Child Welfare Consultant (Alexandria Region)

Child Welfare Consultant

DCFS is working to keep children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient, and providing safe refuge during disasters.

We care for the well-being and safety of Louisiana's people.

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.

We are looking for a Child Welfare Consultant to be based out of the Alexandria Regional child welfare department. The location of the position can depend on the domicile of the selected candidate. The Child Welfare Consultant is a senior-level highly specialized position responsible for advanced case management, program coordination, focused training and professional consultant in child welfare service delivery. The incumbent serves as a lead or subject matter specialist and operates with limited managerial oversight and a high degree of professional independence, exercising advanced judgment in complex cases.

Minimum Qualifications

Seven years of experience in child welfare; OR Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus four years of experience in social services, health services, law enforcement, or investigatory work; OR A bachelor's degree plus four years of experience in social services, health services, law enforcement, or investigatory work; OR An advanced degree in a social science or behavioral health field, nursing, or a juris doctorate plus three years of experience in social services, health services, law enforcement, or investigatory work. 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. NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent. A current driver's license and access to a personal vehicle. NOTE: The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15.587.1 (c).

Job Duties and Other Information

Job Duties:

• Manage a specialized caseload of complex, high risk and sensitive cases
• Serve as designated lead by providing advanced consultation, technical expertise and decision-making support
• Integrate knowledge across multiple program areas to ensure continuity of care and compliance with legal mandates
• Provide expert testimony in court and serve as liaison with legal, medical, and community stakeholders
• Assist in implementing program improvements and operational strategies
• Provide mentoring, coaching and training to new and developing staff
• Conduct case reviews, audits and evaluations to ensure compliance
• Analyze data to identify risks, trends and opportunities

Position-Specific Details: Appointment Type: 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 8:00 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.

Work Location: Alexandria Region

* In accordance with La. R.S. 46:51.2 the department shall conduct a State Central Registry (SCR) check for a potential employee of the department to determine whether or not said individual's name appears on a SCR subsequent to December 31, 2009, and whose duties include: investigations of child abuse or neglect, supervisory or disciplinary authority over children, direct care to a child, or performance of licensing surveys.

* In accordance with state laws, selected candidates must pass the following checks before any final job offer will be made: Drug Test, Criminal Background, State Central Registry, and Louisiana State Police Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry.

NOTE: The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15.587.1 (c).

Must possess a valid driver's license & access to a personal vehicle.

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 this application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Contact Information:

Laura Milstead

View email address on click.appcast.io S.La.Gov

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.