Social Service Worker I

Employment Type: Executive Branch | Full Time | Eligible for Overtime Pay | 37.5 hours per week

About the Role

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 (DJJ) 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.

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.

Responsibilities

• Provides entry-level professional social work services to adjudicated juveniles in Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facilities.
• Provides beginning-level individual, group, and family counseling services for juveniles served in DJJ facilities and develops individual treatment plans.
• Conducts treatment team planning sessions.
• Participates in placement and discharge of juveniles.
• Assists juvenile service workers with integration of juveniles back to the community.
• Writes progress notes, discharge summaries, charting summaries, and other administrative or treatment reports.
• Maintains current and confidential case records.
• Supervises juveniles as needed.
• Minimum travel may be required.
• May be required to restrain out-of-control juveniles.

Requirements

• Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field.
• If employed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice, must furnish documentation of a valid driver's license within one month of employment.
• Must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment in this job classification.

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 a 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 annually

Schedule

37.5 hours per week