Closing Date: 29th October, 2025
Description:
About this Job: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.
Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health
The Louisiana Department of Health is seeking a skilled Attorney–Regional to serve as senior legal counsel for Region 2, focusing on the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System (ELMHS) campus in Jackson, LA. This role provides expert legal guidance on complex health law matters involving psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and forensic residential facilities. The Attorney–Regional supports key programs across Public Health, Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Adult Protective Services, helping shape decisions that impact communities statewide. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal professional to make a meaningful difference in Louisiana's public health system.
Minimum Qualifications:
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law plus four years of experience as a practicing attorney.
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:
- Provide highly technical legal advice, assistance, and consultation to the Executive Counsel, General Counsel, and Deputy General Counsels on complex and high-profile health law matters.
- Serve as senior legal counsel for LDH Region 2, focusing on 24-hour state psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and forensic supervised transitional residential aftercare (FSTRA) facilities on the ELMHS campus.
- Advise and represent LDH regional programs, including the Office of Public Health (OPH), Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), and Adult Protective Services (APS).
- Interpret and apply state and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing public health, behavioral health, and developmental disability programs.
- Prepare and review contracts, policies, and other legal documents to ensure compliance and minimize agency risk.
- Provide legal representation and administrative support in hearings, litigation, and other proceedings involving LDH facilities and contracted providers.
Position-Specific Details:
Location: Office of Secretary / Legal / East Baton Rouge Parish
Appointment Type: Probationary, Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months),
Cost Center: 3071070203
Position Number(s): 50557072
Compensation: This position is eligible for a Premium Pay of up to $2.00/hr for hours worked based on longevity.
Attorney-Regional - Special Entrance Rate (SER) of $36.66 hourly / $2,932.80 bi-weekly
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.
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.
