Social Service Worker I

The Division of Guardianship makes personal and financial decisions for individuals adjudicated dependent and appointed by the District Courts to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The division provides individualized decisions based on the best interest, most appropriate and least restrictive alternatives for those appointed to guardianship. The department works with a very diverse population, community resources, the court system, community partners, and family members of individuals appointed to guardianship and other Cabinet and department staff in a collaborative relationship. The Department is looking for an individual with the passion to help others.

The successful candidate should be professional, polite, and able to work with a diverse population. The candidate must be able to deal with difficult situations in a calm, respectful manner. They should be responsive, willing to meet each challenge directly and able to ask for assistance or guidance when needed. The successful candidate must have the drive to meet the needs of those we serve.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides face to face visits with individuals under guardianship to assess needs and living conditions.

• Prepares court reports and monitors conditions as set by the court appointment.

• Works with residential providers, community partners and other department staff to assist with meeting the needs of the individual under guardianship.

• Responsible for working as a member of the service plan review team, planning, and developing the plan of care and service provisions for individuals under guardianship.

• Provides expert court testimony and works with referral sources to provide education regarding guardianship, ensuring referrals are appropriate prior to petitioning the court for appointment.

• Maintains accurate and up to date information though entering documentation in the data base.

• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent computer skills.

• Ability to plan and establish priorities.

• Attention to detail being thorough and accurate in completing tasks.

• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.

This position may be responsible for covering multiple counties within the service region including Boone County and surrounding.

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://dhs.gov/e-verify.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy or a related field.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE

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 or residential program setting and visits clients and/or families at their residence. Provides emergency services on 24-hour basis, including accepting referrals and completing investigations at any hour without prior warning. As a result of enforced intervention, the worker runs the risk of physical harm.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 9 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Rachel Harmon at Rachel.Harmon@ky.gov or 859-479-9702.