PROGRAM CONSULTANT - SOCIAL SERVICES

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is seeking a Program Consultant - Social Services in Baton Rouge to support the TANF program and assist the Program Manager with policy briefs, planning documents, and reporting requirements.

Qualified candidates will meet the minimum experience and education requirements listed in the job posting, perform duties including research, contract coordination, and data review, and represent the agency on local or state committees.

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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provides foundational research and writing support for drafting program plans, policy briefs, program briefs, executive briefs, programmatic reports, legislative talking points, and fiscal impact analysis.
• Independently studies, understands, and masters complex TANF rules and regulations; follows final decisions from leadership.
• Serves as the agency's designated representative on local, state, or federal commissions, panels, or councils when appointed.
• Coordinates internal administrative launch of contracts and agreements; does not handle funding decisions or vendor negotiations.
• Reviews and monitors performance data and invoice documentation submitted by contractors for completeness and accuracy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Administrative experience

Public health knowledge

Social services experience

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree + 3 years experience in admin/public health/social services/health services

Advanced degree in social science/public health/counseling/social work/rehabilitation/business/public/health administration or JD + 2 years experience

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.

Program Consultant - Social Services

This is an advanced level professional, programmatic position for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF is a block grant program which provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families by granting states the federal funds and wide flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating with the Program Manager 2 - Social Services or the Program Manager 3 - Social Services as needed, in supporting the administration of the block grant and other duties as assigned.

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

Minimum 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.

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 Specification

Job Duties

Job Duties and Other Information

• Provides foundational research and writing support for the drafting of program plans, policy briefs, program briefs, executive briefs, programmatic reports, legislative talking points, legislative fiscal impact analysis, legislative reports, performance reports, correspondence, etc.
• Independently studies, understands, and masters complex state and federal TANF rules and regulations. When presenting alternative viewpoints or interpretations, the incumbent accepts and executes the final decision and directives of the executive leader and/or program manager.
• Serves as the agency's designated representative on local, state, and/or federal commissions, panels, or councils when appointed or delegated; represents the department, advocates for program initiatives, and briefs leadership on relevant outcomes or decisions needed.
• Coordinates the internal administrative launch of contracts and agreements by compiling required forms, information, and documentation. Incumbent is not responsible for funding decisions, approving program components, or negotiating with a potential vendor.
• Reviews and monitors performance data and invoice supporting documentation submitted by contractors for completeness and accuracy.
• 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.

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: Baton Rouge, LA - State Office

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:

Mary Murphy

[e-mail]

DCFS is an "Equal Opportunity Employer" and Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer (SAME) for People with Disabilities" 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 Coverage More 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 – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• 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