Job Description

Posting number: 403CCY-SSC123-CTS26

Department: Office of Juvenile Justice

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 1

Posting type: Open

Categories: Corrections, Social Services, Law Enforcement, Miscellaneous, Counseling

Summary

Office of Juvenile Justice

Office of Juvenile Justice

Swanson Center for Youth-Columbia

132 LA-850, Columbia, LA 71418

https://ojj.la.gov/location/swanson-center-for-youth-columbia

THIS IS A CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT

The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is driven by a powerful mission: protecting the public while transforming the lives of youth through safe, effective, and individualized services that help them grow into productive, law-abiding citizens. We are excited to welcome a compassionate, motivated, and skilled professional to join our team as a Social Service Counselor, playing a vital role in the rehabilitation and well-being of youth in secure care.

In this impactful position, you will provide direct counseling and case management that supports each youth’s emotional, behavioral, and social development. Through meaningful one-on-one interventions, dynamic group facilitation, and collaborative treatment planning, you will help guide young people toward healthier choices and brighter futures. The ideal candidate brings empathy, strong clinical insight, and a deep commitment to trauma-informed, youth-centered care—someone who believes in the potential of every young person and is energized by the opportunity to make a lasting difference.

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrating Accountability: Owns results, meets standards, and responds to feedback professionally.
• Focusing on Customers: Understands customer needs, communicates clearly, and delivers timely, reliable service.
• Making Accurate Judgments: Makes timely, well-reasoned decisions using available info, context, and trade-offs.
• Acting with Ethics and Integrity: Acts with integrity, respects confidentiality, and treats people fairly.
• Adapting to Change: Adjusts quickly and stays effective during change.

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

Job Duties:

• Provide individual and group counseling using behavior-modification, reality-based, and supportive therapeutic approaches.
• Collaborate with security, education, and clinical staff to develop a full profile of each youth.
• Represent youth in Reclassification, Code of Conduct, and other classification-related meetings.
• Monitor PbS data quarterly and participate in in-service training; serve as liaison across facility departments.
• Deliver targeted counseling for a designated dormitory population with significant behavioral and emotional challenges.
• Initiate, coordinate, and track psychiatric and psychological referrals; distribute clinical reports to relevant departments.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate multidisciplinary groups and programs (substance abuse, crisis counseling, Thinking for a Change, pro-social skills, victim awareness, LAMOD, family groups, regional staffings).
• Prepare progress reports, closing summaries, and correspondence for courts, probation, parole, and other agencies.
• Make recommendations for early release, step-down placement, or transfer to more secure settings when appropriate.
• Maintain complete and accurate case records, including counseling notes, visitation updates, custody levels, and required documentation for courts and families.
• Support dormitory operations by assisting the Group Leader with daily routines, youth needs, activities, and informal staff oversight; represent supervisory staff when needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including Social Services Counselor responsibilities.

Position-Specific Details:

Work Location: This vacancy is located at the Swanson Center for Youth in Columbia, Louisiana.

Appointment Type: Full-time Probational, Promotional, Detail to Special Duty, or Job 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) .

The Office of Juvenile Justice will receive a list of eligible applicants ONLY from the people who respond to this posting.

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.

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.