Youth Worker I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Booker (AR); On-site; USD 47,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking a Youth Worker I to provide secure supervision for youth in a state juvenile justice setting. You will escort youths, monitor activities, and respond to emergencies to prevent incidents, while maintaining logs and ensuring safety and compliance with DJJ policies.

The role requires a high school diploma, and no prior experience is required. The position offers full-time employment with weekend and holiday premiums and travel for training as

Qualifications

• High school graduate required.
• No prior experience required.

Responsibilities

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting.
• Supervises and monitors activities of DJJ juveniles; assists in interpersonal skill development.
• Escorts juveniles between institutional areas.
• Takes action during emergencies to prevent escapes and suppress disorder.
• Maintains shift logs and completes incident reports.
• Performs counts and wellness checks for youths.
• Monitors visitors and staff on grounds.
• Maintains restraints certifications as required by DJJ policies.
• Supports routine maintenance and safety checks; attends meetings and trainings.
• Exerts physical effort in restraining residents as needed.
• May assist youth with recreational and work projects.
• This position is essential and designated for mandatory operations.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Advertisement Closes

9/2/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job ID

req80807

Youth Worker I

Pay Grade

10

Salary

$39,127.68 Annually
Locality Premium – $2.64 per hour
Shift Premium - $2.13 an hour between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Shift Premium $1.13 an hour between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
Weekend Premium - $2.13 per hour
Holiday Premium - $2.13 per hour

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 40.0 HR/WK

Click here for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice

Location

15600 Turner Road
Crittenden, KY 41030

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 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.

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting.
• At beginning level,supervises and monitors activities of DJJ juveniles; assists juveniles in interpersonal skill development.
• Escorts juveniles between various institutional areas.
• Takes appropriate action during emergencies to preventescapes and suppress disorder.
• Maintains shift logs on juvenile’s activities and notifies supervisors of issues; completes incidentreports as needed; assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Performs counts and, or, wellness checks forjuveniles.
• Monitors individuals entering and leaving institutional grounds.
• Maintains approved physicalrestraint technique certifications as required by DJJ policies.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance, etc.; checks premises and ensures safety ofjuveniles; attends staff meetings, case conferences and trainings.
• Required to be able to exert physical effort in the proper restraint of residents based on behavior.
• May perform other physical efforts in assisting youth with recreational and work related projects.
• This position is deemed essential and has been designated for mandatory operations by the AppointingAuthority; therefore, the incumbent is not eligible for Adverse Weather Leave.
• Required to have and maintain a valid driver’s licenses for the length of employment in this classification.
• May be required to work overtime and any shift as needed and directed.
• Required to successfully complete the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy; which entails two weekson the job training, four weeks (Monday – Friday) at the academy training location (Louisville, Kentucky).
• Overnight lodging and travel is required for the ACT and provided by the department.
• Applicants must successfully pass a physical examination and be able to perform all essential jobfunctions, with or without reasonable accommodation. The cost of the physical examination will be billedthrough the employee’s health insurance; however, any applicable co-pays will be reimbursed by the department.

For additional information, please contact the program’s administrative staff.

This position will receive locality premium pay ($2.64 added to the hourly rate) pursuant to 101 KAR 2:034.The locality premium pay is not considered a raise or part of base pay; rather, it is a temporary measurebeing taken by the department to improve recruitment and retention to meet the continuing critical staffingneeds in these counties.

Additionally, a shift premium of $2.13 an hour has been approved for all youth workers working between 3:00p.m. and 11:00 p.m., a $1.13 an hour between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m., and $2.13 an hour on weekends andholidays.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: High school graduate

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Must possess a valid driver's license prior to employment in this job classification. Must successfully complete the Department ofJuvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment. https://djj.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx Must maintain anyrequired licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment in this job classification. Employingagency is responsible for ensuring employee possesses and maintains required licensure(s), certification(s) or other credentials.

Working Conditions

Typically works in a day treatment, group home, or residential facility, or community office setting. May be exposed to hazardsand dangers associated with operating a motor vehicle while providing transportation services.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months. For additional information refer to: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/kar/101/001/325.pdf

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Deborah Schulte at [e-mail] or 859-363-2506

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D