CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST TRAINEE/1/2/3 (HOME DEVELOPMENT) Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/newprint/5067280) Apply  CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST TRAINEE/1/2/3 (HOME DEVELOPMENT) Salary Depends on Qualifications Location Thibodaux, LA Job Type Classified Job Number 212552CWS3HD9325HS Department DCFS-Department of Children and Family Services Opening Date 09/04/2025 Closing Date 9/9/2025 11:59 PM Central + Description + Benefits + Questions About this Job Department MISSION DCFS is working to keep children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient, and providing safe refuge during disasters. Department VISION We care for the well-being and safety of Louisiana's people. Department VALUES 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're looking for a Child Welfare Specialist Trainee, 1, 2 or 3 to join our Child Welfare team in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The Child Welfare program works toward the safety and healthy development of children that offers a broad range of services, delivers these services in a sensitive manner and provides efficient, sophisticated, supportive and committed staff that supports this service. If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact—this could be the opportunity for you! Minimum Qualifications Three years of experience in child welfare; OR Six years of full-time work 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. 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 Specification The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be foundhere (https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=166730) . Job Duties and Other Information Job Duties: + Maintains a caseload of foster/adoptive homes, requiring highly specialized skills for diagnostic/assessment/intervention techniques. + Network/coordinate with resources in the community, agency, and stakeholders, and provide support and services to both the foster/adoptive parents and the agency staff to work towards the best interest of the children placed in these homes. + Recommends approval or denial of recertification for certified foster/adopt homes. + Develops, complies, and updates foster home availability lists regularly. + Provides support and assistance to the Foster Care Worker and/or Child Protection Investigator and/or supervisor during a time of crisis, such as disruption, or needing an emergency placement. + Offers assistance for placements afterhours as assigned by supervisor. + Recruits, trains, and supports foster/adoptive families. + Address client's questions and concerns. + Performs other duties as assigned for the smooth operation of the Department. 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: This position is located in the Lafourche Parish Child Welfare Office in Thibodaux, LA. Career Progression: As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled as a Child Welfare Specialist Trainee, Specialist 1, Specialist 2 or Specialist 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant. Compensation: The referenced positions have a Special Entrance Rate (SER) see below: + Child Welfare Specialist Trainee - SER: $ 1,649.60 bi-weekly (Pay Level SS-411) + Child Welfare Specialist 1 - SER: $ 1,764.80 bi-weekly (Pay Level SS-412) + Child Welfare Specialist 2 - SER: $1,820.80 bi-weekly (Pay Level SS-414) + Child Welfare Specialist 3 - SER: $1,948.00 bi-weekly (Pay Level SS-415) The referenced positions are also eligible for premium pay of up to $4.00 per hour for hours worked based on years of services within DCFS Child Welfare. In accordance with La. R.S. 46:51.2 the department shall conduct a State Central Registry (SCS) 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. 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. 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). 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: Hannah Sinagra DCFS Human Resources Hannah.Sinagra.DCFS@LA.GOV Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity tomake a differencethrough 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 athttps://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx 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 (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video (https://lasersonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Your\_Retirement\_System.mp4) to give you more detailed information about their system + Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org), + Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others 01 Which of the following choices most accurately describes your undergraduate education qualification related to the Child Welfare Specialist position? Please select all that apply. + A. A baccalaureate degree in social work. + B. A baccalaureate degree in psychology. + C. A baccalaureate degree in psychiatric nursing. + D. A baccalaureate degree is psychiatry. + E. A baccalaureate degree in mental health counseling. + F. A baccalaureate degree in rehabilitation counseling. + G. A baccalaureate degree in psychological counseling. + H. A baccalaureate degree in criminal justice. + I. A baccalaureate degree in sociology. + J. A baccalaureate degree in applied sociology. + K. A baccalaureate degree in human services counseling. + L. A baccalaureate degree in education with a concentration in special education. + M. A baccalaureate degree in family and consumer sciences with a concentration in child, family, and social services. + N. A baccalaureate degree in guidance and counseling. + O. A baccalaureate degree in human development counseling. + P. A baccalaureate degree in social services counseling. + Q. A baccalaureate degree in vocational rehabilitation. + R. A baccalaureate degree in human services. + S. A baccalaureate degree in a non-related field (not listed above). + T. I do not possess any of the degrees mentioned above. 02 If you selected any of the options A-S in the previous question, please indicate the type of degree, the university or governing institution, and the date awarded. If you indicated not having any of the degrees listed, please enter 'N/A' 03 Which of the following choices most accurately describes your graduate education qualification related to the Child Welfare Specialist position? Please select all that apply. + A. A master's degree in social work. + B. A master's degree in psychology. + C. A master's degree in psychiatric nursing. + D. A master's degree in psychiatry. + E. A master's degree in mental health counseling. + F. A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling. + G. A master's degree in psychological counseling. + H. A master's degree in criminal justice. + I. A master's degree in sociology. + J. A master's degree in applied sociology. + K. A master's degree in human services counseling. + L. A master's degree in education with a concentration in special education. + M. A master's degree in family and consumer sciences with a concentration in child, family and social services. + N. A master's degree in guidance and counseling. + O. A master's degree in human development counseling. + P. A master's degree in social services counseling. + Q. A master's degree in vocational rehabilitation. + R. A master's degree in human services. + S. A master's degree in a non-related field (not listed above). + T. I do not possess any of the degrees mentioned above. 