Social Service Worker I

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

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky in Newport, KY seeks a Social Service Worker I to perform entry level professional social work for adjudicated juveniles. The role includes counseling, treatment planning, and participation in placement and discharge decisions within the DJJ facilities.

Strong reliability and maturity are expected in this demanding public service position. Responsibilities include documentation, team planning, potential travel, and supporting community reintegration efforts while

Qualifications

• Education required as stated: bachelor's degree in social work or related fields.
• Experience: none required as per listing.
• Substitute education for experience: none.

Responsibilities

• Provides entry level professional social work services to adjudicated juveniles in DJJ facilities.
• Provides beginning level individual, group and family counseling services and develops treatment plans.
• Conducts treatment team planning sessions.
• Participates in placement and discharge of juveniles and assists with community reintegration.
• Writes progress notes, discharge summaries, charting summaries, and other reports; maintains case records.
• Supervises juveniles as needed.
• May require travel and restraining juveniles in some cases.

Education

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

Job description

Advertisement Closes 10/29/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2605629

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 590 Columbia Street
Newport, KY 41071 USA

Description

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.

• 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 Jessica Johnson at [e-mail] or 859-292-6371.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D