Social Service Worker I

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

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) seeks a Social Service Worker I to support family self-sufficiency and child safety. This senior entry-level role demands maturity, reliability, and overtime readiness.

You will collaborate with schools, medical staff, and law enforcement to protect vulnerable individuals. The position emphasizes detailed case assessment, placement coordination, and effective referrals, with overtime premiums and flexible

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.
• Experience, Training, or Skills: NONE

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of child and adult abuse, neglect, and/or dependency and exploitation.
• Recruit, train, and approve individuals and families as foster/adoptive homes.
• Meet with family members to determine the merits of a report of child and adult neglect and/or abuse.
• Meet with other interested parties such as school and medical staff in order to gather additional information.
• Complete detailed assessments based on investigative and ongoing case management work.
• Locate and 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 provide testimony during administrative and judicial hearings.
• Work closely with community partners such as law enforcement, school systems, counselors, shelters, vacation leave, and retirement benefits.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Organizational skills

Team player

Experience with families

Team collaboration

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Job description

Salary

$58,333.68 - $66,110.88 Annually

Employment Type

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

Location

2855 Jackson Street
Paducah, KY 42003 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) is a multi-faceted agency that provides services and programs to enhance the self-sufficiency of families; improves safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults; and engages 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 to ensure safe, stable homes for the children of the Commonwealth. The Social Service Worker I is a skilled team member, providing a vital link between the children, families, adults, and local community partners. The employee is expected to perform at the highest quality to ensure services to vulnerable citizens. This is a demanding position that requires maturity, self-discipline, and the ability to work overtime. Flexible work schedules and shift premiums are available.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of child and adult abuse, neglect, and/or dependency and exploitation.
• Recruit, train, and approve individuals and families as foster/adoptive homes.
• Meet with family members to determine the merits of a report of child and adult neglect and/or abuse.
• Meet with other interested parties such as school and medical staff in order to gather additional information.
• Complete detailed assessments based on investigative and ongoing case management work.
• Locate and 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 provide testimony during administrative and judicial hearings.
• Work closely with community partners such as law enforcement, school systems, counselors, shelters, vacation leave, and retirement benefits.

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 offer and 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/.

Ideal Candidate

• Experience working with adults, children, and families
• Experience working collaboratively with team members and 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

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D