Closing Date: 14th July, 2026
Description:
About this Job:The Office of Mental Health Advocacy Service has a vacancy.
Our mission is to ensure that our clients' voices are heard and that they receive every right and remedy afforded to them under the law.
Our goal is to provide high-quality legal counsel and representation to our clients, address systemic issues that affect the rights of more than one client and require a remedy, act as a clearinghouse for information relative to adults and children with mental health diagnoses and children in need of care, and provide training to various individuals/agencies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.
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
Job Duties:
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: This vacancy may be filled by a job appointment, which is temporary in nature, not to exceed 48 months. If filled as a job appointment, the position may be converted to a probational appointment, provided a vacant position becomes available, and funding is available.
Career Progression: This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as an Attorney 1, 2, or 3.
Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.
Applicants with experience working with juveniles and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities are encouraged to apply.
This position is responsible for providing legal representation for abused and neglected children and also for children and/or adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders, in the Baton Rouge Region and surrounding area. This position is full-time. Establishing or continuing an outside practice is prohibited while being employed in this agency.
Candidate must possess a valid driver's license as well as a valid law license in the State of Louisiana. Travel is required.
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.
A criminal history check may be conducted on all new hires as well as employees changing positions, including promotions, demotions, details, reassignments, and transfers.
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
- Fulfills duties of loyalty, confidentiality, advocacy, and competent representation to clients.
- Identifies and seeks to obtain appropriate resources for clients.
- Avoids creating and attempts to reduce delays in CINC proceedings and advocates for timely permanence for the child.
- Advises the child about the case, the child's rights, the court system, the proceedings, counsel's role, expectations of the legal process, the risks and benefits of possible courses of action, and other relief; determines the client's desires and preferences in a developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner.
- Engages in regular and meaningful communication with the child, including, but not limited to, face-to-face meetings with the child at the child's placement and/or other locations outside of the courthouse.
- Travels by personal vehicle to court, to meet with clients, to staff meetings, and to other required locations.
- Conducts thorough, continuing, and independent investigations and discovery, including but not limited to: Reviewing social service, psychiatric, psychological, drug and alcohol, medical, law enforcement, school, court, DSS, provider, and other records of the child.
- Interviews individuals involved with the child; reviews relevant evidence; and attends treatment, placement, and administrative hearings; other proceedings involving legal issues; and school conferences or staffing as needed.
- Attends treatment, placement, administrative hearings, and school conferences or staffing as needed.
- Presents evidence, direct and cross-examines witnesses, offers exhibits, and provides independent evidence as necessary. Decides whether to call the child as a witness and ensures that the child is prepared to testify.
- Collects data required by the IV-E program, documents changes in client status per IV-E, compiles and organizes IV-E indicators and reasons for client changes, and updates support staff weekly on changes regarding every client on caseload.
- Complies with Supreme Court of Louisiana requirements to practice law in Louisiana, including, but not limited to, education requirements to represent children in abuse and neglect cases.
- Develops a strategy for the implementation of systems improvements in the protection of patient rights and the rights of children.
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: This vacancy may be filled by a job appointment, which is temporary in nature, not to exceed 48 months. If filled as a job appointment, the position may be converted to a probational appointment, provided a vacant position becomes available, and funding is available.
Career Progression: This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as an Attorney 1, 2, or 3.
Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.
Applicants with experience working with juveniles and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities are encouraged to apply.
This position is responsible for providing legal representation for abused and neglected children and also for children and/or adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders, in the Baton Rouge Region and surrounding area. This position is full-time. Establishing or continuing an outside practice is prohibited while being employed in this agency.
Candidate must possess a valid driver's license as well as a valid law license in the State of Louisiana. Travel is required.
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.
A criminal history check may be conducted on all new hires as well as employees changing positions, including promotions, demotions, details, reassignments, and transfers.
Also, prospective employees may be subject to pre-employment drug testing. New hires will be subject to employment eligibility verification via the federal government's E-Verify system.
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.
Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.
For further information about this posting, please contact:
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.
Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.
For further information about this posting, please contact:
Erica R. Gay
HR Specialist
Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources
email: Erica.Gay@la.gov
HR Specialist
Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources
email: Erica.Gay@la.gov
