Program Consultant-Social Services

LDH-Office of Secretary; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Health in Baton Rouge seeks a senior regional program leader to advance maternal and child health initiatives across Louisiana. You will partner with hospitals, rural systems, and public health programs to improve access, performance, and service integration using data-driven decision making.

This role requires strategic thinking, cross‑agency collaboration, and the ability to guide complex projects from planning through implementation, ensuring measurable

Qualifications

• Six years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus three years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• A bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• An advanced degree in a social science field, public health, counseling, social work, rehabilitation services, business, public, or health administration, or Juris Doctorate plus two years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services.

Responsibilities

• Collects, analyzes, and interprets regional data to evaluate program outcomes, identify service gaps, monitor performance, and inform strategic planning and recommendations.
• Leads the implementation, coordination, and oversight of maternal and child health initiatives across an assigned geographic region in collaboration with Regional Medical Directors.
• Serves as a liaison to rural health systems and community-based hospitals to identify service and access gaps, strengthen referral pathways, and improve regional healthcare coverage.
• Provides technical assistance and programmatic guidance to birthing hospitals, healthcare providers, behavioral health units, and substance abuse clinics to support compliance, quality improvement, and effective service delivery.
• Develops and delivers training and educational resources for hospitals, providers, and clinical teams on program requirements, best practices, data reporting, and service integration.
• Monitors regional program activities for compliance with federal and state regulations, departmental policies, and program standards; identifies risks and coordinates corrective actions.
• Collaborates across maternal and child health programs, including WIC, to improve coordination, reduce service fragmentation, increase WIC participation, and identify opportunities for innovative service delivery.

Skills

Data analysis

Public health

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

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.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

Make a meaningful impact on maternal and child health across Louisiana! This position leads regional initiatives that strengthen healthcare access, improve program performance, and address service gaps affecting mothers, children, and families. From partnering with hospitals and rural health systems to using data to drive decisions, coordinate innovative initiatives, and improve services, you’ll play a key role in advancing healthier communities and expanding access to quality care. Bring your expertise, leadership, and passion for public health to a role where your work can make a difference across an entire region!

Eligibility and Experience

• Six years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus three years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• A bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• An advanced degree in a social science field, public health, counseling, social work, rehabilitation services, business, public, or health administration, or Juris Doctorate plus two years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services.
• 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.

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

Job Duties

• Collects, analyzes, and interprets regional data to evaluate program outcomes, identify service gaps, monitor performance, and inform strategic planning and recommendations.
• Leads the implementation, coordination, and oversight of maternal and child health initiatives across an assigned geographic region in collaboration with Regional Medical Directors.
• Serves as a liaison to rural health systems and community-based hospitals to identify service and access gaps, strengthen referral pathways, and improve regional healthcare coverage.
• Provides technical assistance and programmatic guidance to birthing hospitals, healthcare providers, behavioral health units, and substance abuse clinics to support compliance, quality improvement, and effective service delivery.
• Develops and delivers training and educational resources for hospitals, providers, and clinical teams on program requirements, best practices, data reporting, and service integration.
• Monitors regional program activities for compliance with federal and state regulations, departmental policies, and program standards; identifies risks and coordinates corrective actions.
• Collaborates across maternal and child health programs, including WIC, to improve coordination, reduce service fragmentation, increase WIC participation, and identify opportunities for innovative service delivery.

Position-Specific Details

Location: Office of the Secretary / Deputy Secretary / East Baton Rouge Parish

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

Cost Center: 3071090102

Position Number(s): 50698231

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.