Social Service Worker I

About the role

The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) seeks a Social Service Worker I who is driven to succeed in helping people and advance family self-sufficiency. With professionalism and integrity, our agency offers services to families to ensure safe, stable homes for the children of the Commonwealth. The Social Service Worker I is a skilled team member, providing a vital link between the children, families and local community partners. The employee is expected to perform at the highest quality to ensure services to the vulnerable citizens. This is a demanding position that requires maturity, self-discipline and ability to work overtime.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of child abuse, neglect, and/or dependency
• Meet with family members to determine the merits of a report of child neglect and/or abuse
• Meet with other interested parties such as school and medical staff in order to gather additional information
• Complete detailed assessments based on the facts obtained during home visits and meetings with interested parties
• Work with families to create a case plan for addressing and correcting issues within the household
• Make referrals to outside community resources to assist the family in overcoming identified barriers and to keep children safe in a permanent home and promote their wellbeing
• Enter case information into the computer
• Complete court reports as needed
• Provide testimony during administrative and judicial hearings
• Work closely with community partners such as law enforcement, school systems, counselors, and shelters

Qualifications

Education: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.

Experience, training, or skills: None required.

Special requirements: If employed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice, an employee in this job classification must furnish to the appointing authority within one month of employment, documentation that he/she possesses a valid driver's license. 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: Performs job duties in an office/facility or residential program setting and visits clients and/or families at their residence. Provides emergency services on 24-hour basis, including accepting referrals and completing investigations at any hour without prior warning. As a result of enforced intervention, the worker runs the risk of physical harm.

Pay

$55,541.52 - $64,816.08 annually

Schedule

37.5 hours per week, full time, eligible for overtime pay