SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 3

SOCIAL SERVICE COUNSELOR 3

Salary

$3,477.00 - $6,264.00 Monthly

Location

New Orleans, LA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

MHSD0-222139-TA

Department

Metropolitan Human Services District

Opening Date

06/11/2026

Closing Date

6/16/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

About this Job

One of ten districts across Louisiana, MHSD was created by the state legislature in 2003 to oversee the delivery of publicly funded, community-based mental health, addictive disorders and developmental disabilities services to our area. MHSD serves adults, children and families of Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes. In particular, we serve residents who are uninsured, or Medicaid eligible/covered, individuals suffering from mental illness, individuals suffering from addiction, and individuals who have developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Social Service Counselor 3 (Peer Specialist) to support individuals with behavioral health and/or addiction disorders within our Advocacy Division. This role focuses on providing peer support, care coordination, and connecting clients to essential community-based resources to improve overall outcomes.

Come join our dynamic team, where we change lives!

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

• Driving Results: The ability to set and pursue goals, maintain focus amid competing demands, and deliver results.
• Focusing on Customers: The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.
• Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well supported conclusions.
• Driving Vision and Purpose: The ability to create and communicate a compelling direction that motivates others and aligns with long-term goals.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote

understanding and engagement.

Minimum Qualifications

Five years of social services experience; OR

Six years of full-time experience in any field plus two years of social services experience; OR

A bachelors degree plus two years of social services experience; OR

An advanced degree in a social sciences field plus one year of social services experience.

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:

Some key responsibilities as a Social Service Counselor 3 are :

• Coordinate care and provide support services for individuals with behavioral health and/or addiction disorders.
• Assist clients in accessing appropriate community-based resources and referrals within established service parameters.
• Collaborate with agency staff, clients, behavioral health professionals, and community partners to ensure comprehensive service delivery.
• Research and identify the most suitable resources based on the specific needs of each client.
• Deliver identified resources and referrals directly to persons served.
• Oversee peer support services as assigned by the Division Director.
• Maintain respectful, empathetic, and non-discriminatory interactions with all persons served.

The ideal candidate has strong interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to build trust with diverse populations, and a commitment to advocacy and empowerment. Experience in peer support or similar roles, knowledge of community resources, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential. Lived experience and Peer Support Specialist certification or training are preferred.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Full-Time, Probational

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

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 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:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Tanisha Alexander

MHSD Human Resources Business Partner

tanisha.alexander@mhsdla.org

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 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

CE: Communicating Effectively - How well do you share information and ideas in ways that others can understand, relate to, and act on?

• I communicate unclearly, use poor tone, and ignore the audience.
• I share main ideas clearly and adapt to the audience when reminded.
• I communicate clearly, listen actively, and explain complex ideas well.
• I craft messages that connect, inspire, and drive action across audiences.

02

CE: Communicating Effectively - 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

DR: Driving Results - How well do you set goals, stay focused, and follow through-especially when faced with challenges or competing demands?

• I struggle to set direction, miss deadlines, avoid challenges, or resist feedback.
• I set basic goals, make some progress, and accept feedback when supported.
• I set clear goals, stay focused, take ownership of results, and use feedback to improve.
• I set bold goals, lead progress, push through setbacks, and help others learn from challenges.

04

DR: Driving Results - 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

TCr: Thinking Critically - How do you analyze information and draw meaningful conclusions from it?

• I miss key details or oversimplify information, and my conclusions may not be based on evidence.
• I try to analyze information, but I may overlook the relevance or credibility of my sources.
• I analyze key information, consider the evidence, and form logical conclusions based on credible sources.
• I uncover deeper insights by connecting different sources, questioning assumptions, and identifying patterns.

06

TCr: Thinking Critically - 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