PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR 1, 2, 3, OR 4

Nunez Community College; Angola (LA); On-site; USD 68,081,000 - 77,884,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Leave rollover

Deferred compensation

Flexible benefits

4/10s schedule

Job summary

Louisiana State Penitentiary seeks a professional counselor to support mental health needs of inmates in a high-security setting. You will conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and coordinate care with medical, security, and administrative staff to ensure continuity and safety.

The role requires strong clinical judgment and teamwork within a collaborative, 24-hour facility environment. SER pay per hour is provided, with opportunities for advancement across counselor levels.

Qualifications

• Current Louisiana license to practice as a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) or a Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT).
• Professional counseling credentials required to work with inmate populations.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced professional social work duties involving assessment, evaluation, and treatment of inmates with mental health needs.
• Provide case management, mental health assessments, and develop treatment plans.
• Coordinate services with medical, security, and administrative staff to ensure appropriate care and policy compliance.

Skills

Case management

Mental health assessments

Treatment plans

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PLPC license

PLMFT license

Job description

Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections - Corrections Services

https://doc.la.gov/

LOUISIANA STATE PENITENTIARY

Angola, LA

At the Louisiana Department of Corrections, our mission is to promote public safety and strengthen communities through fair, professional, and responsive corrections services. We are committed to protecting the people of Louisiana with integrity, accountability, and a deep respect for the rights and dignity of all.

This is an opportunity to become part of a dedicated team supporting public safety, working in a correctional facility where professionalism, resilience, and teamwork are essential.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary is currently seeking a motivated and compassionate professional to serve as a Professional Counselor 1, 2, or 3, or 4- Mental Health, an important position dedicated to supporting the mental health needs of individuals housed within the facility. This role plays a critical part in promoting stability, rehabilitation, and overall well-being within the correctional environment.

As Louisiana's largest correctional institution, Louisiana State Penitentiary depends on skilled professionals who are committed to providing quality services while working in a challenging and secure environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong clinical judgment, professionalism, and the ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support both institutional safety and the mental health needs of the inmate population.

In this role, the incumbent will perform advanced professional social work duties involving the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of inmates with mental health needing. Responsibilities include providing case management, conducting mental health assessments, developing treatment plans, and coordinating services with medical, security, and administrative staff to ensure appropriate care and compliance with departmental policies and standards. The Professional Counselor 1, 2, 3, or 4 will also contribute to maintaining a safe, structured, and rehabilitative environment within the institution.

Why work for DOC?

• Culture: DOC values and supports employees through numerous recognition programs, creating a sense of community, prioritizing internal promotional opportunities, clear communication, and professional development.


• Growth: Professional growth is encouraged at DOC through numerous avenues.


• Benefits: DOC offers a generous benefits package including; a defined benefit pension plan, health insurance that is also available post retirement, at least 10 paid holidays, sick and annual leave that rolls over from year to year, paid or time off accrued for hours worked over 40 per week, a deferred compensation plan, a flexible benefits plan, alternate work schedules etc. Alternative work schedules including 4/10's MAY be an available benefit for certain positions upon meeting the policy requirements.

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice as a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) or a Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT).

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

Job Duties:

• A portion of these inmates suffer from mental disorders ranging from minor adjustment problems to major mental health disorders including addiction disorders. Management of suicidal inmates requires that the incumbent possess the knowledge, skill, attitude, and ability to recognize the symptoms of potentially suicidal individuals and follow proper procedures to ensure their safety.


• Supervises and provides the implementation and coordination of counseling services at LSP. This includes assessments and treatment referrals of all inmates in LSP abuse programs. These professional capabilities of the counselling services are defined by the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners in Rule (LAC 46:LX.503.o).


• Supervise and implement the following duties including treatment plans, case management, treatment progress evaluations, counselling services based on inmates' individual needs, and providing evidence-based curriculum programs approved by supervisors of LSP program.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work with adult male inmates of all custody levels - minimum, medium, maximum (death row) and protective custody.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: PROBATION, or PROMOTION OF A PERMANENT, CLASSIFIED LOUISIANA STATE EMPLOYEE

• Current permanent status classified LA State employees may be required to accept a probational appointment if accepted.


• An employee selected for a promotion may be required to serve a trial detail prior to being permanently promoted.


• This posting may also be used to fill a vacancy as a temporary job appointment. If filled as a temporary job appointment, should a permanent position become available, the employee may be converted to a probational appointment.

Compensation:

This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER) at each level. However, the salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

• Professional Counselor 1 has an SER of $ 23.75 per hour


• Professional Counselor 2 has an SER of $ 25.42 per hour


• Professional Counselor 3 has an SER of $ 27.20 per hour

Career Progression Group

• Filled at the highest level of experience of the selected applicant.


• Salary depends on level of experience.

Other Important Information

• IMPORTANT: In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of DPS&C-Corrections Services to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), to be considered for employment, by answering 'YES' to the PREA question.


• Any degree, certificate, special license, or DD-214 must be verified by official documentation prior to hire.


• Any qualifying experience that is based on college credit/college hours should have an accompanying transcript for verification.
  
  
  
  • This is a 24-hour facility.
  
  
  • This Agency is a Drug Free Workplace.
  
  
  
  

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections - Corrections Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any non-merit factor including disability.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Chassity Rheams

Human Resources Department

[e-mail]

Ph: [phone]

Fax: [phone]