Social Service Counselor

Office of Juvenile Justice Acadiana Center for Youth-Bunkie

1536 Bordelon Rd., Bunkie, LA 71322

The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) is driven by a powerful mission: protecting the public while transforming the lives of youth through safe, effective, and individualized services that help them grow into productive, law‑abiding citizens. We are excited to welcome a compassionate, motivated, and skilled professional to join our team as a Social Service Counselor, playing a vital role in the rehabilitation and well‑being of youth in secure care.

In this impactful position, you will provide direct counseling and case management that supports each youth’s emotional, behavioral, and social development. Through meaningful one‑on‑one interventions, dynamic group facilitation, and collaborative treatment planning, you will help guide young people toward healthier choices and brighter futures.

• Demonstrating Accountability: Owns results, meets standards, and responds to feedback professionally.
• Focusing on Customers: Understands customer needs, communicates clearly, and delivers timely, reliable service.
• Making Accurate Judgments: Makes timely, well‑reasoned decisions using available info, context, and trade‑offs.
• Acting with Ethics and Integrity: Acts with integrity, respects confidentiality, and treats people fairly.
• Adapting to Change: Adjusts quickly and stays effective during change.

• 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 toward 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.

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.

• Provide individual and group counseling using behavior‑modification, reality‑based, and supportive therapeutic approaches.
• Collaborate with security, education, and clinical staff to develop a full profile of each youth.
• Represent youth in Reclassification, Code of Conduct, and other classification‑related meetings.
• Monitor PbS data quarterly and participate in in‑service training; serve as liaison across facility departments.
• Deliver targeted counseling for a designated dormitory population with significant behavioral and emotional challenges.
• Initiate, coordinate, and track psychiatric and psychological referrals; distribute clinical reports to relevant departments.
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate multidisciplinary groups and programs (substance abuse, crisis counseling, Thinking for a Change, pro‑social skills, victim awareness, LAMOD, family groups, regional staffings).
• Prepare progress reports, closing summaries, and correspondence for courts, probation, parole, and other agencies.
• Make recommendations for early release, step‑down placement, or transfer to more secure settings when appropriate.
• Maintain complete and accurate case records, including counseling notes, visitation updates, custody levels, and required documentation for courts and families.
• Support dormitory operations by assisting the Group Leader with daily routines, youth needs, activities, and informal staff oversight; represent supervisory staff when needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including Social Services Counselor responsibilities.

Work Location: Acadiana Center for Youth in Bunkie, Louisiana.

Appointment Type: Full‑time Probational, Promotional, Detail to Special Duty, or Job Appointment.

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

Security Clearance: 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).

The Office of Juvenile Justice is a State a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment‑related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resource Guide.

Prior to an appointment, the selected applicant must take and pass a drug screening test, possess a valid Louisiana Driver’s License, and clear a background check.

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