Social Service Counselor 1/2/3

Social Service Counselor 1/2/3

The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is committed to protecting the public by providing safe and effective individualized services to youth, who will become productive, law-abiding citizens. We are seeking a compassionate and skilled professional to serve as a Social Service Counselor, providing direct counseling and case management services to youth in secure care. This role supports the emotional, behavioral, and social development of justice-involved youth through individualized interventions, group facilitation, and collaborative treatment planning. The ideal candidate demonstrates empathy, clinical insight, and a commitment to trauma-informed care and rehabilitation.

An ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:

• Communicating Effectively
• Driving Results
• Making Accurate Judgments
• Managing Resources
• Managing Stakeholders
• Managing Time
• Thinking Critically
• Adapting to Change
• Focusing on Customers
• Following Policies and Procedures

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three years of social services experience; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
• A bachelor's degree.

Experience substitution: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Necessary Special Requirement:

Positions that provide addictive disorder counseling or prevention services will require certification or eligibility for certification issued by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), or its successor.

Job Specification:

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop individualized service plans
• Provide individual and group counseling using evidence-based approaches
• Collaborate with facility staff, families, and external providers to coordinate care
• Monitor youth progress and adjust interventions to meet evolving needs
• Maintain accurate documentation of services, treatment goals, and case notes
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and contribute to case planning
• Advocate for youth needs and support their transition to community-based services

Position-Specific Details:

• Work Location: This vacancy is located at the Lafayette Regional Office in Lafayette, Louisiana.
• Appointment Type: This position will be filled as a full time, probational appointment.
• Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Social Service Counselor 1, 2, or 3.
• The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15.587.1 (c). No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

How To Apply:

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. *Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Garilyn London OJJ/ Human Resources Division Garilyn.London@LA.gov

In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of Juvenile Justice to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) to be considered for employment. The Office of Juvenile Justice is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment-related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resource Guide . If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you will need special accommodations. NOTE: Prior to an appointment, the selected applicant must take and pass a drug screening test, possess a valid Louisiana Driver's License and clear a background check. This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.