Program Specialist - Social Services

State of Louisiana • Baton Rouge, LA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections – Corrections Services is hiring a Program Specialist in Re-entry Services at its headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The role coordinates and oversees state identification card issuance for individuals transitioning from incarceration to the community, helping ensure timely access to identification needed for successful reentry. It serves as the primary liaison among the Department, the Office of Motor Vehicles, correctional facilities, local jails, regional reentry centers, and other state and federal agencies. The position also oversees identification card operations, staff productivity, inventory, reporting, and equipment implementation, and supports Intensive Incarceration Program operations, American Correctional Association compliance, employment verification requests, and strategic planning.

The employee works with correctional facility staff and administration, local jails and regional reentry centers, Facility Transition Specialists, Probation and Parole Regional Program Managers, judges, the Office of Adult Services, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, the Headquarters Business Office, and other departmental personnel. The position works for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Reentry.

The position may be appointed as a job appointment, which is temporary for up to four years, or may be filled as a probational appointment if a non-temporary position becomes available in the recruitment process. A permanent classified Louisiana State employee selected for a probationary appointment may be required to accept that appointment.

Requirements

• Five years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; or six years of full-time experience in any field plus two years of experience in administrative services, public health, social services, or health services; or a bachelor's degree plus two years of experience in those fields; or an advanced degree in a specified field plus one year of experience in those fields.
• Qualifying advanced degrees include a degree in social science, public health, counseling, social work, rehabilitation services, business, public administration, or health administration, or a Juris Doctorate.
• Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the six years of full-time work experience in any field, up to 120 semester hours and four years of substitution.
• Applicants must authorize the HR Office to contact prior employers for PREA reference checks by answering YES to the PREA question in the supplemental questions.
• Any qualifying experience based on college credit or hours must be supported by a transcript for verification.
• Degrees, certificates, special licenses, and DD-214 documentation must be officially verified before hire.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate state identification card requests and issuance for individuals releasing from state correctional facilities, local jails, and regional reentry centers.
• Verify release dates through CAJUN, review ORACLE release certificates, and coordinate with facility Transition Specialists and Probation and Parole Regional Program Managers to support reentry initiatives.
• Serve as the primary departmental contact for implementing, installing, and training staff on identification card equipment and stations in correctional facilities.
• Conduct site visits to DCI, EHCC, and RLCC to monitor operations, resolve issues, and support effective service delivery.
• Supervise and monitor the work production of three staff members assigned to state facilities.
• Track monthly identification card production for state facilities and regional reentry centers using the C-05-001 system and provide reports to the Headquarters Business Office.
• Maintain monthly inventory of identification cards and related supplies.
• Coordinate with judges and the Office of Adult Services regarding sentencing information, program recommendations, and CAJUN updates for the Intensive Incarceration Program.
• Review court minutes, uniform sentencing commitment orders, and suspect rap sheets to support program screening and eligibility determinations.
• Provide authorized employment-related verification of offenses and release dates to Homeland Security and verification entities, including TWIC, First Advantage, and S2Verify.
• Assist in developing strategic planning goals and securing documentation for selected American Correctional Association standards.
• Act as liaison between the Department and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders on identification card operations, compliance requirements, and reentry initiatives.

Benefits

• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Health insurance, also available after retirement.
• At least 10 paid holidays.
• Sick and annual leave that rolls over from year to year.
• Paid time off or accrued time for hours worked over 40 per week.
• Deferred compensation plan.
• Flexible benefits plan.
• Alternate work schedules; 4/10 schedules may be available for certain positions upon meeting policy requirements.
• Employee recognition programs, internal promotional opportunities, clear communication, and professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level