Youth Worker I

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet • Mayfield, KY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is hiring a Youth Worker I to work in a highly responsible custodial security role. The department serves juveniles across the Commonwealth and aims to hold youth accountable while helping them develop social and career skills for re-entry into their communities. The employee is expected to perform duties responsibly, demonstrate maturity, reliability, self-discipline, and leadership, and treat staff, youth, and others with respect. Training and mentoring opportunities support career growth and advancement.

The position involves maintaining custody and control of juveniles and supervising their activities in an institutional setting. The employee may work in a day treatment, group home, residential facility, or community office. This is an essential position designated for mandatory operations and may require overtime or any shift as needed. Employees must complete the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment. Academy training includes two weeks of on-the-job training and four weeks, Monday through Friday, at the Louisville training location; overnight lodging and travel are required and provided by the department.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver’s license before employment, and the ability to perform essential functions, including physical effort for proper resident restraint, with or without reasonable accommodation. A physical examination is required; its cost is billed through the employee’s health insurance, and applicable co-pays will be reimbursed by the department. Employees must maintain any required credentials and certifications. Although medical cannabis is legal in Kentucky, employees in this position are prohibited from using it due to applicable state or federal laws.

Requirements

• High school graduate.
• No prior experience, training, or skills required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license before employment and maintain it for the length of employment in this classification.
• Must successfully complete the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment.
• Must maintain required licensure, certifications, or other credentials for the length of employment.
• Must pass a physical examination and be able to perform all essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to exert physical effort for proper restraint of residents based on behavior.
• Must be available to work overtime and any shift as needed and directed.
• Employees in this position are prohibited from using medical cannabis.

Responsibilities

• Maintain custody and control of juveniles in a custodial security setting.
• Supervise and monitor juvenile activities and assist juveniles with interpersonal skill development.
• Escort juveniles between institutional areas.
• Take appropriate action during emergencies to prevent escapes and suppress disorder.
• Maintain shift logs of juvenile activities, notify supervisors of issues, complete incident reports as needed, and assist juveniles with complaint procedures.
• Perform counts and wellness checks for juveniles.
• Monitor individuals entering and leaving institutional grounds.
• Maintain approved physical restraint technique certifications as required by Department of Juvenile Justice policies.
• Provide support services for routine maintenance, check premises, and help ensure juvenile safety.
• Attend staff meetings, case conferences, and training.
• Exert physical effort to restrain residents appropriately based on their behavior and assist youth with recreational and work-related projects as needed.
• Maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment in this classification.

Benefits

• Shift premium of $2.13 per hour for work between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
• Shift premium of $1.13 per hour for work between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
• Weekend premium of $2.13 per hour.
• Holiday premium of $2.13 per hour.
• Overnight lodging and travel for Academy training are provided by the department.
• Applicable co-pays for the required physical examination will be reimbursed by the department.
• Training and mentoring opportunities to support career growth and advancement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED