Social Service Worker

Final date to receive applications 2/23/2026 (7:00 PM EST)

26-00736

Social Service Worker I

Pay Grade 14

Salary $55,541.52 - $64,816.08 Annually

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

Hiring Agency Cabinet for Health & Family Services | Dept for Community Based Services

Location 1084 Thornberry Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431 USA

The agency may authorize the selected candidate to telecommute. The agency may terminate or modify the telecommuting arrangement at any time. The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) is a multi-faceted agency that provides services and programs to enhance the self-sufficiency of families; improves safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults; and engages families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process.

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 individuals and 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, adults, and local community partners.

The employee is expected to perform at the highest quality to ensure services to vulnerable citizens. This is a demanding position that requires maturity, self-discipline, and the ability to work overtime. Flexible work schedules and shift premiums are available.

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

Career growth is encouraged through training and mentoring. Benefits include health and life insurance, flexible work schedules, paid sick and vacation leave, and retirement benefits.

• Investigate allegations of child and adult abuse, neglect, and/or dependency and exploitation.
• Recruit, train, and approve individuals and families as foster/adoptive homes.
• Meet with family members to determine the merits of a report of child and adult 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 investigative and ongoing case management work.
• Locate and secure appropriate placements for children when necessary.
• Work with families and adults to create case plans for addressing and correcting issues.
• Make referrals to outside community resources to assist the family, adults and children with meeting identified needs for well-being, safety, and permanency.
• Enter case information into the computer.
• Complete court reports and provide testimony during administrative and judicial hearings.
• Work closely with community partners such as law enforcement, school systems, counselors, shelters.

• Experience working with adults, children, and families
• Experience working collaboratively with team members and community partners
• 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

If you are interested in a challenging, yet rewarding opportunity, 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 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  or https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): 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),…