04 If you selected any of the options A-S in the previous question, please indicate the type of degree, the university or governing institution, and the date awarded. If you indicated not having any of the degrees listed, please enter 'N/A'. 05 Please select any of the following certifications or licensure you have attained. + A. Certified Social Worker. + B. Licensure as a Licensed Master's Social Worker. + C. Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. + D. Registration as Counselor Intern by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. + E. Registration as Marriage and Family Therapy Intern by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. + F. Licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners. + G. Licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners. + H. Licensure as a Licensed Addiction Counselor by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. + I. Licensure as a Licensed Prevention Professional by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. + J. I do not possess any of the above licensure or certifications. 06 If you indicated that you possess one of the licenses or certifications in the above question, please provide the details of that achievement below (license/certificate #, issue date, and expiration date if applicable). If you indicated not having any of the licenses or certifications listed, please enter 'N/A'. 07 Please select any of the following social services fields in which you have previous professional work experience. + A. Psychiatric Nursing. + B. Special Education. + C. Substance Abuse Counseling. + D. Therapeutic Recreation. + E. Work with the Medicaid program. + F. Mental Health Treatment. + G. Rehabilitation Counseling. + H. Vocational Rehabilitation. + I. Juvenile Probation and Parole. + J. Adult Probation and Parole. + K. Child Support Enforcement. + L. Disaster Recovery/Relocation Assistance. + M. Housing Assistance Determinations. + N. Adoption Services/Counseling. + O. I do not have previous work experience in any of the program areas mentioned above. 08 If you selected any of the areas (A-N) in the above question, please describe your prior work experience in the areas you selected. Also include the employer(s) name and dates of service where this work was performed. If you do not have any of the work experience listed, enter 'N/A'. 09 Which of the following client populations do you have experience working with. Please select all that apply. + A. Adult or Juvenile Inmates/Offenders + B. The Homeless + C. The Developmentally Disabled + D. The Mentally Ill + E. The Chemically Dependent + F. Families/Children in Families + G. Victims of abuse + H. People from diverse/multicultural backgrounds + I. I do not have any previous work experience with any of the above populations. 10 If you selected any of the areas (A-H) in the above question, please describe your prior work experience in the areas you selected. Also include the employer(s) name and dates of service where this work was performed. If you do not have any of the work experience listed, enter 'N/A'. 11 How many years of experience do you have in Child Welfare? Please note that State Civil Service generally considers professional level Child Welfare experience to be providing services concerned with the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of children, particularly from effects of poverty or lacking consistent parental care and supervision; which was earned in a position that required at least the educational achievement of a baccalaureate degree. + A. I have no experience as described above. + B. I have some experience, but less than 1 year of experience as described above. + C. I have at least 1 year of experience, but less than 2 years of experience as described above. + D. I have at least 2 years of experience, but less than 3 years of experience as described above. + E. I have 3 or more years of experience as described above. 12 If you answered 'B', 'C', 'D', or 'E' to the above question, please tell us where in the work history portion of your electronic application that experience can be found (give employer names and dates of employment). If you selected 'A', please enter 'N/A'. 13 How many years of experience do you have in Social Work? Please note that State Civil Service generally considers professional level social work to be that work performed as a social worker after at least the educational achievement of a baccalaureate degree performing duties such as: interviewing/assessment of clients; case planning and management; and linking to community resources. + A. I have no experience as described above. + B. I have some experience, but less than 1 year of experience as described above. + C. I have at least 1 year of experience, but less than 2 years of experience as described above. + D. I have at least 2 years of experience, but less than 3 years of experience as described above. + E. I have 3 or more years of experience as described above. 14 If you answered 'B', 'C', 'D', or 'E' to the above question, please tell us where in the work history portion of your electronic application that experience can be found (give employer names and dates of employment). If you selected 'A', please enter 'N/A'. 15 Please select any of the following organizations you have previous volunteer experience with. + A. CASA + B. Crisis Hotlines + C. Women's Shelter + D. Boys & Girls Club + E. Big Brother/Big Sister + F. Homeless shelters + G. Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous programs + H. I do not have any previous volunteer experience with any of the above organizations. 16 If you selected any of the areas (A-G) in the above question, please describe your prior work experience in the areas you selected. Also include the organization(s)' name and dates of service where this work was performed. If you do not have any of the work experience listed, enter 'N/A'. 17 How would you rate your time management/organization skills? + Exceptional + Average + Needs improvement 18 Please explain or describe a specific example that demonstrates how you rated yourself on the above skill. 19 How would you rate your communication skills? + Exceptional + Average + Needs improvement 20 Please explain or describe a specific example that demonstrates how you rated yourself on the above skill. 21 How would you rate your ability to handle stressful situations? + Exceptional + Average + Needs improvement 22 Please explain or describe a specific example that demonstrates how you rated yourself on the above skill. 23 Please select all parishes in which you are willing to work: + LaFourche + Ascension + Terrebonne 24 Do you possess a valid Louisiana driver's license? + Yes + No 25 This position requires you to have access to a personal vehicle. Does this pose a problem? + Yes + No 26 Are you able to work on-call when required? + Yes + No 27 Are you available to work overtime if required? + Yes + No 28 Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent? + Yes + No Required Question Employer State of Louisiana Address For agency contact information, please refer to the supplemental information above. Louisiana State Civil Service, Louisiana, 70802 Phone (866) 783-5462 Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm Apply Please verify your email addressVerify Email