Social Service Counselor

Office of Juvenile Justice

Lafayette Regional Office

130 Chappuis DR., Lafayette, LA 70501

The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is committed to protecting the public by providing safe and effective individualized services to youth, who will become productive, law‑abiding citizens. We are seeking a compassionate and skilled professional to serve as a Social Service Counselor, providing direct counseling and case management services to youth in secure care. This role supports the emotional, behavioral, and social development of justice‑involved youth through individualized interventions, group facilitation, and collaborative treatment planning.

The ideal candidate demonstrates empathy, clinical insight, and a commitment to trauma‑informed care and rehabilitation.

• Communicating Effectively:
  The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas.
• Driving Results:
  The ability to identify important goals and work to achieve them.
• Making Accurate Judgments:
  The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards.
• Managing Resources:
  The ability to ensure resources such as time, money, and people are utilized appropriately to result in maximum business value.
• Managing Stakeholders:
  The ability to identify and to respond to the sometimes competing perspectives, agendas, and expectations of different parties.
• Managing Time:
  The ability to control your time to increase effectiveness, efficiency, or productivity.
• Thinking Critically:
  The ability to generate ideas, manipulate ideas, and make unconventional connections to develop original approaches.
• Adapting to Change:
  The ability to adjust plans, expectations, and behaviors in response to change.
• Focusing on Customers:
  The ability to serve the needs of those who support and/or rely on the services provided.
• Following Policies and Procedures:
  The ability to comply with policies and procedures of the organization as well as State Civil Service rules, and all applicable federal and state laws.

• 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 toward 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.

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.

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop individualized service plans
• Provide individual and group counseling using evidence‑based approaches
• Collaborate with facility staff, families, and external providers to coordinate care
• Monitor youth progress and adjust interventions to meet evolving needs
• Maintain accurate documentation of services, treatment goals, and case notes
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and contribute to case planning
• Advocate for youth needs and support their transition to community‑based services

• Work Location:
  
  This vacancy is located at the Lafayette Regional Office in Lafayette, Louisiana.
• Appointment Type:
  This position will be filled as a full‑time, probational 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.

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…