Social Service Worker

Join to apply for the Social Service Worker I role at Commonwealth of Kentucky.

This range is provided by Commonwealth of Kentucky. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$55,541.52/yr - $64,816.08/yr

The agency may authorize the selected candidate to telecommute. The agency may terminate or modify the telecommuting arrangement at any time.

The Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) seeks a Social Service Worker I who is driven to ensure the safety and well‑being of children and families in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With professionalism and integrity, our agency offers services to families to ensure a safe, stable home for children of the Commonwealth.

The Social Service Worker I is a skilled team member, providing a vital link between 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 the ability to work overtime.

This position will be part of the Field Development and Support Branch within the Division of Service Regions. The Field Development and Support Branch is designed to be fluid and move based on where needs exist across the service regions. This position will complete child abuse/neglect investigations and provide treatment support to families throughout the state based on regional need. Extensive travel and, at times, overnight travel are required with this position.

For more information on the Department for Community-Based Services, please visit our website at: .aspx

• 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 the school and medical staff, 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 well‑being
• 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

• Experience working with families and/or children
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Good time management and organizational skills
• The ability to work well under pressure
• A willingness to work as part of a team
• Valid driver’s license

If you are interested in a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to make a positive difference in your community, we would love to review your application for a Social Service Worker I with DCBS.

The position you are applying for has access to or use of federal tax information (FTI) or meets the statutory definition of front‑line staff. Therefore, pursuant to IRS Publication 1075 and 900 KAR 1:009 or KRS 194A.062 and 900 KAR 1:050, applicants for this position in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) shall submit to a fingerprint‑based criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

CHFS also participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. CHFS will only use E‑Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I‑9. For more information on E‑Verify, or if you believe that CHFS has violated its E‑Verify responsibilities, please contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888‑897‑7781 or https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Education: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in social…