Social Service Worker I

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet•Madisonville, KY

About The Position

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: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/Pages/default.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. 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 888-897-7781 or https://www.e-verify.gov/.

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, 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.

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
The ability to work well under pressure
A willingness to work as part of a team

Responsibilities

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, vacation leave, and retirement benefits.