Social Service Clinician

Final date to receive applications

7/12/2026 (8:00 PM EDT)

Social Service Clinician I

Pay Grade 15

Salary: $65,168.64 Annually

Employment Type:

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 40.0 HR/WK

for more details on state employment.

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Corrections

710 Walter Reed Rd, Burgin, KY 40310 USA

Who wouldn’t want the chance to work and grow within the largest substance use disorder treatment program in the state? The Kentucky Department of Corrections can offer you the chance to be the navigator of change while you explore opportunities to work inside licensed substance abuse treatment programs in prison or out in the community with offenders on Probation and Parole.

With approximately 6000 treatment slots across the state, there are plenty of opportunities for you and your career goals. Don’t just navigate for your clients, navigate your own career, and become a part of one of the fastest growing professions, a Substance Use Disorder counselor.

At the Kentucky Department of Corrections, the Division of Addiction Services has a motto, "We Change Lives, We Change Outcomes and We Change Tomorrow Today." Aren’t you ready for a change?

• Provides therapeutic counseling, advocacy, and case management for adult offenders within the Department of Corrections Division of Addiction Services.
• Assists in the coordination of substance use disorder treatment services with offenders located in Correctional Facilities or Probation and Parole.
• Responsible for screening, assessment, and treatment of clients with a validated substance use disorder. This includes developing a comprehensive treatment plan, participating in interdisciplinary teams, facilitating treatment groups while maintaining clear communication with other correctional staff not directly involved with the offender’s substance abuse treatment.
• Serves as a resource person for staff, service providers, courts, and referral agencies.
• Maintain confidential case records
• Must be in compliance with all substance abuse program licensure standards
• Comply with the Alcohol and Drug Counselor’s Code of Ethics and all correctional policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate should possess the ability to work in a close setting and within all State and Federally mandated deadlines. They should possess strong verbal and written communication skills and have displayed the ability to complete work related activities in a professional manner. The ideal candidate should be able to multitask with a proven history of sound decision making in high stress situations.

This candidate should display the ability to think critically and analyze data to forecast positive outcomes. This candidate should possess the ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the Department and Division.

EDUCATION: A master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR

SKILLS:

Must have one year of professional social work experience.

Substitute EDUCATION for

EXPERIENCE:

NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for

EDUCATION:

A bachelor's degree supplemented by three years of professional social work experience will substitute for the primary education and experience 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.

Performs job duties in an office/facility 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.

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 Tiffany Shepherd pherd

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D