Child Welfare Specialist Trainee 1-3 (Child Safety Response Center)

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

Job summary

The Department of Children and Family Services in Louisiana seeks a Child Welfare Specialist Trainee to support intake screening, information gathering, and referrals to protect children and strengthen families. This entry-level role is based in the Baton Rouge state office.

Join the 24/7 Child Safety Response Center, where training, shift options, and a clear path from Trainee to Specialist exist based on experience, performance, and agency needs.

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 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.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• A current driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.
• The incumbent must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15.587.1 (c).
• Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.

Responsibilities

• Receive and screen intake reports via phone, mail, fax, or email.
• Gather sufficient information needed to make an appropriate and sound decision at intake.
• Complete the required forms, conducts thorough search via agency data systems and inputs reported information into data systems.
• Provide quality customer service through the use of listening skills, interviewing skills and through the provision of information relative to community resources.
• Attends and participates in formalized training programs and seminars relative to child abuse/neglect and investigative techniques.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Department MISSION

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

About This Job

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 Child Safety Response Center (CSRC) serves as the first point of contact for individuals reporting concerns of child abuse, neglect, or other child welfare issues. Operating as a 911-style call center for child abuse and neglect, the CSRC receives and assesses reports through phone calls, electronic submissions, and other communication channels.

Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) gather critical information, assess the nature and urgency of each situation, and ensure the appropriate personnel and resources are notified in a timely and accurate manner. This role is essential to supporting the safety and well-being of children through prompt, thorough screening, assessment, and referral. The position requires strong communication, sound decision-making, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.

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

Minimum 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 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

• Receive and screen intake reports via phone, mail, fax, or email.
• Gather sufficient information needed to make an appropriate and sound decision at intake.
• Complete the required forms, conducts thorough search via agency data systems and inputs reported information into data systems.
• Provide quality customer service through the use of listening skills, interviewing skills and through the provision of information relative to community resources.
• Attends and participates in formalized training programs and seminars relative to child abuse/neglect and investigative techniques.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

• Child Welfare Specialist Trainee - SER: $1,649.60bi-weekly
• Child Welfare Specialist 1 - SER: $1,764.80bi-weekly
• Child Welfare Specialist 2 - SER: $1,820.80 bi-weekly
• Child Welfare Specialist 3 - SER: $1,948.00 bi-weekly

Work Schedule

The Child Safety Response Center is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Therefore multiple 8-hour shift schedules are available, including rotating weekends and holidays. Shift preferences may become available after meeting specific criteria.

Work Location

Baton Rouge, La- State Office

Important Note

This posting is used to establish a list of qualified applicants for current or future job openings. A current vacancy may or may not exist at the time of application. As a result, your application may remain in 'Application Received' or a similar status for an extended period. The hiring agency may review the list when a vacancy becomes available and contact applicants they wish to consider at that time.

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

Contact Information

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Wendy Barber

[e-mail]

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 CoverageMore 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

• 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