Social Services Analyst 1-3

State of Louisiana; DeRidder (LA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) seeks a Social Services Analyst to determine eligibility for vital public assistance programs statewide and to support families in need. You will conduct initial assessments, apply complex regulations, and ensure accurate ongoing benefits for SNAP, FITAP, LaCAP, and related programs.

You will document case activity using CAFÉ, LITE, FileNet, and Word/Excel while upholding cultural sensitivity and policy compliance.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in social services; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
• A bachelor's degree.
• Experience substitution: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience toward six years of full-time work experience; maximum substitution 120 semester hours.

Responsibilities

• Determines initial and ongoing eligibility for SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, ESAP, and LaCAP based on federal regulations and state policies.
• Conducts initial Family Assessments to identify customer needs, determine appropriate program participation, and make referrals to support self-sufficiency.
• Ensures customers understand program policies, expectations, and benefits, providing guidance to help families meet responsibilities and achieve stability.
• Completes casework accurately and timely, maintaining ongoing benefits through processing redeterminations, semi-annual reporting reviews, and other case activities.
• Maintains knowledge and uses computer systems and software including Word, Excel, internet navigation, CAFÉ, LITE, and FileNet to document case activity and research cases as needed.
• Displays respect and cultural sensitivity toward customers, applying processes consistently without bias or preconceived notions.
• Participates in department, local office, and mandated trainings, including Emergency Support Function – Mass Care roles, Civil Rights, and other required programs.
• Contributes to work groups and committees to support departmental operations and program effectiveness.
• Maintains readiness to respond during disasters and emergency events, performing assigned ESF-Mass Care duties as needed.
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues across divisions and departments, willingly accepting additional assignments and promoting a positive image of DCFS and its customers in the community.

Skills

Accepting Direction

Communicating Effectively

Demonstrating Accountability

Following Policies and Procedures

Ethics and Integrity

Professionalism

Learning Actively

Disaster Readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Word

Excel

CAFÉ

LITE

FileNet

Internet navigation

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 difference in the lives of Louisiana families as a key member of the Division of Family Support's Economic Stability team. In this professional role, you will determine eligibility for vital Public Assistance programs statewide, helping provide financial and supportive benefits to those in need. You will work with multiple programs, including SNAP, FITAP, Kinship Care Subsidy, and DSNAP, each governed by complex federal and state regulations. This position also involves specialized SNAP projects like the Louisiana Combined Application Project (LaCAP) and the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP). By ensuring accurate and efficient benefits administration in partnership with federal agencies like USDA Food and Nutrition Services and DHHS Administration for Children and Families, you will play a crucial role in supporting the well-being and stability of Louisiana communities.

An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:

• Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.
• Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
• Acting with Ethics and Integrity: The ability to make choices that reflect ethical standards, integrity and honesty, regardless of circumstances or personal benefit.
• Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
• Learning Actively: The ability to pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance.
• Three years of experience in social services; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
• A bachelor's degree.
• 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:

• Determines initial and ongoing eligibility for SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, ESAP, and LaCAP based on federal regulations and state policies, interpreting and applying complex rules accurately.
• Conducts initial Family Assessments to identify customer needs, determine appropriate program participation, and make referrals to support self-sufficiency.
• Ensures customers understand program policies, expectations, and benefits, providing guidance to help families meet responsibilities and achieve stability.
• Completes casework accurately and timely, maintaining ongoing benefits through processing redeterminations, semi-annual reporting reviews, and other case activities.
• Maintains knowledge and uses computer systems and software including Word, Excel, internet navigation, CAFÉ, LITE, and FileNet to document case activity and research cases as needed.
• Displays respect and cultural sensitivity toward customers, applying processes consistently without bias or preconceived notions.
• Participates in department, local office, and mandated trainings, including Emergency Support Function – Mass Care roles, Civil Rights, and other required programs.
• Contributes to work groups and committees to support departmental operations and program effectiveness.
• Maintains readiness to respond during disasters and emergency events, performing assigned ESF-Mass Care duties as needed.
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues across divisions and departments, willingly accepting additional assignments and promoting a positive image of DCFS and its customers in the community.

Position-Specific Details:

• Location: Medical Vendor Administration / Economic Stability Region 5 / Beauregard 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
• Cost Center: 3052130204
• Position Number(s): 50688200, 50688339, 50689845
• Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Social Services Analyst 1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.
• Compensation:
  • Social Services Analyst 1 - $16.42 hr / $1,313.60 bi-weekly
  • Social Services Analyst 2 - $17.56 hr / $1,404.80 bi-weekly
  • Social Services Analyst 3 - $21.27 hr / $1,701.60 bi-weekly

Contact Information:

Samantha Johnson

[e-mail]

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477

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.