Economic Stability Specialist (Professional Development HUB)

Grambling State University; Louisiana (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Health is seeking an Economic Stability Specialist to determine eligibility for Public Assistance programs across the state. The role supports SNAP, ES, and related programs, with special attention to LaCAP and ESAP demonstrations.

The position emphasizes training, policy interpretation, and coordination with SSAs in disaster readiness and mass care planning. Location is statewide, with opportunities across regions.

Qualifications

• Five years of economic stability social services experience.
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus two years of economic stability social services experience.

Responsibilities

• Trains, coaches, and mentors all levels of Social Service Analysts (SSAs) that attend Professional Development Hub-related cycles and trainings.
• Interprets program policies for SSAs to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, program directives, and agency policies and procedures.
• Serves as backup to the supervisor and performs functional supervisory duties such as training and mentoring trainees, being available to assist trainees in the supervisor’s absence, and providing input to the supervisor for completion of progress reports.

Education

Bachelor's degree plus two years of economic stability social services experience

Advanced degree in a social sciences field, business, public, or health administration plus one year of economic stability social services experience

Job description

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Make a real difference in the lives of Louisiana families! In this dynamic role with Economic Stability, Professional Development Hub. This is a professional position responsible for determining eligibility for Public Assistance programs administered statewide within LDH/SNAP/ Economic Stability (ES). The related programmatic functions serve the core mission of the ES office. Benefits are provided to needy citizens in the form of financial and supportive benefits for four different programs, each having separate and complex Federal regulations and State policies. The programs are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP). SNAP has two demonstration projects: Louisiana Combined Application Project (LaCAP) and Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP). These benefits are comprised of Federal funds and are administered with both Federal and State funds. Our Federal partners are USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and DHHS Administration of Children and Families (ACF).

If you’re passionate about public service, leadership, and creating meaningful impact every day, this is your chance to step into a rewarding and purpose-driven career.

Please note: Applicants must clearly describe their experience with specific Economic Stability, Medicaid programs, etc. and/or identify the section or unit in which they performed economic stability social services work (e.g., SNAP/Economic Stability, Child Care Assistance Program, Strategies to Empower People, Family Independence Temp Assistance, Medicare/Medicaid, etc.) within their job duties. Failure to include this information may result in the application being deemed ineligible for further consideration.

Vacancies are available statewide across the following Regions. Each Region includes parishes. Applicants must select the region(s) they are available to work when applying.

• REGION 1: Jefferson, Orleans
• REGION 2: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville
• REGION 3: St. John, Terrebonne
• REGION 4: Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry
• REGION 5: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu
• REGION 6: Avoyelles, Catahoula, Rapides, Vernon, Winn
• REGION 7: Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Webster
• REGION 8: East/West Carroll, Franklin, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Monroe, Union
• REGION 9: Livingston, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington

Qualifications

• Five years of economic stability social services experience;
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus two years of economic stability social services experience;
• A bachelor's degree plus two years of economic stability social services experience;
• An advanced degree in a social sciences field, business, public, or health administration plus one year of economic stability social services experience.

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.

Job Duties

• Trains, coaches, and mentors all levels of Social Service Analysts (SSAs) that attend Professional Development Hub-related cycles and trainings. Trains, develops, and evaluates SSAs by identifying specific problem areas and by initiating and monitoring corrective actions. Provides technical assistance in ES programs and eligibility systems and is available for questions and other issues that SSAs may encounter.
• Interprets program policies for SSAs to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, program directives, and agency policies and procedures. Conducts formal case reviews of SSA cases to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Evaluates programmatic processes and procedures for assigned trainees to determine if the agency objectives are being met and develops corrective action as needed.
• Serves as backup to the supervisor and performs functional supervisory duties such as training and mentoring trainees, being available to assist trainees in the supervisor’s absence, and providing input to the supervisor for completion of progress reports. Works with the supervisor to complete required reports. Reassigns cases to SSAs as needed. Responds to and completes tasks assigned. Represents policy training to ES staff utilizing hands‑on training via TEAMS as needed. Monitors case development as directed by agency policy, previous review findings, and quality control findings.
• Timely completes and actively participates in all department, local office, and mandated trainings, including those trainings for Emergency Support Function –Mass Care Roles, Civil Rights, etc. Participates and contributes to work groups and committees as they relate to the overall operation of the department. Maintains constant readiness to respond during periods of disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, chemical spills, radiation spills, flooding, earthquakes, train derailments, ice storms, terrorist incidents, etc. Performs Emergency Support Function -Mass Care duties as assigned by lead area managers.
• Cooperates and works collaboratively with people in the office, from different divisions, and different departments and performs duties across division and department lines, as may be assigned. Interacts with others respectfully and courteously, is a team player, as well as contributes to overall productivity and achievement of goals. Willingly accepts and performs additional job assignments as deemed necessary. Promotes a positive image of LDH/SNAP and our customers in the community.

Position‑Specific Details

Location: Medical Vendor Administration / Economic Stability / Statewide

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary appointment, Promotional appointment, or Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months)

Position Number(s): Multiple positions

Compensation: The salary range listed for this position reflects the minimum and maximum allowable pay range and is not the anticipated starting salary. New hires will typically be appointed at the Special Entrance Rate (SER) listed below, based on qualifications and experience. Higher salaries may only be considered for applicants with prior State of Louisiana classified service, in accordance with Civil Service pay rules.

This position is eligible for the following Special Entrance Rates (SER), as well as a Premium Pay of up to $2.00/hr for hours worked based on longevity.

Economic Stability Specialist - $22.76 hr / $1,820.80 bi-weekly

Contact Information:

Samantha Johnson

[e-mail]

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.