adults to create case plans for addressing and correcting issues.
• Make referrals to outside community resources to assist the family, adults and children with meeting identified needs for well-being, safety, and permanency.
• Enter case information into the computer.
• Complete court reports and provides testimony during administrative and judicial hearings.
• Work closely with community partners such as law enforcement, school systems, counselors, and shelters.

Skills

Family services

Team collaboration

Verbal & written

Time management

Under pressure

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Job description

Advertisement Closes

11/15/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job ID

2605906

Job Title

Social Service Worker I

Pay Grade

14

Salary

$58,333.68 - $66,110.88 Annually

Employment Type

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

Hiring Agency

Cabinet for Health & Family Services | Dept for Community Based Services

Location

3415 US Hwy 641
Murray, KY 42071 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) is a multi-faceted agency that provides servicesand programs to enhance the self-sufficiency of families; improve safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults; and engage families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process.

DCBS seeks a Social Service Worker I who is driven to succeed in helping people and advance family self-sufficiency. With professionalism and integrity, our agency offers services to individuals and families toensure safe, stable homes for the children of the Commonwealth. The Social Service Worker I is a skilled teammember, providing a vital link between the children, families, adults, and local community partners. Theemployee is expected to perform at the highest quality to ensure services to vulnerable citizens. This is ademanding position that requires maturity, self-discipline, and the ability to work overtime. Flexible workschedules, shift premiums are available.

For more information on the Department for Community Based Services, please visit our website at: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/pages/default.aspx

The position you are applying for has access to or use of federal tax information (FTI) or meets the statutory definition of front-line staff. Therefore, pursuant to IRS Publication 1075 and 900 KAR 1:009 or KRS 194A.062and 900 KAR 1:050, applicants for this position in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) shall submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

CHFS also participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in U.S. CHFS will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offerand completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that CHFS has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888-897-7781 or https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of child or adult abuse, neglect, or dependency or exploitation.
• Recruit, Train or Approve individuals and families as foster or adoptive homes.
• Meet with family members to determine the merits of a report of child or adult neglect or abuse.
• Meet with other interested parties such as school and medical staff in order to gather additionalinformation.
• Complete detailed assessments based on investigative or ongoing case management work.
• Locate/secure appropriate placements for children when necessary.
• Work with families and adults to create case plans for addressing and correcting issues.
• Make referrals to outside community resources to assist the family, adults and children with meeting identifiedneeds forwell-being, safety, and permanency.
• Enter case information into the computer.
• Complete court reports and provides testimony during administrative and judicial hearings.
• Work closely with community partners such as law enforcement, school systems, counselors, and shelters.

Ideal candidate will have

• Experience working with adults, children, families.
• Experience working collaboratively with team members or community partners.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• The ability to work well under pressure.
• A willingness to work as part of a team.
• A valid driver’s license.

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 Christina Adams at [e-mail] or 270-753-5362.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D