Social Service Worker I

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet•Paducah, KY

8d•$58,334 - $66,111•Onsite

About The Position

The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) provides services and programs to support family self-sufficiency, improve safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults, and promote collaborative decision-making with families and community partners. The Social Service Worker I is a skilled team member who connects children, families, adults, and local community partners and provides services to help ensure safe, stable homes. The role requires professionalism, integrity, maturity, self-discipline, and the ability to work overtime. Flexible work schedules and shift premiums are available. The position works in an office, facility, or residential program setting and includes visits to clients or families at their residences. It provides emergency services on a 24-hour basis, including accepting referrals and conducting investigations at any hour without prior warning. Enforced interventions may involve a risk of physical harm. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field. No experience, training, or skills are required as minimum qualifications. Employees must provide documentation of a valid driver's license within one month of employment and maintain any required licenses, certifications, or credentials. The position requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check. The job has an initial and promotional probationary period of nine months, except as provided by KRS 18A.111.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a college or university in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field.
No experience, training, or skills are required as minimum qualifications.
If employed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice, provide documentation of a valid driver's license within one month of employment.
Maintain any required licenses, certifications, or other credentials for the duration of employment.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Ideal candidates have experience working with adults, children, and families.
Ideal candidates have experience collaborating with team members and community partners.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Good time-management and organizational skills.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Willingness to work as part of a team.
Ability to work overtime.

Nice To Haves

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.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Willingness to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Investigate allegations of child and adult abuse, neglect, dependency, and exploitation.
Recruit, train, and approve individuals and families as foster or adoptive homes.
Meet with family members to assess reports of child and adult neglect or abuse.
Meet with other relevant parties, including school and medical staff, to gather 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 to address and correct issues.
Refer families, adults, and children to community resources to meet identified needs for well-being, safety, and permanency.
Enter case information into a computer.
Complete court reports and provide testimony during administrative and judicial hearings.
Work closely with community partners, including law enforcement, school systems, counselors, and shelters.
Provide emergency services, accept referrals, and complete investigations at any hour without prior warning.