Louisiana Department of
Public Safety & Corrections –
Corrections Services
www.doc.louisiana.gov
LOUISIANA STATE PENITENTIARY
Angola, LA
At the Louisiana Department of Corrections, our mission is to promote public safety and strengthen communities through fair, professional, and responsive corrections services. We are committed to protecting the people of Louisiana with integrity, accountability, and a deep respect for the rights and dignity of all.
This is an opportunity to become part of a dedicated team supporting public safety, working in a correctional facility where professionalism, resilience, and teamwork are essential.
The Louisiana State Penitentiary is currently seeking a motivated and compassionate professional to serve as a Professional Counselor 1, 2, or 3, or 4– Mental Health, an important position dedicated to supporting the mental health needs of individuals housed within the facility. This role plays a critical part in promoting stability, rehabilitation, and overall well-being within the correctional environment.
As Louisiana’s largest correctional institution, Louisiana State Penitentiary depends on skilled professionals who are committed to providing quality services while working in a challenging and secure environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong clinical judgment, professionalism, and the ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support both institutional safety and the mental health needs of the inmate population.
In this role, the incumbent will perform advanced professional social work duties involving the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of inmates with mental health needs. Responsibilities include providing case management, conducting mental health assessments, developing treatment plans, and coordinating services with medical, security, and administrative staff to ensure appropriate care and compliance with departmental policies and standards. The Professional Counselor 1, 2, 3, or 4 will also contribute to maintaining a safe, structured, and rehabilitative environment within the institution. Why work for DOC?
- Culture: DOC values and supports employees through numerous recognition programs, creating a sense of community, prioritizing internal promotional opportunities, clear communication, and professional development.
- Growth: Professional growth is encouraged at DOC through numerous avenues.
- Benefits: DOC offers a generous benefits package including; a defined benefit pension plan, health insurance that is also available post-retirement, at least 10 paid holidays, sick and annual leave that rolls over from year to year, paid or time off accrued for hours worked over 40 per week, a deferred compensation plan, a flexible benefits plan, alternate work schedules etc. Alternative work schedules including 4/10’s MAY be an available benefit for certain positions upon meeting the policy requirements.
Please visit our website by clicking here to learn more about DOC, our facilities, and our mission.
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice as a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) or a Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT).The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.Job Duties:
- A portion of these inmates suffer from mental disorders ranging from minor adjustment problems to major mental health disorders including addiction disorders. Management of suicidal inmates requires that the incumbent possess the knowledge, skill, attitude, and ability to recognize the symptoms of potentially suicidal individuals and follow proper procedures to ensure their safety.
- Supervises and provides the implementation and coordination of counseling services at LSP. This includes assessments and treatment referrals of all inmates in LSP abuse programs. These professional capabilities of the counselling services are defined by the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners in Rule (LAC 46:LX.503.o).
- Supervise and implement the following duties including treatment plans, case management, treatment progress evaluations, counselling services based on inmates' individual needs, and providing evidence-based curriculum programs approved by supervisors of LSP program.
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: PROBATION, or PROMOTION OF A PERMANENT, CLASSIFIED LOUISIANA STATE EMPLOYEE
- Current permanent status classified LA State employees may be required to accept a probational appointment if accepted.
- An employee selected for a promotion may be required to serve a trial detail prior to being permanently promoted.
- This posting may also be used to fill a vacancy as a temporary job appointment. If filled as a temporary job appointment, should a permanent position become available, the employee may be converted to a probational appointment.
Compensation: This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER) at each level. However, the salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
- Professional Counselor 1 has an SER of $ 23.75 per hour
- Professional Counselor 2 has an SER of $ 25.42 per hour
- Professional Counselor 3 has an SER of $ 27.20 per hour
Career Progression Group: PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR 1, 2, 3, or 4
- Filled at the highest level of experience of the selected applicant.
- Salary depends on level of experience.
Other Important Information:
- IMPORTANT: In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of DPS&C-Corrections Services to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), to be considered for employment, by answering ‘YES’ to the PREA question.
- Any degree, certificate, special license, or DD-214 must be verified by official documentation prior to hire.
- Any qualifying experience that is based on college credit/college hours should have an accompanying transcript for verification.
- This is a 24-hour facility.
- This Agency is a Drug Free Workplace.
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 the 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.
- There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed. The hiring supervisor/manager has 90 days from the closing date of the announcement to make a hiring decision. Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected.
- To view and apply to any of our other postings we currently have available, click HERE.
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections - Corrections Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any non-merit factor including disability.
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Chassity Rheams
Human Resources Department
Chassity.Rheams@la.gov
Ph: (225) 655-2056
Fax: (225) 342-5968