Advertisement Closes 4/30/2026 (8:00 PM EDT) 26-01990 Social Service Clinician I Pay Grade 15 Salary $65, Annually Employment Type EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | HR/WK Hiring Agency Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Corrections Location 3111 Spurr Road
Lexington, KY 40511 USA Description The Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC), Division of Adult Institutions operates 13 correctional facilities that house Kentucky's adult inmate population. The mission of DOC is to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth and to provide a safe, secure and humane environment for staff and offenders in carrying out the mandates of the legislative and judicial processes; and, to provide opportunities for offenders to acquire skills which facilitate non-criminal behavior.
Blackburn Correctional Complex is seeking a Social Service Clinician I to work within the Substance Abuse Program at the institution. This position would be involved in the program planning and treatment of offenders in the Substance Abuse Program in order to address their criminogenic needs and prepare them to reenter the community.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide therapeutic counseling, advocacy, and case management for adult offenders within the Department of Corrections Substance Abuse Program.
- Assist in the coordination of substance abuse services with offenders located in correctional facilities or Probation and Parole.
- Responsible for screening, assessment, and treatment of clients with a validated substance use disorder. This includes developing comprehensive treatment plans, participating in interdisciplinary teams, facilitating treatment groups while maintaining clear communication with other correctional staff not directly involved with the offender’s substance abuse treatment.
- Serve as a resource person for staff, service providers, courts, and referral agencies.
- Maintain confidential case records.
- Maintain compliance with substance abuse program licensure standards.
- Comply with substance abuse counselor Code of Ethics and all correctional policies and procedures.
The ideal candidate will have:
- The ability to work in a close setting and within all State Federally mandated deadlines.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- The ability to complete work related activities in a professional manner.
- The ability to multitask with a proven history of sound decision-making abilities in high stress situations.
- The ability to think critically and analyze data to forecast positive outcomes.
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 one year of professional social work experience.
Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE
Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree supplemented by three 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. 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 6 months, except as provided in KRS