Job Description

Posting number: 402-26-CSSC

Department: DOC-Louisiana State Penitentiary

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 1

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Corrections, Health Services, Mental Health, Social Services, Counseling

Summary

Seal of Louisiana Department of Corrections featuring a pelican, surrounded by the words

Louisiana Department of

Public Safety & Corrections –

Corrections Services

www.doc.louisiana.gov

LOUISIANA STATE PENITENTIARY

Angola, LA

At the Louisiana Department of Corrections, our mission is to promote public safety and strengthen communities through fair, professional, and responsive corrections services. We are committed to protecting the people of Louisiana with integrity, accountability, and a deep respect for the rights and dignity of all.

This is an opportunity to become part of a dedicated team supporting public safety, working in a correctional facility where professionalism, resilience, and teamwork are essential.

We are excited to welcome a compassionate, motivated, and skilled professional to join our team as a Social Service Counselor! Join us in working toward the rehabilitation and successful reentry of individuals in our care. Benefit from set, predictable schedules, a supportive multidisciplinary team, and the unique peace of mind that comes from working in a facility where security is always by your side.

Why work for DOC?

• Culture: DOC values and supports employees through numerous recognition programs, creating a sense of community, prioritizing internal promotional opportunities, clear communication, and professional development.
• Growth: Professional growth is encouraged at DOC through numerous avenues.
• Benefits: DOC offers a generous benefits package including; a defined benefit pension plan, health insurance that is also available post retirement, at least 10 paid holidays, sick and annual leave that rolls over from year to year, paid or time off accrued for hours worked over 40 per week, a deferred compensation plan, a flexible benefits plan, alternate work schedules etc. Alternative work schedules including 4/10’s MAY be an available benefit for certain positions upon meeting the policy requirements.

Please visit our website by clicking here to learn more about DOC, our facilities, and our mission.

An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:

Building and Supporting Teams: The ability to combine one's actions and efforts with others to work toward achieving a common goal.

Focusing on Customers: The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.

Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.

Examples of duties

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.

Qualifications

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

Supplemental information

Obtains and prepares social histories of clients for information to be reviewed by treatment teams and for use in referrals to other agencies.

Participates in the decision making process of the treatment team including formulating therapeutic activities and recommending a treatment plan.

Manages a caseload by scheduling appointments, evaluating client progress in counseling sessions, and making recommendations to the treatment team.

Coordinates admissions, discharges, and follow-up services within various programs.

Serves as liaison between the client, family, and the agency/institution.

Assists in the procurement of needs such as institutional placements, transportation, financial assistance, medical equipment, shelter, food, clothing, etc.

Assists in determining eligibility for services provided.

Makes recommendations to the criminal justice system or to employers concerning a client's progress, including occasional court appearances.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: PROBATION, or PROMOTION OF A PERMANENT, CLASSIFIED LOUISIANA STATE EMPLOYEE

• Current permanent status classified LA State employees may be required to accept a probational appointment if accepted.
• An employee selected for a promotion may be required to serve a trial detail prior to being permanently promoted.
• This posting may also be used to fill a vacancy as a temporary job appointment. If filled as a temporary job appointment, should a permanent position become available, the employee may be converted to a probational appointment.

Compensation: This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER) at each level. However, the salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

• Social Service Counselor 1 has an SER of $ 19.51 per hour
• Social Service Counselor 2 has an SER of $ 20.87 per hour
• Social Service Counselor 3has an SER of $ 25.42 per hour
• Social Service Counselor 4A has an SER of $ 27.20 per hour

This position also offers premium pay……

A rate between $2.00 and $5.00 an hour for each regular hour worked, based on years of service with DOC, in addition to regular pay.

Career Progression Group: SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 1, 2, 3 or 4A

• Filled at the highest level of experience of the selected applicant.
• Salary depends on level of experience.

Other Important Information:

• IMPORTANT: In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of DPS&C-Corrections Services to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), to be considered for employment, by answering ‘YES’ to the PREA question.
• Any degree, certificate, special license, or DD-214 must be verified by official documentation prior to hire.
• Any qualifying experience that is based on college credit/college hours should have an accompanying transcript for verification.
• This is a 24 hour facility.
• Applicants may be required to work shift work
• This Agency is a Drug Free Workplace.

How to Apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

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.

*Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

• There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed. The hiring supervisor/manager has 90 days from the closing date of the announcement to make a hiring decision. Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected.
• To view and apply to any of our other postings we currently have available, click HERE.

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections - Corrections Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any non-merit factor including disability.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Chassity Rheams

Human Resources Department

Chassity.Rheams@la.gov

Ph: (225) 655-2056

Fax: (225) 342-5968