Program Manager 1A-LDH (LA Bridge Program Director)

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance coverage

Parental leave

Holidays and leave

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Health seeks a Statewide Louisiana Bridge Manager to lead expansion of an evidence-based program connecting individuals with substance use disorders to treatment and recovery services.

You will train hospital teams, monitor progress, and collaborate with LDH/OBH leadership and healthcare partners to drive statewide system changes and funding initiatives.

Qualifications

• Seven years of experience developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs.
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus four years in health/public health program work.
• Bachelor’s degree plus four years in relevant program development.
• An advanced degree or JD plus three years in relevant program development.

Responsibilities

• Assess hospital readiness for Louisiana Bridge Program implementation and engage hospitals based on interest and capacity.
• Provide training, technical assistance, and ongoing support to hospital teams implementing the Bridge model.
• Serve as contract monitor for statewide implementation agreements and identify sustainable funding opportunities.
• Develop and deliver standardized training and technical assistance, including on-site consultations.
• Collaborate with hospital-based navigators and ED staff to expand access to MAT and post-discharge follow-up.
• Lead strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and communication with LDH/OBH leadership and legislative bodies.
• Build and coordinate multidisciplinary TA teams and partner with hospital executives to expand treatment access.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree or JD

Job description

About This Job

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 in the fight against the opioid overdose crisis across Louisiana. The Statewide Louisiana Bridge Manager will lead the expansion of an innovative, evidence-based program that connects individuals with substance use disorders to lifesaving treatment and recovery services. This highly visible role offers the opportunity to collaborate with hospitals, healthcare providers, and state partners, provide statewide training and technical assistance, and help shape policies and strategies that improve health outcomes for communities throughout Louisiana. If you are passionate about public health, program development, and driving system-wide change, we encourage you to apply and be part of this transformative initiative.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with experience working with hospital systems, community based treatment settings, and/or collaborative approaches to developing coordinated services are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

Seven years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative services; OR

Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus four years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative services; OR

A bachelor’s degree plus four years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative services; OR

An advanced degree or a Juris Doctorate plus three years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative 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

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

Job Duties

• Assess hospital readiness for implementation of the Louisiana Bridge Program and engage hospitals based on interest and capacity.
• Provide training, technical assistance, and ongoing support to hospital teams implementing the Louisiana Bridge model, while monitoring and evaluating program progress.
• Serve as contract monitor for statewide implementation agreements and collaborate with LDH/OBH leadership to identify sustainable funding opportunities.
• Develop and deliver standardized training and technical assistance packages, including on-site consultations and educational sessions focused on key Bridge Program pillars.
• Collaborate with hospital-based substance use navigators and emergency department staff to expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), discharge planning, and post-discharge follow-up services.
• Lead strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and communication efforts, providing regular updates to LDH and OBH leadership while representing the program in legislative, task force, and healthcare partner meetings.
• Build and coordinate multidisciplinary technical assistance teams and partner with hospital executives and healthcare leaders statewide to expand access to treatment, harm reduction services, and evidence-based overdose prevention strategies.

Position-Specific Details

Location: Office of Behavioral Health / Headquarters – Medical Director / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary appointment, Promotional appointment, Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months), or Detail to Special Duty for LDH employees.

Position Number(s): 50696106

Cost Center: 3301010102

Contact Information

Casey Hickman

[e-mail]

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818 Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-4287

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.

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

• 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

• 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