SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 1/2/3
About the role
The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) seeks a compassionate and skilled Social Service Counselor to play a vital role in the rehabilitation and well-being of youth in secure care. The ideal candidate will bring empathy, strong clinical insight, and a commitment to trauma-informed, youth-centered care.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- Auxiliary duties include supporting dormitory operations by assisting the Group Leader with daily routines, youth needs, activities, and informal staff oversight; representing supervisory staff when needed.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
Skills
- 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.
Benefits
- Insurance Coverage
- Parental Leave
- Holidays and Leave
- Retirement
Pay
- Commensurate with experience
Schedule
- TBD
Contact Information
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).