Department for Community Based Services Jobs

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) has multiple job openings in its offices across the state so you can be a part of our agency's transformation and our work to make a difference for all Kentuckians.

At DCBS, we protect and support vulnerable children, adults and families in every county through in-person and remote assistance.

If you like working with families and community partners and want to make a difference providing quality service, consider a DCBS career. Learn more here about our great opportunities and benefits.




What is DCBS?​

​The Department for Community Based Services is Kentucky’s primary human services agency and part of the larger Cabinet for Health and Family Services. We serve our customers through our offices in all 120 counties organized into nine service regions. Services we provide include child care assistance, Medicaid and food benefits through our Division of Family Support. We coordinate safety assessments for children and adults and administer the foster care and adoption programs through our Division of Protection and Permanency. We also support all child care providers through our Division of Child Care. We are proud to enhance our service through close relationships and coordination with our community partners.

Read more about the work of DCBS

See our map of service regions

Find a local DCBS office

​​Two DCBS staff describe the sense of purpose they get from their DCBS careers in this video from the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet.​

Where are the jobs in DCBS?

We have job openings in all nine DCBS service regions with offices in all 120 counties and our central office in Frankfort. Most jobs offer a hybrid schedule with both in-office and remote work. Some positions offer 100 percent remote work. This is noted on each job posting through the Team Kentucky jobs website.

We have a variety of job openings - with ​an urgent need for applicants for certain positions in all regions:​

​Family Support Specialist I

Salary

Starting salary for a 37.5-hour work week is $3,329.08 per month. An additional $4/hour locality premium is paid for staff serving Jefferson County. After successfully completing a six-month initial probationary period, workers receive an additional 5 percent base salary increase.

Job Description

  • Under direct supervision, interviews clients for basic programs, completes appropriate forms and gathers required documentation to make program/benefits eligibility determinations
  • Participates in formal training to learn various public assistance program requirements, forms, policies and procedures
  • Learns to operate computer and use software applications used to verify client information and calculate program benefits
  • Tracks processing deadlines for timely re-determinations and case hearings
  • Assists in responding to requests from clients, government officials and agency staff

Minimum Requirements

  • Must complete two years (54 semester hours) from a college/university, or
    • administrative work, clerical office work and/or work dealing directly with the public will substitute for up to one year of required college, or
    • experience reviewing, monitoring, determining eligibility for and/or administering food assistance programs. the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program, medical assistance programs, child support or other public assistance programs will substitute for required college on a year-for-year basis.

Social Service Worker I

Salary

Starting salary for a 37.5-hour work week is $4,628.46 per month. An additional $4/hour locality premium is paid for staff serving Jefferson County only. After successfully completing a nine-month initial probationary period, workers receive an additional 5 percent base salary increase.

Job Description

  • Provide family- or community-based prevention services including, but not limited to, child protection, adult protection, juvenile justice, guardianship services, adoption services and services to juvenile offenders
  • Assess allegations of child, spouse and/or adult abuse and neglect
  • Work as a member of a team with paraprofessional and professional staff to ensure unified service delivery
  • Develop service objectives and plans, make appropriate referrals, provide and coordinate needed services
  • Recruit and approve adoptive, foster care and family care home applicants
  • Assist in the placement of children or juveniles in adoptive, foster care and family care homes or juvenile facilities

Minimum Education Requirements

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

Benefits of working at DCBS

Employment with DCBS offers many great benefits.

State Benefits

  • Hybrid and flexible work schedules
  • Annual, sick, compensatory leave
  • Health insurance and other optional Insurance including vision, dental and life
  • Adoption benefit
  • Deferred compensation
  • Paid holidays
  • Retirement
  • Paid overtime
  • Wellness program
  • Employee discount for products and services including electronics; health and wellness; retail; travel, food and entertainment; and education
DCBS-Specific Benefits
  • On-the-job training and the opportunity to work with diverse populations
  • Shift premium pay work options ($5/hour)
  • Educational benefits (MSW stipend program)
Jefferson County-Specific Benefit
  • Locality premiums ($4/per hour; for Jefferson Service Region Branch staff only)

Documentation

How to Apply for DCBS Jobs

To apply for jobs with state government, you must create an online applicant profile.

To create an applicant profile and view DCBS job postings and apply for openings, visit the Team Kentucky jobs page.

Need extra help?

The External Applicant Guide offers step-by-step instructions on how to create your profile and apply for positions.

Connect with DCBS about Job Openings

Have a question about a DCBS job opening? Or want to invite one of our human resources experts to exhibit or speak at your organization's next career day or job fair? Email us with your questions or outreach opportunities.

Print and Share DCBS Job Recruitment Materials

DCBS Career Publications

Jefferson Region Specific Publications 


Additional Information