Child Welfare Consultant (CQI)

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Coverage

Parental Leave

Holidays and Leave

Job summary

State of Louisiana's DCFS is seeking a Child Welfare Consultant for CQI to assess practice quality and promote continuous learning, improvement, and accountability to ensure safety and well‑being of children and families.

The role requires thorough knowledge of child welfare policy, federal/state mandates, and CQI processes, with responsibility for reviewing cases, data entry, and agency training participation.

Qualifications

• Seven years of experience in child welfare or equivalent mix per substitutions.
• Bachelor's degree plus four years in social services, health services, law enforcement, or investigatory work.
• Advanced degree in a social science or behavioral health field, nursing, or a juris doctorate with related experience.

Responsibilities

• Assists in reviewing child welfare case documentation for adherence to policy, procedural requirements, and compliance standards.
• Conducts basic file review to verify timeliness, accuracy of documentation, and required case contacts.
• Reviews cases objectively and ensures accuracy, clarity and consistency in the review process and in the interpretation of findings.
• Records review observations clearly, objectively, and in accordance with CQI protocols and guidelines.
• Demonstrates proficiency in interpreting and applying the case review instrument and maintains thorough knowledge of all child welfare programs evaluated through the review process.
• Assists in collecting and entering case review findings into established data systems with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Participates in agency training, continuing education, seminars, conferences, and workshops to maintain and enhance professional knowledge.

Education

Bachelor's degree + 4 years experience in relevant fields

Advanced degree in social sciences/behavioral health or JD with related experience

Job description

Department MISSION

To protect children, empower families, and strengthen communities so every child grows up safe, stable, and strong.

Department VISION

A future where every child thrives in a loving environment, supported by empowered families and resilient communities.

Department VALUES

Treating all people with dignity, compassion and respect, while providing services with integrity.
The Department of Children and Family Services, our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

Join Our Team at DCFS: Child Welfare Consultant - CQI

This position within the Office of Child Welfare systematically assesses practice quality and promotes continuous learning, improvement, and accountability to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families. The complexity of the work requires thorough knowledge of child welfare policy, best practice standards, federal and state mandates, and continuous quality improvement processes.

If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact—this could be the opportunity for you!

Minimum Qualifications

• Seven years of experience in child welfare; OR
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus four years of experience in social services, health services, law enforcement, or investigatory work; OR
• A bachelor’s degree plus four years of experience in social services, health services, law enforcement, or investigatory work; OR
• An advanced degree in a social science or behavioral health field, nursing, or a juris doctorate plus three years of experience in social services, health services, law enforcement, or investigatory work.

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

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• A current driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.

Note

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).

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Assists in reviewing child welfare case documentation for adherence to policy, procedural requirements, and compliance standards.
• Conducts basic file review to verify timeliness, accuracy of documentation, and required case contacts.
• Reviews cases objectively and ensures accuracy, clarity and consistency in the review process and in the interpretation of findings.
• Records review observations clearly, objectively, and in accordance with CQI protocols and guidelines.
• Demonstrates proficiency in interpreting and applying the case review instrument and maintains thorough knowledge of all child welfare programs evaluated through the review process.
• Assists in collecting and entering case review findings into established data systems with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Participates in agency training, continuing education, seminars, conferences, and workshops to maintain and enhance professional knowledge.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment. This position may be filled as a probational appointment or a job appointment that may last up to 48 months. Job appointments may convert to probational appointments. Also, it may be filled as a detail and promoted within 12 months or by promotion of a permanent classified employee.

Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Flexible work schedules are available after meeting certain criteria and is dependent upon the position you are applying for. Some positions require working shifts.

Work Location: Placement will be determined by parish availability and your location preferences.

Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.

Contact Information

Heriot Thorpe

[e-mail]

DCFS is an "Equal Opportunity Employer," and 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.

Insurance Coverage

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

Parental Leave

Up to six weeks paid parental leave

Holidays and Leave

State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's 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
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others