Youth Worker III

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Denniston (KY); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift Premium - $2.13/hr (3:00 PM–11:0

Shift Premium - $1.13/hr (11:01 PM–6:?

Holiday Premium - $2.13/hr

Weekend Premium - $2.13/hr

Job summary

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, under the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet, seeks a Youth Worker III to co-lead group counseling, supervise juvenile residents, and support treatment plans. This role requires maturity, reliability, and potential for career growth through training and mentoring opportunities.

The position pays $43,733.88–$53,861.76 annually, with shift and weekend premiums. Location: Denniston, KY; full-time with overtime eligibility.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in supervision and care of young adults (ages 12-21) in residential, correctional, group home, detention or day treatment programs.
• College substitute allowed year-for-year for experience.
• Completion of Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy or equivalent training can substitute for two years of required experience.

Responsibilities

• Co-leads group counseling sessions and supervises juveniles.
• Supervises DJJ juveniles and assists in interpersonal skill development.
• Participates in individual treatment plan development and security room checks.
• Maintains shift logs and incident reports; assists with complaint procedures.
• Performs routine building maintenance and notifies supervisors of corrections needed.
• Exerts physical effort to restrain residents when required.
• May assist with recreational and work-related projects for youth.
• This position is essential and designated for mandatory operations; Adverse Weather Leave not eligible.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license; overtime and other shifts may be required.

Skills

Youth supervision

Education

High school graduate

Job description

Advertisement Closes

9/21/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Youth Worker III

Pay Grade 12

Salary

• $43,733.88 - $53,861.76 Annually

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.
• Holiday Premium - $2.13 per hour

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

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 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 job classification is approved for the following shift premiums, in compliance with 101 KAR 2:034 Section 9(2), which are applied to the base salary: $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.

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

• At third level of series, co-leads group counseling sessions and supervises/monitors juveniles committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
• Supervises and monitors activities of DJJ juveniles; assists juveniles in interpersonal skill development; co-leads group counseling sessions for assigned juveniles.
• Participates in juveniles' individual treatment plan development; ensures security room checks are performed during shifts.
• Maintains shift logs regarding juveniles' behaviors and events; completes incident reports and assists juveniles in complaint procedures.
• Provides routine building maintenance, housekeeping, etc. and notifies supervisors of corrections needed.
• Must 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.
• 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.
• Must 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.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION:

High school graduate.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS:

Must have three years of experience in the supervision and care of young adults (ages 12-21) in a residential, correctional, group home, detention or day treatment program. OR Three years of experience working in a community office setting providing transportation services to court committed young adults (ages 12-21).

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE:

College will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. OR Successful completion of the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy or equivalent training program approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice will substitute for two years of the required experience.

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 in a 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 Dustin Heitzman at [e-mail] or 606-786-3107.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D