Youth Worker I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Denniston (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift Premium (3–11)

Shift Premium (11–7)

Weekend Premium

Holiday Premium

Job summary

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) seeks a Youth Worker I to join the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet as a full-time employee in Denniston, KY. The role involves custodial responsibilities, supervising juveniles, and supporting safety and daily operations within a secure setting.

Applicants must have a high school diploma and a valid driver's license; DJJ Training Academy participation is required within six months.

Qualifications

• Education: High school graduate.
• Experience, Training, or Skills: NONE
• Substitute Education for Experience: NONE
• Substitute Experience for Education: NONE
• SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid driver's license and complete DJJ Training Academy within six months.

Responsibilities

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting; supervises and monitors activities and escorts juveniles; takes action during emergencies to prevent escapes and suppress disorder.
• Maintains shift logs and incident reports; conducts wellness checks and counts; monitors entry/exit and maintains required certifications.

Education

High school graduate

Job description

Advertisement Closes

9/27/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job Title

Youth Worker I

Pay Grade

10

Salary

$37,778.40 Annually
Shift Premium - $2.13 per hour between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Shift Premium - $1.13 per 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 | Department of Juvenile Justice

Location

158 Shermill Lane
Denniston, KY 40316 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 are required to 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.

Shift Premiums

• 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

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, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

Contact

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Dustin Heitzman at [e-mail] or 606-768-3107.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D