SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 1, 2, OR 3 - SOARS - JOB APPOINTMENT

SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 1, 2, OR 3 - SOARS - JOB APPOINTMENT

Salary

$2,838.00 - $5,113.00 Monthly

Location

Alexandria, LA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

226278

Department

LDH- Central Louisiana Human Services District

Opening Date

09/17/2026

Closing Date

10/8/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

About this Job

Why work for CLHSD?

• Vision: CLHSD excels at making lives better.
• Mission: to increase public awareness of and to provide access for individuals with behavioral health and developmental disabilities.
• Philosophy: to integrate community-based services while promoting wellness, recovery, and independence through education and choice of a broad range of programmatic and community resources.

We're looking for a Social Service Counselor 1, 2, or 3 to serve as a SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) Case Manager will be responsible for assisting eligible individuals with the SSI/SSDI application process by gathering documentation, coordinating services, and providing case management support. This position requires strong organizational skills, the ability to engage a challenging population, and flexibility to work in community-based and non-traditional settings.

An ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:

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.

Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.

Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.

Acting Decisively: The ability to make timely, confident decisions using sound reason.

Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.

Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.

Managing Time: The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and allocate time to ensure timely completion of work goals.

Thinking Strategically: The ability to anticipate trends, understand context, and align actions with long-term priorities.

Using Data: The ability to collect, analyze, and use data to generate insights and inform decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of social services experience; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR

A bachelors 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 and Other Information

Job Duties:

• Collaborate with referral sources and community partners to identify applicants through team meetings, outreach, and referrals.
• Conduct interviews with individuals to gather information for SSI/SSDI applications.
• Prepare SOAR Medical Summary Reports for individual applications.
• Accompany individuals to appointments at the Social Security Administration.
• Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrists, and other specialists to obtain evidence for applications.
• Provide and coordinate case management services with partners to support individuals.
• Meet the target population where and when needed.
• Travel for client meetings, training, collaboration with stakeholders, and off-site coordination with personnel/management.
• Assist the team with administrative tasks as needed.
• Participate in the annual Point in Time Count.
• Cross-train in other job duties (such as SOAR Outreach Worker) to provide backup support to co-workers.
• Adhere to all program policies and procedures.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Temporary Job Appointment. This position may be filled by a temporary job appointment not to exceed 48 months.

Location: This vacancy is located at the Central Louisiana Human Services District. This announcement serves to fill vacancies in our Caring Choices Clinic in Alexandria / Jonesville.

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Social Service Counselor 1, 2, or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant.

Compensation: Note regarding the advertised pay range: The advertised maximum amount listed is the maximum salary a person can make while in this title/level over their career and not the maximum amount we are allowed to pay a new hire.

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

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.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Central Louisiana Human Services District

5411 Coliseum Blvd.

Alexandria, La 71303

Shawanda Gordon

Shawanda.Gordon@clahsd.org

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veterans Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement - State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

01

CE: Communicating Effectively - How well do you share information and ideas in ways that others can understand, relate to, and act on?

• I communicate unclearly, use poor tone, and ignore the audience.
• I share main ideas clearly and adapt to the audience when reminded.
• I communicate clearly, listen actively, and explain complex ideas well.
• I craft messages that connect, inspire, and drive action across audiences.

02

CE: Communicating Effectively - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

03

MT: Managing Time - How well do you manage your time, meet deadlines, and prioritize your work?

• I miss deadlines, struggle to prioritize, and don't use tools to manage my time.
• I complete some tasks but need reminders or get distracted by low-priority activities.
• I plan and complete work on time using tools and strategies to stay focused and on track.
• I balance competing demands, adapt to shifting priorities, and model strong time habits under pressure.

04

MT: Managing Time - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

05

ADi: Accepting Direction - How well do you accept guidance, follow instructions, and adjust when given feedback?

• I resist direction, ignore feedback, and need reminders to complete tasks.
• I follow direction with reminders and often need clarification or support.
• I follow direction reliably, adjust to feedback, and complete tasks on time.
• I adapt quickly, follow through, and help others adjust as needed.

06

ADi: Accepting Direction - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

Required Question

Employer State of Louisiana

Address 1201 N 3rd St

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802

Phone (866) 783-5462

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm