Social Service Counselor 1 Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/newprint/5070479) Apply  Social Service Counselor 1 Salary $2,784.00 - $5,009.00 Monthly Location New Orleans, LA Job Type Classified Job Number 212613 Department Metropolitan Human Services District Opening Date 09/05/2025 Closing Date 9/10/2025 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. Our Commitment: We are committed to providing inclusive, respectful, and empowering services. All persons served will be treated with dignity and without discrimination, regardless of their disabilities or circumstances. We're currently hiring a passionate and dedicated Social Service Counselor 1 to join our team—apply today and make a meaningful impact in your community! We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Social Service Counselor (Peer Specialist) to join our Advocacy Division. This role plays a vital part in supporting individuals with behavioral health disabilities by helping them access essential community-based resources and services. The Peer Specialist will be instrumental in improving client outcomes through effective care coordination, peer support, and resource navigation. AN IDEAL CANIDATE SHOULD POSESS THE FOLLLOWING COMPETENCIES: Communicating Effectively:The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas. Driving Results: The ability to identify important goals and work to achieve them. Making Accurate Judgments:The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards. Thinking Critically:The ability to objectively question, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information to form a conclusion. Demonstrating Accountability:The ability to accept ownership for your actions, behaviors, performance, and decisions. Demonstrating Persistence:The ability to achieve goals by overcoming adversity. Demonstrating Self-Awareness: The ability to manage your personality, behavior, skills, and emotions. Leading Change: The ability to initiate, manage, influence, and evaluate change. Minimum Qualifications Three years of social services experience; OR Six years of full-time 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: 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 (https://apps01.civilservice.louisiana.gov/onestopjobinfo/DisplayJobSpec.aspx?JobCode=106750) . Job Duties and Other Information Job Duties: + 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. An ideal candidate will possess: + Experience working with individuals with behavioral health and/or addiction disorders (lived experience preferred). + Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to engage and build trust with diverse populations. + Excellent research and analytical skills to identify and evaluate appropriate resources. + Customer service-oriented with a strong commitment to advocacy and empowerment. + Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment. + Prior experience in peer support or similar counseling roles. + Knowledge of local community resources and behavioral health services. + Certification or training as a Peer Support Specialist is a plus. Position-Specific Details: Appointment Type:Probational, Promotional, Detail to Special Duty, or Job Appointment. Compensation: Salary depends on qualifications. See job specifications for the expected pay range. New Hire Information: Required to complete employment eligibility verification through E-Verify. E-Verify is a federal program that confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. For more information, please contact the Department of Homeland Security at 1-888-897-7781 or visitwww.uscis.gov/e-verify. How To Apply: No Civil Service test scoreis 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 notbe 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 Metropolitan Human Services District 3100 General De Gaulle Dr. New Orleans, LA 70114 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 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 DR: Rate your ability to drive results based on our definition: The ability to identify important goals and work to achieve them. + 1= I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable driving results + 2= I have limited experience or require assistance to drive results + 3= I can drive results + 4= I can drive results and help others improve their ability to drive results 02 DR: Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below. 03 MAJ: Rate your ability to make accurate judgments based on our definition: The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards. + 1= I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable making accurate judgments + 2= I have limited experience or require assistance to make accurate judgments + 3= I can make accurate judgments + 4= I can make accurate judgments and help others improve their ability to make accurate judgments 04 MAJ: Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below. 05 TCr: Rate your ability to think critically based on our definition: The ability to objectively question, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information to form a conclusion. + 1= I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable thinking critically + 2= I have limited experience or require assistance to think critically + 3= I can think critically + 4= I can think critically and help others improve their ability to think critically 06 TCr: Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below. 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