Social Service Specialist

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10 / 13 / 2025 (8 : 00 PM EDT)

25-06073

Social Service Specialist

Pay Grade16

Salary

$67,204.32 - $78,425.28 Annually

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR / WK

Click here for more details on state employment.

Hiring Agency

Cabinet for Health & Family Services | Dept for Community Based Services

Location

908 W Broadway

Louisville, KY 40203 USA

The agency may authorize the selected candidate to telecommute. The agency may terminate or modify thetelecommuting arrangement at any time.

Description

This position will be in Jefferson Service Region.

The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) is a multi-faceted agency that provides servicesand program to enhance the self-sufficiency of families; improve safety and permanency for children andvulnerable adults; and engage families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process. Thelocation of this position will vary dependent upon the successful candidate.

DCBS seeks a Social Service Specialist (Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter) under the Regional Permanency Branchwithin the Division of Service Regions. This position will be responsible for following the Wendy's WonderfulKids (WWK) child focused recruitment model. The focus will be on securing permanency for youth in foster carewithout identified permanency options.

This position will interact with the service regions and collaboratewith field staff with a focus on the children being served. The employee is expected to perform at the highestquality to ensure services to the vulnerable citizens. This is a demanding position that requires maturity,self-discipline, and the ability to work overtime.

For more information on the Department for Community Based Services, please visit our website at :

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.

The position you are applying for has access to or use of federal tax information (FTI) or meets the statutorydefinition of front-line staff. Therefore, pursuant to IRS Publication 1075 and 900 KAR 1 : 009 or KRS 194A.062and 900 KAR 1 : 050, applicants for this position in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) shallsubmit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check by the Department of Kentucky State Police and theFederal Bureau of Investigation.

Responsibilities and Duties :

• Works collaboratively with families, social workers, community partners, therapists and others towardspermanency for youth in out of home care who are post-termination of parental rights.
• Provides case work with the children and families during the normal course of adoption preparation.This involves removing barriers that might prevent placement stability and adoption finalization.
• Coordinates all adoptive services for the children on their caseload according to the Wendy's WonderfulKids child focused recruitment model.
• Educates and provides information regarding the child specific model to the courts, private agencies,DCBS staff and therapists.
• Enters data and provides information to the Dave Thomas Foundation on a monthly basis for the purpose ofanalyzing the success of the program.
• This position will require extensive travel on an ongoing basis.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

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 Heather Byers at Heather.Byers@ky.gov or 270-231-2614.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M / F / D