Social Service Counselor 1, 2, 3 or 4B (Addiction Counselor)

Social Service Counselor 1, 2, 3 or 4B (Addiction Counselor)

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Shreveport, LA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

222797 NLHSD SSC1-4B SH 062926

Department

LDH- Northwest Louisiana Human Services District

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

About this Job

NLHSD.ORG

The Northwest Louisiana Human Services Districts mission is to increase public awareness of and to provide access for individuals with behavioral health and developmental disabilities to integrated community based services while promoting wellness, recovery, and independence through education and the choice of a broad range of programmatic and community resources.

Our vision is that the Northwest Louisiana Human Services District exists so that individuals with mental health, addictive disorders, and developmental disabilities residing in the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster are empowered, and self-determination is valued such that individuals live a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life.

We are seeking a Social Service Counselor (Addiction Counselor) to provide recovery, relapse ,and prevention-centered and client-focused Specialty Clinic Services. Provides addiction counseling and/or education to a population of adults and adolescents with addictive disorders and/or co-occurring disorders.

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.

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

Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.

Preferred Competencies:

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

Displaying Expertise: The ability to demonstrate specialized knowledge, skills, and experience to apply subject matter expertise in diverse and evolving contexts.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of social services experience; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR

A bachelors 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.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Positions that provide addictive disorder counseling or prevention services will require certification or eligibility for certification issued by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), or its successor.

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:

• Provides addiction counseling to a population of adults with addictive disorders and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Conducts screening interviews for Children/Youth and Adults seeking Access to Care through the clinic.
• Serves as a group leader/facilitator in a peer group made up of persons with addictive disorders in order to educate them on coping with such difficulties.
• Participates in the decision making process of the treatment team including formulating therapeutic activities and recommending a treatment plan.
• Coordinates admissions, discharges, and follow-up services within various programs.
• Serves as liaison between the client, family, and the agency/institution.
• Makes recommendations to the criminal justice system or to employers concerning a clients progress, including occasional court appearances.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional

Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Social Service Counselor 1, 2, 3 or 4B

Work Schedule: Work hours are 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday -Friday and any evening groups assigned.

Location: This position will be with the NW LA Human Services District - Shreveport Behavioral Health Clinic located at 1310 N Hearne Ave, Shreveport, LA.

Compensation: Based on level of qualifications and experience.

The minimum and maximum pay levels for the position is listed below:

• Social Service Counselor 1 -$16.37/hour minimum - $29.50/hour maximum
• Social Service Counselor 2 -$17.52/hour minimum - $31.57/hour maximum
• Social Service Counselor 3 -$20.06/hour minimum - $36.14/hour maximum
• Social Service Counselor 4B -$21.46/hour minimum - $38.67/hour maximum

Note regarding the advertised pay range: The advertised maximum amount listed is the maximum salary a person can make while in this title/level over their career and not the maximum amount we are allowed to pay a new hire.

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). Resumes will 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:

NW LA Human Services District

Human Resources

1310 N Hearne Ave

Shreveport, LA 71107

318-676-5111

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities.

This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.

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 https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veterans 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 (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

01

Have you ever worked for the State of Louisiana? Please make sure work history reflects this experience.

• Yes
• No

02

This position provides addictive disorder counseling services and requires one of the below credentials or licensures. Please select which one you have.

• Counselor in Training (CIT)
• Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC)
• Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC)
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
• None of the above

03

Please provide your Addiction license number, type of license, original issue date, and expiration date. If you answered "none of the above", please type N/A in the space below. *NOTE: Failure to provide ALL information may result in your application being marked incomplete and you will not meet minimum qualifications.

04

How many years of social services experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• At least 1 year but less than 2 years
• At least 2 years but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 4 years
• At least 4 years but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years or more

05

Displaying Expertise - How well do you apply subject-matter expertise to solve problems, share insights, and communicate effectively with others?

• I struggle to explain basic concepts, apply subject-matter knowledge, or share accurate information.
• I apply subject-matter knowledge in typical situations and communicate clearly with some guidance or support.
• I use my subject-matter expertise to solve problems, explain concepts clearly, and tailor communication to different audiences.
• I demonstrate deep subject-matter expertise, explain complex topics with clarity, and provide strategic insights that support broader goals.

06

Displaying Expertise - 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

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.

08

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.

09

Making Accurate Judgments - How do you make decisions when faced with choices, risks, or limited information?

• I make reactive or delayed decisions and sometimes overlook risks, priorities, or potential bias.
• I try to weigh options but struggle when there's uncertainty, competing priorities, or unclear outcomes.
• I make timely, well-reasoned decisions by using available information, context, and trade-offs.
• I make sound decisions in complex situations, lead others through ambiguity, and adapt as new information emerges.

10

Making Accurate Judgments - 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.

Required Question

Employer State of Louisiana

Address 1201 N 3rd St

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70802

Phone (866) 783-5462

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm