Youth Worker I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Crittenden (KY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Locality premium pay

Shift premium

Weekend premium

Holiday premium

Job summary

Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a Youth Worker I to maintain custody and supervise juveniles in a secure setting at the Crittenden location. The role includes escort duties, incident reporting, and wellness checks, with required certifications and on-call overtime as needed.

This is a full-time executive branch position in Lexington's DJJ with locality and shift premium pay, offering growth through training and potential advancement within the department.

Qualifications

• High school graduate 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 appropriate action during emergencies to prevent escapes and suppress disorder.
• Maintains shift logs and notifies supervisors; completes incident reports.
• Performs counts and wellness checks; monitors entry/exit of grounds.
• Maintains physical restraint technique certifications as required by DJJ policies.
• Provides support for maintenance tasks; ensures safety of juveniles; attends meetings and trainings.

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Advertisement Closes 9/2/2026 (11:59 PM ET) 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 Hiring Agency Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice Location 15600 Turner Road Crittenden, KY 41030

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 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.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To, The Following

• 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 prevent escapes and suppress disorder.
• Maintains shift logs on juvenile’s activities and notifies supervisors of issues; completes incident reports as needed; assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Performs counts and, or, wellness checks for juveniles.
• Monitors individuals entering and leaving institutional grounds.
• Maintains approved physical restraint technique certifications as required by DJJ policies.
• Provides support services for routine maintenance, etc.; checks premises and ensures safety of juveniles; 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 Appointing Authority; 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 weeks on 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 job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation. The cost of the physical examination will be billed through 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 measure being taken by the department to improve recruitment and retention to meet the continuing critical staffing needs in these counties.

Additionally, a shift premium of $2.13 an hour has been approved for all youth workers working between 3:00 p.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 and holidays.

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 of Juvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment. https://djj.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx 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 Typically works in a day treatment, group home, or residential facility, or community office setting. May be exposed to hazards and 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