Commonwealth of Kentucky
Join to apply for the
Social Service Specialist
role at
Commonwealth of Kentucky .
Advertisement closes: 01/19/2026 (7:00 PM EST). Job number: 26‑00114. Pay Grade: 16. Salary: $67,204.32 – $78,425.28 annually. Employment type: Executive Branch, Full‑time, Eligible for overtime pay, 18A, 37.5 hrs/week. Location: Varies)b
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 employee is expected to perform all duties to the best of their ability, act responsibly at all times, and treat all persons with respectafar
. Career growth is encouraged through training and mentoring opportunities.
Job Description The Division of Protection & Permanency (DPP) Out‑of‑Home Care Branch is accepting applications for a Social Service Specialist. This position supports statewide relative and fictive kin programming by assisting in the development of policies and regulations related to kinship care practices in Kentucky. The role provides guidance and oversight to providers creating resources for the kinship care community and offers policy direction on kinship practices across the state.
For more information on the Department for Community ecs: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/pages/default.aspx
Responsibilities
The ability to travel and conduct work in person that includes speaking and presenting to small and large groups is an essential part of the position.
Provides technical assistance and consultation to DCBS staff, DCBS supervisors, and managers in programmatic area regarding safety check and reviews, service array and subsidized permanent custody.
Reviews, provides feedback, and approves foster parent training curriculum.
Reviews complaints, conducts administrative reviews and reviews case situations to determine the appropriateness and quality of service related to kinship practices.
Represents the agencyพรีเมียร์ลีก committees, task forces and seminars, both in and out‑of‑state.
Conducts training in‑person and virtually on a variety of areas of kinship practices for staff and community partners.
Reviews legislation and drafts SOP for program areas pertaining to kinship care.
Analyzes data and management reports.
Develops Standards of Practice policy in accordance with Kentucky regulation and statute.
Monitors kinship program implementation and compiles data andp> ...containing gaps and recommending improvements.
Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Expectations
Experience completing Safety Check and Reviews.
Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive is recommended.
Experience working with kinship families and explaining the service array.
Subsidized permanent custody knowledge is recommended.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Good time management and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced work environment.
A willingness to work as part of a team.
A valid driver’s license.
Some travel will be required.
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 the 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 the 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 authorityImportant: 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.
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 Kristen Breeden at
Kristen.breeden@ky.gov
or 505‑545‑7312.
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
Additional Information
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Other
Industries: Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Social Service Specialist
role at
Commonwealth of Kentucky .
Advertisement closes: 01/19/2026 (7:00 PM EST). Job number: 26‑00114. Pay Grade: 16. Salary: $67,204.32 – $78,425.28 annually. Employment type: Executive Branch, Full‑time, Eligible for overtime pay, 18A, 37.5 hrs/week. Location: Varies)b
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 employee is expected to perform all duties to the best of their ability, act responsibly at all times, and treat all persons with respectafar
. Career growth is encouraged through training and mentoring opportunities.
Job Description The Division of Protection & Permanency (DPP) Out‑of‑Home Care Branch is accepting applications for a Social Service Specialist. This position supports statewide relative and fictive kin programming by assisting in the development of policies and regulations related to kinship care practices in Kentucky. The role provides guidance and oversight to providers creating resources for the kinship care community and offers policy direction on kinship practices across the state.
For more information on the Department for Community ecs: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/pages/default.aspx
Responsibilities
The ability to travel and conduct work in person that includes speaking and presenting to small and large groups is an essential part of the position.
Provides technical assistance and consultation to DCBS staff, DCBS supervisors, and managers in programmatic area regarding safety check and reviews, service array and subsidized permanent custody.
Reviews, provides feedback, and approves foster parent training curriculum.
Reviews complaints, conducts administrative reviews and reviews case situations to determine the appropriateness and quality of service related to kinship practices.
Represents the agencyพรีเมียร์ลีก committees, task forces and seminars, both in and out‑of‑state.
Conducts training in‑person and virtually on a variety of areas of kinship practices for staff and community partners.
Reviews legislation and drafts SOP for program areas pertaining to kinship care.
Analyzes data and management reports.
Develops Standards of Practice policy in accordance with Kentucky regulation and statute.
Monitors kinship program implementation and compiles data andp> ...containing gaps and recommending improvements.
Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Expectations
Experience completing Safety Check and Reviews.
Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive is recommended.
Experience working with kinship families and explaining the service array.
Subsidized permanent custody knowledge is recommended.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Good time management and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced work environment.
A willingness to work as part of a team.
A valid driver’s license.
Some travel will be required.
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 the 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 the 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 authorityImportant: 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.
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 Kristen Breeden at
Kristen.breeden@ky.gov
or 505‑545‑7312.
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
Additional Information
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Other
Industries: Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr