Social Services Counselor 1-4B

Social Services Counselor 1-4B

Salary

$2,838.00 - $5,113.00 Monthly

Location

Jackson, LA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

ELMHS7.29.26SSC1-4B

Department

LDH-Office of Behavioral Health

Opening Date

07/29/2026

Closing Date

8/3/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

About this Job

Division: Within the Social Services Department at ELMHS, Located in Jackson, LA

The Mission of ELMHS is to provide mental health evaluation, treatment, habilitation, and consultation for adults. Programs include inpatient interventions, jail-based evaluations, supervised group home and residential programs, forensic evaluation, care, custody, and aftercare; intermediate and long-term psychiatric services are coordinated with the total system of care in Louisiana

ELMHS is seeking a passionate Social Service Counselor to deliver client-centered services. The ideal candidate will have experience working with diverse populations facing mental health challenges, trauma, or crises.

An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:

Displaying Expertise: The ability to exhibit specialized skills or knowledge gained from experience or training

Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards.

Managing Stakeholders: The ability to identify and to respond to the sometimes-competing perspectives, agendas, and expectations of different parties.

Thinking Critically: The ability to objectively question, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information to form a conclusion.

Driving Results: The ability to identify important goals and work to achieve them.

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:

• Provides direct services as a leader for the Competency Restoration group with pre-trial clients who enter the facility as not competent to proceed.
• Coordinates, implements, and monitors the provision of substance abuse education, treatment, and relapse prevention.
• Completes social needs health equity assessments on all intakes and provides statistical data for Total Quality Management (TQM)
• Documents treatment summaries on each clients chart, specifying progress towards treatment objectives and goal,s and response to interventions using the BIRP documentation method. Documents daily for all social services provided.
• Documents daily pertinent information needed by other treatment team providers for optimal care.
• Participate in educational trainings that are mandatory for accreditation and licensure of the facility.
• Maintains current, valid, and unencumbered motor vehicle operator's license.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational or Promotional

Career Progression: This position may be filled as Social Service Counselor 1 - Social Service Counselor 4A/B based on experience

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Compensation:

• This position has an SER of

• $19.51 an hour or $1560.80 bi-weekly for Social Service Counselor 1

• $20.87 an hour or $1669.60 bi-weekly for Social Service Counselor 2

• $25.42 an hour or $2033.60 bi-weekly for Social Service Counselor 3

• $27.20 an hour or $27.20 bi-weekly for Social Service Counselor 4A/B

• This position is eligible for Longevity Pay starting at $2.00 Per Hour Physically Worked

This posting may be used to fill any Social Service Counselor 1-4A/B vacancy within ELMHS.

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). Resumeswill 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:

Leigh Moore

ELMHS HR

ELMHS-HR@LA.GOV

225-634-0680

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

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

Are you a current, permanent employee at Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you ever been on probation or sentenced to jail/prison as a result of a felony conviction or guilty plea to a felony charge?

• Yes
• No

03

If 'Yes', give the law enforcement authority (city police, sheriff, FBI, etc.), the offense, place and disposition of case. If 'No', enter N/A

04

DE: Displaying Expertise - How well do you apply subject-matter expertise to solve problems, share insights, and communicate effectively with others?

• I struggle to explain basic concepts, apply subject-matter knowledge, or share accurate information.
• I apply subject-matter knowledge in typical situations and communicate clearly with some guidance or support.
• I use my subject-matter expertise to solve problems, explain concepts clearly, and tailor communication to different audiences.
• I demonstrate deep subject-matter expertise, explain complex topics with clarity, and provide strategic insights that support broader goals.

05

DE: Displaying Expertise - 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.

06

DR: Driving Results - How well do you set goals, stay focused, and follow through-especially when faced with challenges or competing demands?

• I struggle to set direction, miss deadlines, avoid challenges, or resist feedback.
• I set basic goals, make some progress, and accept feedback when supported.
• I set clear goals, stay focused, take ownership of results, and use feedback to improve.
• I set bold goals, lead progress, push through setbacks, and help others learn from challenges.

07

DR: Driving Results - 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.

08

MS: Managing Stakeholders - How well do you engage and align with key individuals and groups to move work forward?

• I overlook or exclude important stakeholders, delay communication, or mishandle conflict.
• I share limited or outdated information, and my engagement or follow-up may cause misalignment or weaken trust.
• I identify and engage stakeholders based on their role, communicate clearly, resolve issues, and adjust based on feedback.
• I build trust through early, strategic engagement, resolve tensions diplomatically, and strengthen long-term partnerships.

09

MS: Managing Stakeholders - 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.

10

TCr: Thinking Critically - How do you analyze information and draw meaningful conclusions from it?

• I miss key details or oversimplify information, and my conclusions may not be based on evidence.
• I try to analyze information, but I may overlook the relevance or credibility of my sources.
• I analyze key information, consider the evidence, and form logical conclusions based on credible sources.
• I uncover deeper insights by connecting different sources, questioning assumptions, and identifying patterns.

11

TCr: Thinking Critically - 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