This vacancy is located in the Social Services Department of LDH/OAAS/Villa Feliciana Medical Complex in Jackson, Louisiana. The position can be filled by a probation or promotion of a permanent state employee.

As a part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Social Services Counselor 1, 2, or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). Please refer to the ‘Job Specifications’ tab located at the top of the LA Careers “Current Job Opportunities” page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.

Special Entrance Rate does Apply (SER): SSC 1 - $16.42 hourly, SSC 2 - $17.56 hourly and SSC 3 - $21.27 hourly

This position offers additional pay: Longevity Pay

Benefits of working as a Social Service Counselor at VFMC include flexible work hours, paid holidays, and paid time off.

Please make sure to list ALL work experience on your application. Failure to list all experience on your application may result in a lower classification and/or disqualification.

A Resume will not be accepted in lieu of work experience. An application may be considered incomplete if the work experience and education sections are not completed.

This position is located in East Feliciana Parish, Jackson, Louisiana.

There is no guarantee that all applicants will be interviewed. The hiring manager has 90 days from the closing date of the announcement to make a hiring decision. Should you be selected for an interview, you will be notified by the contact information listed on your application.

All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening and background check.

Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make an attempt to attach a copy of the transcript to your application.
Applicants must have Civil Service test scores for 8100-Professional Level Exam in order to be considered for this vacancy unless exempted by Civil Service rule or policy. If you do not have a score prior to applying to tis posting, it may result in your application not being considered.

Applicants without current test scores can apply to take the test here.

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.

For further information about this vacancy contact:
OAAS/Villa Feliciana Medical Complex
Terrie P. David, Sara Barton, Lacey Hurst, or Marianne Covington, HR Dept.
P.O. Box 438, Jackson, LA 70748
Phone Number 225-634-4011

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A baccalaureate degree.

SUBSTITUTIONS:
Six years of full-time work experience in any field may be substituted for the required baccalaureate degree.

Candidates without a baccalaureate degree may combine work experience and college credit to substitute for the baccalaureate degree as follows:

A maximum of 120 semester hours may be combined with experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.

30 to 59 semester hours credit will substitute for one year of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.
60 to 89 semester hours credit will substitute for two years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.
90 to 119 semester hours credit will substitute for three years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.
120 or more semester hours credit will substitute for four years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

College credit earned without obtaining a baccalaureate degree may be substituted for a maximum of four years full-time work experience towards the baccalaureate degree. Candidates with 120 or more semester hours of credit, but without a degree, must also have at least two years of full-time work experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Positions that provide addictive disorder counseling services require certification or eligibility for certification as a Counselor in Training (CIT), or a current practice credential as a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC), or Licensed Addictive Counselor (LAC) issued by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), or its successor, pursuant to the Addictive Disorders Practice Act, LA RS. 37.3386-3390.6

Positions that provide addictive disorder prevention services require certification or eligibility for certification as a Prevention Specialist in Training (PSIT), or a current practice credential as a Certified Prevention Professional (CPP), Registered Prevention Professional (RPP), Licensed Prevention Professional (LPP) issued by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), or its successor, pursuant to the Addictive Disorders Practice Act, LA RS. 37.3386-3390.6

NOTE:
Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

FUNCTION OF WORK:
To provide general social services work through direct services and/or general counseling.

LEVEL OF WORK:
Entry.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Close from a Social Service Counselor 5, social worker, or other higher-level social services personnel.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.

LOCATION OF WORK:
Department of Health and Hospitals; LSU-Health Sciences Centers, Acute Care Hospitals, Medical Schools; Veterans Affairs; Department of Corrections; Department of Social Services.
JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from the Professional Counselor job series by the absence of a master's degree and licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Differs from the Social Service Counselor 2 by the supervision received.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:
EXAMPLES BELOW ARE A BRIEF SAMPLE OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. NOT ALL POSSIBLE TASKS ARE INCLUDED.

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.