About this Job
Metropolitan Human Services District is 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, addiction disorders, and developmental disabilities services to our area. MHSD serves adults, children, and families of Orleans, Plaquemine, and St. Bernard Parishes. 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.
Join Our Team at Metropolitan Human Services District – Addiction Services Department
Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD) is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Addiction Counselor to join our Addiction Services Department. This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced professional committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by addictive disorders.
As a Social Service Counselor 5-A in this role, you will provide independent, professional counseling services with a focus on clients facing specialized, complex, or co-occurring disorders. A certification in gambling counseling is highly preferred, and experience working with children and youth affected by addictive disorders is a significant plus.
If you’re passionate about recovery and want to be part of a team that values clinical excellence, client-centered care, and community impact—this position could be the right fit for you.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice as a Licensed Addiction Counselor by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA) plus three years of counseling experience.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
The Social Service Counselor 5-A will apply advanced clinical, educational, and managerial skills to develop and maintain clinical protocols that ensure high-quality, person-centered care delivered by professional staff.
This role requires expertise in addictive disorders treatment, along with strong clinical judgment, decision-making, and analytical abilities. The candidate must also have basic computer proficiency.
Key responsibilities include:
Applying adult learning principles to teach and influence others in effective addiction treatment practices
Recommending improvements to clinical protocols and systems based on analysis and best practices
- Working independently while managing priorities and maintaining strict confidentiality
- Collaborating effectively with administrative leaders, clinical professionals, and contract staff as needed
The ideal candidate is a proactive professional with the ability to lead, educate, and support a multidisciplinary team in providing compassionate, evidence-based addiction services.
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: Probational
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 visit www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
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.
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 the position 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. 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
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 at https://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.
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 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
