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

DCFS-Department of Children and Family Services in Baton Rouge, LA seeks a Program Specialist-Social Services to support statewide programs, contracts, and activities for community-based prevention, preservation, protection, and permanency services. Strong analytical and organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications include 5+ years in administrative/public health/social services or a bachelor’s plus 2 years, with a substitution option for college hours.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development, solicitation, and negotiation of statewide contracts for assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Manages contracts for assigned program(s) and/or activities statewide to ensure that all programmatic and administrative policies and procedures are implemented.
• Prepares guidance materials, procedural updates, and resource documents for assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Provides technical assistance to regional offices, contractors, and external stakeholders regarding assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Utilizes compliance tools, monitoring instruments, and tracking systems to collect and organize data for assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Reviews invoices and supporting records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Maintains accurate financial records and tracking systems related to provider payments and supports audit readiness by ensuring documentation is complete and consistent with policy and fiscal requirements.
• The incumbent performs other duties as assigned by the Child Welfare Manager 1, Child Welfare Manager 2, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare, Undersecretary, Deputy Secretary, and/or Secretary

Skills

Administrative Services

Public Health

Social Services

Health Services

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree in social science/public health/counseling/social work/rehabilitation/business/public/health administration/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 is within the Child Welfare section and is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and monitoring of statewide programs, contracts, and activities related to community-based prevention, preservation, protection, and permanency services. Applicant with a foundational knowledge of statewide Child Welfare programs, basic understanding of funding requirements and regulations, and strong analytical and organizational skills to support statewide program development and improvement are encouraged to apply.

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

• Supports the development, solicitation, and negotiation of statewide contracts for assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Manages contracts for assigned program(s) and/or activities statewide to ensure that all programmatic and administrative policies and procedures are implemented.
• Prepares guidance materials, procedural updates, and resource documents for assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Provides technical assistance to regional offices, contractors, and external stakeholders regarding assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Utilizes compliance tools, monitoring instruments, and tracking systems to collect and organize data for assigned program(s) and/or activities.
• Reviews invoices and supporting records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Maintains accurate financial records and tracking systems related to provider payments and supports audit readiness by ensuring documentation is complete and consistent with policy and fiscal requirements.
• The incumbent performs other duties as assigned by the Child Welfare Manager 1, Child Welfare Manager 2, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare, Undersecretary, Deputy Secretary, and/or Secretary

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.

Work Schedule: Typically, work hours are 8:0 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

Louisiana HB 420 requires all prospective DCFS employees to complete and clear multiple background clearances prior to employment with this agency.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

[e-mail]

DCFS is an “Equal Opportunity Employer”, and Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.