CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST TRAINEE

State of Louisiana; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services seeks a Child Welfare Specialist Trainee to support youth aging out of care. The role focuses on individualized skill development, housing support, education continuation, independent living, and employment readiness within Lafayette Parish.

On-call weekends and flexible hours may apply as needed. Authorized appointment may be probational or temporary up to 48 months, with potential promotion from Trainee to Specialist levels.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in child welfare; OR six years of full-time work experience in any field; OR a bachelor’s degree.
• Experience substitution: every 30 semester hours earned from college substitutes for one year of experience; max 120 semester hours.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent; valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provides individual services to young adults in or exiting foster care to assist transition to adulthood.
• Conducts ongoing assessment and develops service plans with monthly updates; documents contracts timely.
• Prepares information for courts and administrative reviews; provides testimony as needed; makes recommendations.
• Attends and participates in formal trainings related to youth/young adults.

Skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree

High school diploma

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.

At 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 Specialist Trainee, 1-3

The incumbent of this position is responsible for providing services to address the needs of young people ages 17-21 who are transitioning out of care and need individualized skill development and support to transition successfully into adulthood, specifically obtaining and maintaining safe and suitable housing, continuing their education, learning independent living skills, obtaining and maintaining employment, building a support system, obtaining permanency, and remaining free from legal involvement. The selected applicant may be required to be part of an on-call rotation on weekends and available to work flexible hours.

Three years of experience in child welfare; OR

Six years of full-time work 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 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).

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

Job Duties

• The YVLifeSet specialist provides individual services to young adults in or exiting foster care in the home and community setting to assist the young adult with transition to adulthood, meeting a minimum of one time per week, most often face to face, and provide additional support via phone, text or in person as needed.
• Conducts ongoing assessment of the young person's needs and develops service plans annually with monthly updates, and documents all service contracts with the young adult within the timelines required by the organization.
• Prepares information in written reports to courts and administrative review panels, provides professional testimony during review hearings regarding compliance/progress/status of family members, and makes appropriate recommendations to court personnel regarding the agency's goal for foster children.
• Attends and participates in formalized training programs and seminars relative to youth/young adults.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: 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.

Career Progression: This vacancy may be filled as a Child Welfare Specialist Trainee, 1, 2 or 3 depending on experience.

Compensation: The referenced positions have a Special Entrance Rate (SER) see below:

Child Welfare Specialist Trainee - SER: $1,649.60 bi-weekly

Child Welfare Specialist 1 - SER: $1,764.80 bi-weekly

Child Welfare Specialist 2 - SER: $1,820.80 bi-weekly

Child Welfare Specialist 3 - SER: $1,948.00 bi-weekly

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: Lafayette Parish

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

Must possess a valid driver's license & access to a personal vehicle before appointment.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Eulanda Batiste

[e-mail]

DCFS is an "Equal Opportunity Employer" and Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities"