Professional Counselor 4 (WAE)

Salary : $3,980.00 - $7,173.00 Monthly
Location : Jackson, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: ELMHS6.9.26PC
Department: LDH-Office of Behavioral Health
Opening Date: 06/09/2026
Closing Date: 6/14/2026 11:59 PM Central


About this Job
The Mission of ELMHS is to provide mental health evaluation, treatment, habilitation, and consultation for adults. Programs include inpatient interventions, jail-based evaluations, supervised group home and residential programs, forensic evaluation, care, custody, and aftercare; intermediate and long-term psychiatric care are coordinated with the total system of care in Louisiana.

ELMHS is looking for a motivated, detail-oriented individual to come and join ELMHS as a part of the Social Services Department as a Professional Counselor! In this role, the selected candidate will provide specialized counseling services to adult civil and forensic populations, supporting rehabilitation and recovery through an interdisciplinary treatment approach.

An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:

Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.

Focusing on Customers: The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.

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.

Fostering Engagement: The ability to build a supportive environment that encourages motivation, belonging, and active participation.

Minimum Qualifications


Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) plus two years of licensed counseling experience.

Job Specification


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

Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:


In this role, you will:

• Serve early, middle and late adult population. This position treats both civil and forensic populations. Provides specialized counseling component in an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary team approach to planning and treatment.
• Serve as group leader/facilitator in peer groups made up of person with sexual disorders/trauma in order to educate them on coping with such difficulties. Conducts individual and group counseling for sexual offenders and victims with general supervision.
• Develop a working knowledge of correctional or community resources in order to recommend or refer offenders for specialized services.
• Act as a liaison between the inpatient staff, Program Director, and contract staff regarding patient progress, clinical concerns or general questions. Attends and participates in community health related programs, in-services, continuing education and maintains professional reading.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: WAE (a part-time appointment; not to exceed 1,245 hours in a 12-month period)

Division : Within the Social Services Department at ELMHS, Located in Jackson, LA

How To Apply:

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


To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.


* Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).Resumeswill not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Leigh Moore


ELMHS HR

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Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) 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


Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at


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 (). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (), among others

01


FC: Focusing on Customers - How well do you understand and meet the needs of internal or external customers?

• I struggle to understand customer needs, provide clear information, or resolve issues.
• I respond to customer needs with some support and build basic working relationships.
• I understand customer needs, communicate clearly, and deliver timely, reliable service.
• I anticipate customer needs, build trust, and deliver personalized, proactive service.

02


FC: Focusing on Customers - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
03


FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - How well do you apply rules, policies, and procedures in your work?

• I struggle to follow rules or apply policies correctly, which can lead to confusion or mistakes.
• I follow rules with support and help correct issues, but I sometimes apply policies inconsistently.
• I apply and explain policies accurately, adapt to routine situations, and help improve procedures.
• I guide others in applying policies, prevent compliance issues, and improve procedures based on experience.

04


FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
05


FE: Fostering Engagement - How well do you build relationships, motivate others, and help people stay connected and involved?

• I struggle to connect with others, adjust my messaging, or respond to feedback in ways that build engagement.
• I build basic rapport and try to motivate others, but I sometimes make missteps or respond to feedback inconsistently.
• I build strong relationships, adapt how I communicate to motivate others, and use feedback to stay engaged.
• I foster a culture of connection, adapt under pressure, and motivate others through trust and insight.

06


FE: Fostering Engagement - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
07


Please select the licensure you currently possess.

• Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
• Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
• Licensed Professional Counselor by the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners
• None of the Above

08


Please list the type of license or credential, license number and expiration date below.
Required Question