PROGRAM SPECIALIST - SOCIAL SERVICES

DCFS-Department of Children and Family Services; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Children and Family Services in Baton Rouge, LA seeks a Program Specialist - Social Services to manage State Central Registry processes and determine caregiver eligibility. The role includes analyzing history clearances, interpreting results, and ensuring statewide compliance.

You will provide guidance to regional offices and collaborate with legal staff, executives, and external partners. Experience in admin/public health is required; a degree option may substitute for experience.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services.
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus two years in admin/public health/social services/health.
• A bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience in admin/public health/social services/health.
• An advanced degree in a social science, public health, counseling, social work, or related field plus one year in admin/public health/social services/health.

Responsibilities

• State Central Registry administration, analysis, and program oversight.
• Provides technical consultation to regional offices, program staff, leadership, legal staff, and external stakeholders.
• Assists in developing training, manuals, and reference materials for statewide consistency.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the department's smooth operation.

Skills

Experience in admin surv

Public health

Administrative work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree/JD

Job description

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.

Join Our Team at DCFS: Program Specialist - Social Services

This position within the Office of Child Welfare is responsible for conducting agency history clearances and interpreting the results for the purpose of determining eligibility to be a foster, relative, and/or fictive kin caregiver, adoptive parent, and certain employment and volunteer positions.

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

• Five years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus two years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; OR
• A bachelor’s degree plus two 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 one year 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

• State Central Registry administration, analysis, and program oversight.
• Provides technical consultation and guidance to regional offices, program staff, executive leadership, legal staff, and external stakeholders regarding State Central Registry operations.
• Assists in developing training, technical guidance, operational manuals, and reference materials to support statewide consistency.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the smooth operation of the Department.

Position-Specific Details

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment. 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.

Works 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.

Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana HB420 requires that all prospective DCFS employees complete and clear multiple background checks prior to employment with the agency.

No Civil Service Test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Contact Information

Lashonda Kelly

Administrative Assistant 5, Child Welfare

[e-mail]