Youth Worker I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Kentucky; On-site; USD 62,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Locality premium pay

Shift premium (3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.)

Shift premium (11:01 p.m.–6:59 a.m.)

Weekend/holiday premium pay

Job summary

Department of Juvenile Justice in Kentucky seeks a Youth Worker I to supervise juveniles, maintain security, and support youth development within a residential setting. The role includes discipline, safety, and collaboration with a team to provide life-skills opportunities.

The position requires a high school diploma, is full-time in an executive branch agency, and includes locality and shift premium pay; training academy is mandatory within six months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• No specific experience required.
• Must successfully complete Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Maintains custody and control of juveniles in a custodial setting.
• Maintains shift logs and incident reports; conducts wellness checks.
• Supports routine maintenance and ensures safety of juveniles on site.
• Conveys compliance with policies and procedures; escorts juveniles between areas.
• May require overtime and shift work; drives as needed.

Education

High school graduate

Job description

Advertisement Closes

11/6/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Job ID

2605734

Title

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 | Department of Juvenile Justice

Location

15600 Turner Road
Crittenden, KY 41030 USA

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.

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 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.
• Ability 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.
• Must 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 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.
• 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.
• Required to successfully complete required Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray training and certification. As a condition of employment, employees will be subject to either direct or indirect exposure to OC spray, based on position and job responsibilities.
• Required to complete a required physical examination and receive medical clearance prior to participating in Handle With Care training and certification, which provides verbal and physical intervention strategies for safely managing juveniles. 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 3:00p.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 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, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Dashaun Salmons at [e-mail].

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D