Social Service Specialist

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; improve safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults; and engage families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process.

The Division of Prevention and Community Wellbeing offers an opportunity to guide the public and agency staff as they work with families, children, and adults to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being. We seek a Social Service Specialist with a passion for child welfare and an interest in secondary prevention efforts to help families and children across the Commonwealth be successful. Social Service Specialists provides expert consultative services.

This is a demanding position that requires maturity and self-discipline. 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 Specialist with DCBS.

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.

Responsibilities include but not limited too

• Providing consultation and training to staff on prevention services.

• Plans, implements, and monitors initiatives regarding the Family First Prevention Services Act.

• Collaborates with providers and provides training and information around evidenced-based practices.

• Drafts and completes legislative bill reviews, proposals, presentations, etc. regarding in-home and prevention services.

• Coordinates and develops budget and contract language regarding Title IVE reimbursement.

• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Expectations include, but are not limited to:

• Experience working with families and/or children.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Good time management and organizational skills.

• Ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced work environment.

• A willingness to work as part of a team.

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 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/.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: A master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Must have three years of professional social work experience.

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree supplemented by five years of professional social work experience will substitute for the primary education and experience requirements.

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), 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.

Working Conditions

Performs job duties in an office/facility setting and visits clients and/or families at their residence.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Dana Fryman at danaa.fryman@ky.gov or 502-564-6931.