Skip to content
Search Public Health Job Opportunities Across The Nation

Explore national fellowship and internship opportunities

The list includes opportunities with governmental public health agencies, nonprofits organizations, global health initiatives, and more. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, national programs affiliated with the Centers of Disease Control and Preventions (CDC).

Adult Protection Specialist 1-3





The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.



Make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable adults by joining the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Aging and Adult Services as an Adult Protective Services Specialist. This impactful role provides the opportunity to protect and advocate for adults facing abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other high-risk situations through investigations, assessments, crisis intervention, and service coordination. The position works closely with law enforcement, legal professionals, healthcare providers, and community partners to help ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of individuals across Louisiana. If you are compassionate, analytical, and driven to make a real impact through advocacy and protective services, we encourage you to apply!

Requirements

Four years of social services experience; OR

Six years of full-time work experience plus one year of social services experience; OR

A bachelor's degree plus one year of social services experience; OR

A master's degree in social work, a social science, education, counseling or vocational rehabilitation.

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.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties:
  • The incumbent must adhere to the profession's ethical standards and abide by departmental and office policies and procedures.
  • The incumbent is primarily assigned to one LDH region. However, when workload demands, the incumbent may occasionally be required to work in other regions. General supervision is provided from an Adult Protection Specialist Supervisor.
  • The position requires a thorough knowledge of laws and regulations relating to abuse of vulnerable adults, social work principles, and specific circumstances of persons with disabilities, community resources, crisis intervention skills, and the ability to work with persons of different cultures and ethnic groups, and values.
  • Investigative, analytical, decision-making, critical thinking, and case management functions are required at the skilled professional level. Insightful, independent judgment is required. The position requires the ability to function in adversarial conditions, defuse volatile or hostile situations, and may involve exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous conditions.
  • The incumbent must communicate effectively, both written and orally, with vulnerable and disabled individuals, healthcare professionals, social service providers, law enforcement, district attorneys, the courts, charitable organizations, churches, and clients with special communication needs. The position requires extensive travel within and outside the domicile's official region, often in high crime and/or isolated, remote areas.
  • A valid driver's license and personal means of transportation are required. A criminal background check may be required. Incumbents must adhere to the LDH and OAAS Telework Policies. Incumbents may be required to serve on-call in specific situations or when scheduled on a rotating basis. Work may be required outside the traditional 40-hour work week.
  • The incumbent may be required to present investigative information and outcomes and/or testify in court regarding cases. The position requires computer skills, including the ability to download, upload, copy, and save computer files, write narratives, and enter data into an electronic database system. A preferred qualification is proficiency in Microsoft Office software programs.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of Aging & Adult Services / OAAS - Headquarters / East Baton Rouge Parish

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary appointment

Cost Center: 3201033002

Position Number(s): 50691424

Career Progression:  This position may be filled as an Adult Protection Specialist 1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

Compensation: This position is eligible for Premium Pay of additional $2.00/hr for hours worked.

 

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 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.


For information on how to check your application status and understand status updates, please click HERE.


Contact Information:

Patricia Walker

Patricia.Walker.DCFS@la.gov

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477


This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218. 


LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. 


Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.


LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.

Date Posted
05/11/2026
Job Reference
OAAS/PAW/220982
Organization
LDH-Office of Aging & Adult Services
Location
Baton Rouge, LA
Category
Mental Health/Social Services
Apply Back

Connect with Local, State, and Territorial Health Departments

To find local governmental public health jurisdictions, see - www.naccho.org